The Kansas Jayhawks women’s basketball team is one of the oldest programs in college basketball history. Founded in 1968, it's been a part of the college basketball lexicon for over 50 years. Since their inception, the Jayhawks have seen its fair share of highs and lows, but they’ve remained competitive and have produced some of the best players in the game.
Despite being founded over five decades ago, the Kansas Jayhawks women's basketball team has only made three NCAA Tournament appearances, with the most recent one being back in 2013. However, that doesn't mean that the program hasn’t had successful seasons along the way. Over the years, the Jayhawks have won seven conference regular-season titles (six in the Big Eight Conference, one in the Big 12 Conference). They've also made two WNIT Final Four appearances, winning the competition outright in 1996.
Although the Jayhawks haven’t won an NCAA championship, the program has produced several All-Americans, including Lynette Woodard, who was the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in basketball; Jennifer Azzi, who went on to play in the WNBA and was named MVP of the league in 1999; and Crystal Kemp, who became the first Jayhawk to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in their career.
The Jayhawks have also had notable coaches throughout the years. Marian Washington, who led the team from 1973 to 2004, is one of the most respected coaches in women's college basketball history. During her tenure, she amassed 560 wins and earned multiple Coach of the Year awards. She also served as the head coach of the USA Women's National Team from 1991 to 1994.
Another notable coach for the Jayhawks was Bonnie Henrickson, who coached the team from 2004 to 2015. During her time at Kansas, she led the Jayhawks to five NCAA Tournament appearances and several big wins against some of the top programs in the country. Although her tenure wasn’t as long as Washington’s, Henrickson left a positive impact on the program and remains a beloved figure among Kansas fans.
In recent years, the Jayhawks have been led by head coach Brandon Schneider, who was hired in 2015. While his tenure hasn't been without its struggles, with the team experiencing a few rough seasons, he’s helped lead the team to victories against some of the best programs in the country. The Jayhawks have also shown glimpses of their potential with some exciting young players on the roster, including sophomore guard Holly Kersgieter, who was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year last season.
In conclusion, while the Kansas Jayhawks women's basketball team still awaits their first NCAA championship, they’ve remained a prominent part of college basketball history and have produced several incredible players and coaches over the years. With young talent on the roster and a dedicated coaching staff, the future looks bright for the Jayhawks.