INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA has named 10 former student-athletes and one coach to its NCAA Division II Softball 25th Anniversary Team for outstanding achievements while participating in NCAA championships. The NCAA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of women’s championships in several sports during the 2005-06 season.

In 1981, the NCAA began sponsoring women’s championships, which opened the door to increased athletic and academic opportunities for female 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.

The NCAA Division II Softball 25th Anniversary Team is as follows:

Susan Churchwell, University of California, Davis, Pitcher
NCAA All Tournament (2003); NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2003); NCAA National Champion (2003); National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First-Team All American (2003); NFCA Third-Team All American (2001)

Debbie Dickmann, California State Northridge, Pitcher
NCAA All Tournament (1987, 88, 90); NCAA Champion (1987); NCAA Runner Up (1990); NFCA First-Team All American (1987, 88, 89, 90)

Julie Fromm, North Dakota State University, Pitcher
NCAA All Tournament (2000); NCAA National Champion (2000); NFCA First-Team All American (2000); NFCA Second-Team All American (1999)

Barbara Jordan, California State Northridge, Outfield
NCAA All Tournament (1984, 85, 87); NCAA Champion (1984, 85, 87); NCAA Runner Up (1986); NFCA First-Team All American (1986, 87)

Kym Kling, St. Mary’s University (Texas), Pitcher
NCAA All Tournament (2002); NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2002); NCAA National Champion (2002); NFCA First-Team All American (2002, 03); NFCA Second-Team All American (2004)

Danielle Penner, California University of Pennsylvania, Pitcher
NCAA All Tournament (1996, 97, 98); NCAA Champion (1997, 98); NFCA First-Team All American (1997, 98); NFCA Second-Team All American (1996)

Kelly Rafter, Kennesaw State University, Pitcher
NCAA All Tournament (1995, 96); NCAA Champion (1995, 96); NFCA First-Team All American (95); NFCA Second-Team All American (1996)

Barb Santa Cruz, California State University, Bakersfield, Second Base
NCAA All Tournament (1988, 89); NCAA Champion (1988, 89, 90); NFCA First-Team All American (89, 90)

Kathy Slaten, California State Northridge, Pitcher
NCAA All Tournament (1983, 84, 85, 86); NCAA Champion (1983, 84, 85); NCAA Runner Up (1986); NFCA First-Team All American (1984, 85, 86)

Lith Webb, California University of Pennsylvania, Third Base
NCAA All Tournament (1997, 98); NCAA Champion (1997, 98); NFCA First-Team All American (95, 96, 97, 98)

Gary Torgeson, California State Northridge, Coach
NCAA champion (1983, 84, 85, 87); NCAA Runner Up (1982, 86, 90); Team at finals site (1982, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90); Diamond Softball Coach of the Year (1983, 84, 85); NFCA Coach of the Year (1987)

An NCAA expert panel selected the 25th Anniversary Team in Division II softball. The panel used historical data and results from online public voting at www.ncaasports.com to make its decision.

The 2006 Division II Softball Championships begin May 11. The NCAA Division II Softball Championship Finals will be May 18-22 at James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia. The city of Salem and the West Virginia Athletic Conference will host the finals.

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.