WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its 1999 NCAA National Championship, the Purdue women's basketball team will wear a commemorative patch on its jerseys during the 2023-24 season.
The Boilermakers will feature the patch on their white, black and gold uniforms this year. Click here to see a gallery of the designed patch.
Purdue will welcome the national championship team back to Mackey Arena for a 25-year anniversary celebration on Nov. 12 against Southern.
"We wanted to honor the greatest team in Purdue history and carry them with us throughout the season," head coach Katie Gearlds said. "The 1999 champions are legends to us. They set the standard for every Boilermaker who has come after them. Having a member of that team in Kelly Komara back home on our staff has helped our players understand the dedication and hard work it takes to lead Purdue to the top of the college basketball world. We are excited to celebrate the only women's basketball national championship in Big Ten history, as well as honor the many achievements these women have made after their time at Purdue over the last 25 years."
Under head coach Carolyn Peck, the 1998-99 Boilermakers claimed the Big Ten Tournament and regular season titles in addition to the national championship. Purdue finished the year with a 34-1 record overall and a perfect 16-0 mark in Big Ten play. The Boilermakers dominated opposition, scoring 76.5 points per game and averaging a winning margin of 16.8 points.
Purdue finished a perfect 10-0 against AP-ranked opponents, starting with a memorable season-opening win over No. 1 and three-time defending national champion Tennessee to end the Lady Vols' 46-game winning streak. After picking up the Big Ten double, the Boilermakers entered the NCAA Tournament as a 1-seed.
Purdue downed Louisiana Tech 77-63 in the Final Four to set up a championship matchup with Duke in San Jose. Behind 18 points from the 1999 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Ukari Figgs, the Boilermakers climbed atop the college basketball world with a 62-45 victory in the national championship game.
The accolade haul for the Boilermakers that season still fills up a sizable portion of the yearly media guide. AP and WBCA All-America selections featured Stephanie White and Figgs first team and honorable mention, respectively. White was named the Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year, the Margaret Wade Trophy recipient and the Honda Award winner.
White, Figgs and Katie Douglas were named to the NCAA Women's Final Four All-Tournament Team, while Camille Cooper earned a nod on the regional all-tournament squad. Five Boilermakers were tabbed All-Big Ten – White, Figgs, Douglas, Cooper and Michelle Duhart.
"Seeing the 25th anniversary patch on this year's jersey is a full-circle moment for me," national champion and current associate head coach Kelly Komara said. "Having worn that same jersey 25 years ago, and today watching our players enter Mackey honoring the National Championship team is the best example of history meeting the future. Knowing we laid the foundation for the next great team to walk on brings this moment full circle."
The 25-year anniversary patch was designed utilizing aspects of the 1999 San Jose Final Four logo.
Season and single-game tickets are on sale for the 2023-24 Purdue women's basketball season. Head coach Katie Gearlds will lead a talented squad into the season opener on Nov. 6 at No. 4 UCLA before returning to Mackey Arena on Nov. 12 for the home opener against Southern. Click here for more information on how to purchase tickets for the upcoming campaign.