Austin College Set to Celebrate Sweet Sixteen Teams and Basketball Alumni

The Austin College men's and women's basketball teams and athletics department will be hosting an Alumni Celebration on Sunday, January 22, while honoring the women's basketball program's back-to-back Sweet Sixteen appearances in 1996-97 and 1997-98.

In conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the 1996-97 team's historic season, in which the 'Roos went 24-4 and advanced all the way to the Sweet Sixteen in the NAIA National Tournament, the athletics department will be recognizing members of that team at halftime of the women's basketball team's game that day against Southwestern University, which tips off at 12:00 p.m.

The following season, the 'Roos returned to the Sweet Sixteen, this time in the NCAA Tournament in the college's first year as an NCAA institution. That year's team went 21-7, and captured what was the second of three consecutive conference championships.

Also on January 22, the athletics department and head men's and women's basketball coaches Rodney Wecker and Michelle Filander will be hosting a reception for both of their program's alumni as part of Alumni Celebration Day. Refreshments will be available in the Slats McCord A-Room, and all alumni are invited back to campus to root on the 'Roos as they take on the Pirates in a pair of Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference games, with the men's game following the women at 2:00 p.m.

Due to scheduling conflicts, this year the 'Roo men's and women's basketball teams will be unable to host an alumni game, but coaches Wecker and Filander hope that all of our basketball alums will be able to make the trip to Sherman to visit with old friends and teammates, and help us celebrate the reunion of two of the Austin College women's basketball program's most successful campaigns.

At halftime of the men's basketball game, Austin College will also recognize the 2015-16 Kangaroo women's basketball team, which had its own historic season. Last year, the 'Roos were regular season Co-Champions in the SCAC, marking the first time in the program's history that they've won a conference title.

Those wishing to attend Alumni Celebration Day should RSVP to Julie Travis at 903.813.2499 or by email at jutravis@austincollege.edu.

We hope to see you there!

GO 'ROOS!