INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA has named five players and one coach to the Division I Women’s Basketball 25th Anniversary Team. Honored are five players who combined to win 11 national championships during their respective careers and the winningest coach in the history of men’s or women’s basketball.

The 25th Anniversary Team consists of Cheryl Miller, who led the University of Southern California to team titles in 1983 and 1984; Chamique Holdsclaw, who led the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers to championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998; Diana Taurasi, the University of Connecticut guard who led the Huskies to three consecutive championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004; Bridgette Gordon, who helped lead Tennessee to championships in 1987 and 1989; and Sheryl Swoopes, who led Texas Tech University to the national title in 1993.

Selected as the coach of the team is the legendary Pat Summitt, who has led Tennessee to six national championship titles and 16 Women’s Final Four appearances during her illustrious career that began in 1982. Summitt, who just recently topped 900-career wins, is the all-time leader in every NCAA tournament coaching record including titles, appearances, games, wins and winning percentage. She has led Tennessee to 24 consecutive tournament appearances.

An expert panel consisting of administrators, former coaches, representatives from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and members of the media used historical data and results from the online public voting to make its decision based on each individual’s achievements during NCAA championship competition.

“The 2006 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship will be a special one as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NCAA women’s basketball championship,” said Sue Donohoe, vice president for NCAA Division I women’s basketball. “It will be a time to recognize those who have paved the way for this great game as well as to celebrate those who will lead us into the future.”

Here’s a closer look at the student-athletes and coach that were named to the NCAA Division I Basketball 25th Anniversary Team:

(Names, School, Collegiate Years Played)

Cheryl Miller, University of Southern California (1983-1986)

• West Regional All-Tournament Team (1983, 1984)
• Women’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1983, 1984)
• West Regional Most Outstanding Player (1986)
• Women’s Final Four All-Tournament Team (1986)
• NCAA Team Finishes: Champion (1983, 1984); Regional Semifinal (1985), Women’s Final Four Runner up (1986)

Chamique Holdsclaw, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1996-1999)

• East Regional All-Tournament Team (1996, 1999)
• Women’s Final Four All-Tournament Team (1996)
• Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player (1997)
• Women’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1997, 1998)
• Mideast Regional Most Outstanding Player (1998)
• NCAA Team Finishes: Champion (1996, 1997, 1998); Regional Final (1999)

Diana Taurasi, University of Connecticut (2001-2004)

• East Regional Most Outstanding Player (2001, 2003, 2004)
• Mideast Regional All-Tournament Team (2002)
• Women’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2003, 2004)
• NCAA Team Finishes: Women’s Final Four - tied 3rd (2001); Champion (2002, 2003, 2004)

Bridgette Gordon, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1986-1989)

• Mideast Regional Most Outstanding Player (1987)
• Women’s Final Four All-Tournament Team (1987)
• East Regional All-Tournament Team (1988)

• East Regional Most Outstanding Player (1989)
• Women’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1989)
• NCAA Team Finishes: Women’s Final Four – tied 3rd (1986, 1988); Champion (1987, 1989)

Sheryl Swoopes, Texas Tech University (1992-1993)

• West Regional All-Tournament Team (1992)
• West Regional Most Outstanding Player (1993)
• Women’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1993)
• NCAA Team Finishes: Regional Semifinal (1992); Champion (1993)

Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee, Coach (1982-present)

• Six NCAA Championships (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998)
• 16 Women’s Final Four Appearances (1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
• 20 Regional Final Appearances
• 24 Regional Appearances
• All-time leader in every NCAA tournament coaching record – titles, appearances, games, wins and winning percentage
• First coach to lead team to three straight NCAA titles (1996, 1997, 1998)
• Only coach to have appeared in all 24 tournaments

In 1981, the NCAA began sponsoring women’s championships, which has opened the door to increased athletic and academic opportunities for female student-athletes. Today, the NCAA sponsors 44 women’s championships in 20 sports, providing more than 150,000 women with an opportunity to compete for national titles each year.

Today’s announcement also coincides with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which is celebrated February 1 each year. National Girls and Women In Sports Day is a special day for girls and women to celebrate their participation in sports and athletics.

The 2006 women’s basketball championship bracket will be announced on Monday, March 13 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, with first round play beginning on March 18 and 19, 2006. The championship will culminate in Boston with the Women’s Final Four on April 2 and 4 at the TD Banknorth Garden. Harvard University and Northeastern University are the NCAA member institutions hosting the Women’s Final Four in Boston.

The following NCAA women’s sports are celebrating their 25th anniversary during the 2005-06 season: Division I and III women’s field hockey; Division I, II and III women’s cross country; Division I, II and III women’s volleyball; Division I, II and III women’s swimming; Division I, II and III women’s basketball; National Collegiate women’s gymnastics; Division I, II and III women’s tennis; Division I women’s golf; Division I women’s lacrosse; Division I women’s rowing; Division I and II softball; and Division I, II and III women’s outdoor track.