St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s to Honor 1974-75 Team as “Pioneers of the Game” on Saturday
1/17/2025 10:45:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The athletic department will welcome back first-ever team during tomorrow’s game against Villanova
QUEENS, N.Y.– The St. John's women's basketball program is honored to welcome back its first-ever team as the program's "Pioneers of the Game" to be recognized during tomorrow's contest against Villanova at 2 p.m.
As the program celebrates its 50th anniversary, many members of the first-ever 1974-75 women's basketball team and Head Coach Vickie Kresse will return to be celebrated with an on-court presentation after the first quarter of tomorrow's contest against Villanova.
All alumni will be welcome back as the program celebrates its storied 50-year history that features 842 career wins, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, four BIG EAST Championships and 18 postseason appearances since 1983.
"The history of the program is significant when you think about 50 years and how far the game has come," Head Coach Joe Tartamella said. "For us, to celebrate and welcome back the players who have come though the program is truly special."
After becoming a varsity sport in 1974, the women's basketball played its first-ever game as an NCAA Division I program on Nov. 26 of that year against Adelphi. The squad logged a winning record of 10-8 in its inaugural season and competed in NYSAIAW Tournament.
The roster from the first-ever team includes three St. John's Athletics Hall of Famers in Dorothy 'Dottie" Giordano Pace, Sue Bretthauer and Kathy Meehan. Head Coach Vickie Kresse spent five years at the helm in Queens tallying an 100-43 (.699) record during her tenure
The Pioneers of the Game award was established in 2023 to honor individuals who helped shape the women's basketball program and whose contributions have left a lasting impact in paving the way for future successes.
As the program celebrates its 50th anniversary, many members of the first-ever 1974-75 women's basketball team and Head Coach Vickie Kresse will return to be celebrated with an on-court presentation after the first quarter of tomorrow's contest against Villanova.
All alumni will be welcome back as the program celebrates its storied 50-year history that features 842 career wins, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, four BIG EAST Championships and 18 postseason appearances since 1983.
"The history of the program is significant when you think about 50 years and how far the game has come," Head Coach Joe Tartamella said. "For us, to celebrate and welcome back the players who have come though the program is truly special."
After becoming a varsity sport in 1974, the women's basketball played its first-ever game as an NCAA Division I program on Nov. 26 of that year against Adelphi. The squad logged a winning record of 10-8 in its inaugural season and competed in NYSAIAW Tournament.
The roster from the first-ever team includes three St. John's Athletics Hall of Famers in Dorothy 'Dottie" Giordano Pace, Sue Bretthauer and Kathy Meehan. Head Coach Vickie Kresse spent five years at the helm in Queens tallying an 100-43 (.699) record during her tenure
The Pioneers of the Game award was established in 2023 to honor individuals who helped shape the women's basketball program and whose contributions have left a lasting impact in paving the way for future successes.
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