Welcome to Our Indiana’s first ever Throwback Thursday!

We start off with the AIAW Final Four Women’s basketball team (1973). This team also had two Elite Eight appearances (1972, 1974).

The women’s basketball team, under head coach Bea Gordon did not officially become a varsity sport until 1971 and accomplished making the Final Four and Elite Eight appearances without scholarships, program, and facility support. Not only did Coach Gordon drive the women to most of the away games, they also were responsible for washing their own uniforms, packing their own meals, and many times sleeping on the gym floors of where they were playing.

This year IU celebrated the 40th anniversary of that amazing team. In January, a luncheon was held honoring these wonderful athletes and coach, some of which had not seen each other since those basketball days. It was heartwarming to see how much they truly were excited to be back at IU, excited to be recognized and honored, and just thrilled to be in each other’s presence again. Later that evening, the team was recognized during the IU men’s basketball game. The following day, at the IU women’s basketball game a new banner honoring the 1973 Final Four team was raised during halftime. Way to go Hoosiers!