The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters have been a dominant force in women's college basketball since the inception of the sport. With over 1,100 wins and three national championships, they are one of the most successful programs in NCAA history.
The Lady Techsters’ winning tradition began under the guidance of head coach Sonja Hogg in the early 1970s. Hogg, who went on to win 401 games at Louisiana Tech, led the team to their first national championship in 1981. The Lady Techsters were also national champions in 1982 and 1988 under the leadership of legendary coach Leon Barmore.
Barmore, who won 576 games at Louisiana Tech, is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NCAA history. He coached the Lady Techsters to five Final Fours and eight appearances in the Elite Eight. During his tenure, he also mentored two Naismith Award winners and several All-Americans.
Although the Lady Techsters have not won a national championship since 1988, they have remained competitive and successful in women's college basketball. They have made 29 NCAA Tournament appearances, which ranks fourth all-time, and have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen 14 times.
In recent years, the Lady Techsters have been led by current head coach Brooke Stoehr. She has continued the program's winning ways, with four straight postseason appearances and a Conference USA regular season championship in 2021.
Under Stoehr's leadership, the Lady Techsters have emphasized defense and rebounding, two staples of the program throughout its history. Louisiana Tech has been one of the top defensive teams in the country in each of the last four seasons, ranking in the top 20 in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, and rebounding margin.
The Lady Techsters have also produced several standout players over the years, including WNBA legends Teresa Weatherspoon and Cheryl Ford. Weatherspoon, who played for Louisiana Tech from 1983-1988, was a two-time All-American and helped lead the Lady Techsters to their first two national championships. She later went on to win two Olympic gold medals and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Ford, who played at Louisiana Tech from 1999-2003, was a three-time All-American and the 2003 Naismith Award winner as the best women's college basketball player in the country. She also won two WNBA championships with the Detroit Shock and was named Rookie of the Year in 2003.
In addition to producing elite players, the Lady Techsters have also been pioneers in women's college basketball. In 1977, they played in the first-ever NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Championship game, losing to Tennessee by a score of 67-44.
The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters are a storied program with a rich history of success, innovation, and excellence. While they have not won a national championship in over 30 years, they continue to be a formidable force on the court and a source of pride for the university and its fans.