March is upon us and the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament, commonly known as March Madness, has a rich and fascinating history dating back to its inception in 1982. Since then, the tournament has grown in size and popularity, and has provided a platform for talented women's basketball players to showcase their skills on a national stage.
Before the NCAA took over the administration of the tournament, there were several organizations that sponsored women's basketball tournaments, including the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) and the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). The AIAW held a national championship from 1972 to 1982, but when the NCAA began sponsoring a women's basketball tournament in 1982, it quickly became the premier event in women's college basketball.
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Over the years, the tournament has seen some of the sport's most memorable moments and legendary players, including Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, and many others. It has also played a key role in the development and growth of women's basketball, helping to increase its visibility and popularity across the United States.
Today, the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is one of the most anticipated events in college sports, drawing millions of viewers and fans from around the world. It remains a testament to the skill, determination, and passion of the women's college basketball community, and a celebration of the power and potential of women's athletics.
Here is a brief look through the years:
1982-1990: The Early Years
The first NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament took place in 1982 and featured just 32 teams. Louisiana Tech, led by future Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon, won the inaugural championship by defeating Cheyney State in the title game. The early years of Women's March Madness were marked by the dominance of the University of Southern California (USC) and Louisiana Tech. USC won the first two NCAA women's basketball championships in 1982 and 1983, while Louisiana Tech won the next two in 1984 and 1985. In the years that followed, the tournament continued to grow and expand, eventually reaching 64 teams in 1994.
1991-2000: The Dawn of a Dynasty
During the 1990s, the University of Connecticut emerged as a dominant force in women's college basketball, winning national championships in 1995 and 2000. Led by Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma and superstar players like Rebecca Lobo, Kara Wolters, and Diana Taurasi, the Huskies set a new standard of excellence in the sport. This era also marked the peak of rival Tennessee when Pat Summitt's teams won three back-to-back national championships from 1996-1998, capping the run off with a perfect 39-0 record in 1998 and producing one of the best rivalries in college sports history in the process.
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2001-2010: A Decade of Parity
The early 2000s saw a shift in the balance of power in women's college basketball, as more teams began to challenge UConn's dominance. Teams like Duke and Baylor emerged as contenders for the national championship, and several new programs, such as Maryland and Notre Dame, also rose to prominence.
2011-Present: A New Era of Dominance and Visibility
Since 2011, the University of Connecticut has reestablished itself as the premier program in women's college basketball, winning six national championships over a span of eight years. However, other programs, such as South Carolina and Baylor, have also emerged as title contenders, and the tournament has become increasingly competitive and unpredictable. During this timeframe, the NCAA also offered use of the iconic March Madness trademark to the women's for the first time ever as the brand was previously exclusively reserved for the men's tournament–with better branding efforts and more eyes on women's college basketball players in the NIL era, we are living in a era of historic media growth in women's college basketball.
Throughout its history, the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has provided a platform for talented women's basketball players to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level. The tournament has also played a crucial role in the growth and development of women's college basketball, helping to increase the visibility and popularity of the sport. Today, March Madness continues to be one of the most popular and exciting events in women's college sports, attracting fans from across the country and around the world.
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* Originally published on March 8, 2023, by Kelly Wick
