WASHINGTON (January 30, 2024) – Howard University Women's Basketball has a tremendously rich tradition. From the trophy cases in Burr Gymnasium filled with glistening reminders to the banners hanging proudly from the arena's rafters, there is a lot of physical proof of that tradition.
 
Saturday, February 3, the Bison will celebrate the people who made it happen, welcoming back former players, managers, coaches, staff and more to a 50^th Anniversary Celebration.
 
"The goal of the weekend is inclusivity and welcoming back our alumni," said Howard Director of Athletics Kery Davis. "The first 50 years of this program represent some of the most athletically successful in Howard's history. We are so proud of this program and its players, both past and present. We want to welcome home all our Bison as we honor them at halftime of the UMES game."
 
The event, to be held that afternoon in the newly renovated practice facility in Burr Gym, will begin at 4:30 p.m., following the Howard women's basketball game vs. University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).
 
It is part of the Howard Women's Basketball Alumni Day and National Girls and Women in Sports Day Celebration. The day begins with an open shoot around with Howard Women's Basketball at 9 a.m. At 2 p.m., the Lady Bison will take on UMES, while nearly 90 women's basketball alumni will be recognized at halftime of the matchup.
 
Timeline
 
9 a.m. - Shootaround with the HU Women's Basketball team
 
2 p.m. - Game vs. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
 
Halftime - Alumni Recognition
 
4:30 p.m. - Post-Game Reception
 
The lead donors for the 50^th Anniversary are Alisha Hill-Gigger (c/o '98), Aneta Robinson-Burton (c/o '90), Bruce H. Williams (c/o '74), Donna Wood (c/o '83), The Honorable Larry Banks (c/o '71), Leslie Norris McFarland (c/o '77), Robin Duncan-Chisolm (c/o '86), Howard Women's Basketball Class of 2013, and Vanessa Graham-Jenkins.
 
"It is important to celebrate such a special time for the Lady Bison because they have embodied resilience, leadership and winning at Howard and beyond," Head Women's Basketball Coach Ty Grace said. "I sincerely thank those that have come before me in this program and have enabled me to be a part of a distinguished and accomplished group of women on and off the court."
 
Throughout its 50 years of excellence, the program has become one of the top programs in HBCU history:

• Howard was the first team in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) history to participate in the NCAA Tournament in 1982 and is the only team in conference history to have won an NCAA Tournament game, winning the inaugural women's First Four game against Incarnate Word in 2022.
• Howard is the only HBCU with multiple players drafted to the WNBA: Denique Graves (1997); Karen Wilkins (1998) and Andrea Gardner (2002).
• Howard has won 11 MEAC tournament championships, along with eight regular-season championships.
• The program has featured nine different MEAC Player of the Year award winners, three MEAC Coach of the Year award winners and four MEAC Rookie of the Year award winners in its history.
• Former guard Saadia Doyle (2009-13) is the MEAC's all-time leading scorer with 2,310 career points. Doyle also finished her career as the conference's all-time leader in free throws and is eighth in career rebounds.
• Alisha Hill (1994-98) led the NCAA in rebounds during the 1997-98 season with an average of 13.2 per game.
• Andrea Gardner (1999-02) led the NCAA in rebounds during the 2000-01 campaign with 14.2 per game.
• Legendary coach Sanya Tyler (1980-00) coached the most wins in Howard history (over 270), as well as the most MEAC tournament championships (eight) and regular season championships (five). Coach Tyler was the only coach in MEAC and HBCU history to defeat four Power 5 schools: Maryland; NC State; Rutgers and Minnesota.

 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.