Colorado University Athletics
Colorado Celebrates 50 Years of Women’s Basketball
October 04, 2024 | Women's Basketball
The Buffaloes will celebrate the program’s 50th anniversary throughout the 2024-25 season
BOULDER — Colorado Athletics will celebrate the 50th anniversary of women's basketball at CU throughout the 2024-25 season. The season will honor the program's past players, coaches and milestones.
The Buffaloes played their first varsity game on Jan. 17, 1975, picking up a 57-54 win over Weber State. Over 50 storied years, Colorado has totaled 899 program wins, won seven regular season conference championships, five conference tournament championships, advanced to 16 NCAA Tournaments, eight Sweet Sixteens and three Elite Eights.
The program has had 35 1,000-point scorers, starting with Jeannie Raikes in the 1979-80 season. Lisa Van Goor became the Buffs' first 2,000-point scorer from 1980-85, holding the school record for career points until Brittany Spears surpassed her mark, finishing with a school record, men or women, 2,185 points from 2007-11.
Colorado women's basketball is represented by eight former players and coaches in the CU Athletics Hall of Fame and saw legendary head coach Ceal Barry inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Most recently, the Buffs have played in four consecutive postseason tournaments, including three straight NCAA Tournament berths and advancing to back-to-back Sweet Sixteens under ninth-year head coach JR Payne.
"We're excited for this anniversary season," Payne exclaimed. "What an honor to be a part of a program that has such a storied, respected and successful 50 years. We're excited to be able to honor all our past players, coaches and staff members."
The 50th anniversary accompanies Colorado's return to the Big 12 Conference. The Buffaloes will renew old-standing rivalries this season with home games against original Big 8 schools Kansas and Kansas State and familiar Big 12 schools Texas Tech and Baylor.
As part of the celebration, fans can purchase a $50 five-game mini plan, with the ability to choose from any of the Buffs' 16 regular-season home games. Tickets can be purchased HERE or by calling 303-492-8337.
The Alumni C Club and CU women's basketball will co-host a celebratory reunion event on Friday, Jan. 31, at the Nerd Wallet Touchdown Club and a pregame brunch before the Texas Tech game on Feb. 1 in Chip's Corral. All CU women's basketball alumni are invited back to Boulder for all reunion events and to honor the 2002 Elite Eight team.
Fans can follow along with the celebration by visiting the 50th-anniversary website at CUBuffs.com/WBB50 and by following the @CUBuffsWBB on social media.
