INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA has named five athletes and one coach to the Division II Women’s Basketball 25th Anniversary Team for their outstanding achievements while competing and coaching in NCAA championship competition. 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 Basketball 25th Anniversary Team is as follows:

Niki Bracken, California State Poly University

• NCAA All-Tournament Teams (1987, 89, 90)
• NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (1989, 90)
• #16 Career Points (2,246)
• #6 2,000 Points & 1,000 Rebounds (2,246 points and 1,486 rebounds)

Michelle Cottrell, Northern Kentucky University

• NCAA All-Tournament Team (2000)
• NCAA All-Tournament Team Most Outstanding Player (2000)
• NCAA National Championship (2000)
• NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (2000, 01, 02)

Jenny Crouse, University of North Dakota

• NCAA All-Tournament Team (1997, 98, 99)
• NCAA All-Tournament Team Most Outstanding Player (1998, 99)
• NCAA National Championship (1997, 98, 99)
• WBCA Division II Player of the Year (1998, 99)
• NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (1998, 99)
• #11 Career Points (2,284)
• #7 Field Goal Percent (62.7%)
• #2 Blocked Shots (494)
• #4 Blocked Shot Average (3.9)
• #5 2,000 Points & 1,000 Rebounds (2,284 points and 1,145 rebounds)

Carla Eades, Central Missouri State University

• NCAA All-Tournament Team (1983, 84)
• NCAA All-Tournament Team Most Outstanding Player (1984)
• NCAA National Championship (1984)
• WBCA Division II Player of the Year (1984)
• NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (1983, 84)

Kasey Morlock, North Dakota State University

• 1995 and 1996 NCAA All-Tournament Team (1995, 96)
• 1995 and 1996 NCAA All-Tournament Team Most Outstanding Player (1995, 96)
• NCAA National Championship (1995, 96)
• WBCA Division II Player of the Year (1997)
• NCAA Division II Kodak All-American (1995, 96, 97)
• #19 Career Points (2,233)

Amy Ruley, North Dakota State University (Coach)

• 10 Division II Elite Eight appearances (1986-88, 91-96, 2000)
• 5 Division II National Championship titles (1991, 93, 94, 95, 96)
• Russell Athletic/WBCA Division II Coach of the Year (1993)
• 631-159 record in 26 seasons with North Dakota State University
• Inductee into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2004)
• Recipient of the WBCA Carol Eckman Award (1997)

An NCAA Division II women’s basketball sports committee named an expert panel to select the Division II Basketball 25th Anniversary Team. The panel, which consisted of current and former coaches; athletics administrators; sports information directors; student-athletes; and coaches association members, used historical data and results from online public voting at www.ncaasports.com to make its decision.

The first rounds of the Division II Women’s Basketball Championships begin March 10, 2006. The Division II national title game is March 25 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Henderson State University and the Hot Springs Convention Center are the hosts.

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.