PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's basketball has officially established the "Knights of Honor" this season to recognize players and teams that made significant contributions to Rutgers Women's Basketball.
The historic 1982, 2000 and 2007 teams will be a part of the inaugural "Knights of Honor" class.
"How wonderful it is to recognize these teams who have done so much to contribute to our women's basketball legacy," head coach Coquese Washington said. "The greatness that lies before us as a program is a direct reflection of the excellence that symbolizes our past."
Since their first season in 1974, the Scarlet Knights have proven they are a nationally elite program with a tradition of success. The program has appeared in 26 NCAA Tournaments in addition to four Sweet Sixteens, five Elite Eights, two Final Fours, one National Championship game and an AIAW National Championship. The "Knights of Honor" will recognize these achievements and the mark the teams have left on the program.
The three teams will be celebrated on Sunday, Jan. 21 as Rutgers takes on Michigan at 2 p.m. as part of the 50 seasons celebration. The "Knights of Honor" will be celebrated with pregame autographs as well as a pregame ceremony.
RU will welcome back both Letterwinners and fans "On The Banks" during the weekend for various events, activities and giveaways celebrating 50 years of Rutgers women's basketball.
Rutgers just launched its 50 seasons website, where you can scroll through photo and video galleries, check out a timeline of the program's history, view archives statistics and Alumni Spotlights. Fans can also submit their favorite Scarlet Knights memory from through the years. You can access all this information and more here.
The "Knights of Honor" will be immortalized in Jersey Mike's Arena along with RU's three retired jerseys - #45 June Olkowski, #33 Sue Wicks and #25 Cappie Pondexter.
1982 Team
The 1982 Rutgers women's basketball team put together a 25-7 overall mark culminating with the AIAW National Championship. Led by a strong senior contingent of June Olkowski Mary and Patty Coyle, Patty Delehanty and Terry Dorner, the Lady Knights defeated powerhouse Texas, 83-77, for the title. In the championship game at the Palestra in Philadelphia, MVP Patty Coyle scored a career-high 30 points while Dorner added 25. Following the season, Olkowski, who averaged 14.6 points and 7.6 rebounds during her illustrious RU career, became only the second Rutgers player to be named a Kodak All-American and would later become the first Lady Knight women's basketball player to have her jersey retired.

2000 Team
The 1999-2000 Scarlet Knights advanced to the team's first ever Final Four in the NCAA Tournament, posting a 26-8 overall record and a 12-4 mark in the BIG EAST to finish tied for third place in the regular-season standings. The Scarlet Knights advanced to the final of the BIG EAST Tournament before receiving a second seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament and the right to host the first two rounds. Rutgers defeated top-15 ranked teams in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph's in Piscataway before moving on to the West Regional in Portland, Ore. RU went onto defeat UAB 60-45 in the semifinals, then upset top-seeded Georgia 59-51 in the regional final, punching the team's ticket for the Final Four in Philadelphia.

2007 Team
The Rutgers 2006-07 team advanced to its first-ever NCAA National Championship game in program history. RU (27-9), the No. 4 seed in the Greensboro Region, knocked off East Carolina, Michigan State, Duke, Arizona State and LSU en route to the title tilt against top-ranked Tennessee. The Scarlet Knights also claimed their first BIG EAST Championship during the same campaign, defeating UConn, 55-47. Both Essence Carson and Kia Vaughn were named AP Honorable Mention All-Americans, Kodak/ WBCA Regional All-Americans, First Team All-Big East selections and Wade Trophy candidates as some of the top players in the nation.

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