Even though the present women’s basketball program at Kansas State began intercollegiate play in 1968, the roots go back much further.  Julius Terrass Willard, a chemistry professor from 1901-1944, penned an account shortly after his arrival at the school, explaining how the game took hold at the Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science.  His account states that young women were the first students to begin playing the popular game in the spring 1901. 

Women continuted to play basketball in the women’s gymnasium, but it was announced on campus that they would not be allowed to play any more games outdoors.  Furthermore, only immediate friends and families of the participants were allowed to attend.  Interclass competitions were played, and at one point, the freshman team challenged the women members of the faculty.  The freshman team came away with a resounding 46-4 victory over their instructors.  In November of 1902, the young women asked for permission to play intercollegiate games, but faculty turned down their request “on a closed vote.”

The faculty’s decision did not keep students from continuing to play basketball.  Women continued to join intramural teams through the physical education program and compete between classes and sororities for the college championship.  In fact, the 1921 Royal Purple reported that the women’s game continued to grow in popularity and “almost 200 tried out for the places on class teams.  The class games were well attended, and a large amount of interest shown by others than the girls playing.”  However, it wasn’t until the 1968-69 season that women’s basketball was added as an intercollegiate sport. 

In 2005-06, Kansas State posted its fifth-straight 20-win season and made their fifth straight appearance in the post-season (four NCAA and one WNIT). They also placed in the top half of the Big 12 Conference for the fifth-straight year.  The Wildcats received votes in both The Associated Press and USA TODAY/ESPN Coaches Top 25 national polls throughout the season, including the preseason. 

Since Deb Patterson’s arrival in 1996, she has built the Kansas State women’s basketball program into one of the nation’s most exciting teams to watch in the women’s game today.  Patterson is the second winningest coach in school history.  In 2003-04, she reached two coaching milestones by earning her 150^th career victory against Missouri on March 10, 2004, and currently ranks second on the all-time coaching list with 199 career victory. 

Associate Head Coach Kamie Ethridge is recognized as one of the greatest women’s basketball guards to ever play the game.  Ethridge, a Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, was a two-time Kodak All-American and a Wade Trophy and Honda Award honoree.  The Wildcats are also helped by Assitant Coach Kelly Moylan and Assistant Coach Andria Jones, both four-year letterwinners for the Wildcats during their respective years on the program. 

Kansas State Hall of Famers

Priscilla Gary-Sweeney (1982-83): Women's Basketball, 1998 Induction Class

Judy Akers (1968-79): Women's Basketball Coach, 2003 Induction Class

Lynn Hickey (1979-84): Women's Basketball Coach, 2004 Induction Class