Nov. 19, 2003
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Opening Day
For the first time in six seasons, the Bronco women's basketball team will open its season at home, hosting UW-Green Bay on Sunday afternoon at the Leavey Center.
Scouting the UW-Green Bay Phoenix
Series Record: First Meeting
UW-Green Bay Record in 2002-03: 28-4 (15-1)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/4
Notable: The Phoenix participated in last year's NCAA Tournament... received eight votes in the preseason coaches poll...
Season Openers
With its victory over Lehigh to open the 2002-03 season, Santa Clara has won its last five season-openers. A win over the Phoenix will be the 11th season-opening victory for the Broncos in the last 13 years and 25th overall in 40 seasons.
A Fountain of Youth
Santa Clara is one of the top 15 youngest women's basketball teams that will take the court this season. With six freshmen, two sophomores, three juniors and two seniors, the Broncos' average age is 19.4 years heading into the season.
In the Rankings
The Bronco program is known to play one of the toughest schedules in the country on a regular basis, and this year's line up is no exception. Santa Clara will open its season hosting four teams that are mentioned in the preseason USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches' Poll. It peaks with 11th-ranked Georgia on November 28, while three other non-conference opponents--UW-Green Bay, BYU and Oregon--are receiving votes. League opponent Pepperdine is also receiving votes.
A Look Ahead: Non-Conference Battles
Santa Clara's second game of the season will take place in Stockton for a Tuesday, November 25 game at Pacific, before returning home for a Friday, November 28 contest vs. 11th-ranked Georgia.
Non-Conference Success
Santa Clara has posted 12 straight non-losing non-conference seasons and is 103-45 (.696) during that span. Santa Clara's most successful non-conference season ever came during the 1990-91 season when the Broncos went 12-2.
Live on the Internet
Santa Clara's entire schedule returns to the Internet, as a live audio broadcast will be available for a third season on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Additionally, Leavey Center contests can be followed online with a live statistical tracker, also located on SCU's official athletic website. By logging on, fans receive real-time updated statistics direct from the official scoring computer, allowing users to listen to the audio broadcast and keep up with the statistics simultaneously. Anthony Passarelli returns as the voice of the Broncos for a third season.
King to be Inducted into SCU Athletics Hall of Fame
Santa Clara University's rich and storied athletic tradition will come alive this fall with the induction of eight deserving members into the institution's Athletic Hall of Fame. The eight new members of the Hall include: Brandi Chastain '91 (soccer); Bill Connolly '65 (baseball); Bill Duffy '82 (basketball); Gary Hoffman '83 (football); Paul Holocher '91 (soccer); Melissa King Fisher '93 (basketball); Gary Podesta (lacrosse); Eric Yamamoto '90 (soccer).
Induction ceremonies are scheduled to take place on Nov. 19 in the Leavey Center on the SCU campus. Tickets to attend the event are available through the university's Alumni Association by calling 408-554-6800. A pre-event reception will begin at 6 p.m., while the dinner and induction ceremony will start at 7 p.m.
This year's class of inductees brings the total number of members in Santa Clara's Athletic Hall of Fame, which was established in 1962, to 223 individuals and one team which represent the best in the university's athletic heritage.
King Fisher completed her four-year basketball career at Santa Clara as the school's leading scorer and the third-highest scorer in West Coast Conference history. She remains at the top of the school charts for scoring, field goals, three-point field goals, free throws and steals. A three-time all-WCC selection, she led the Broncos to three-straight WCC Championships and the National Women's Invitational Tournament title in 1991. She was named Kodak honorable mention All-America as a senior.
WCC Championship Coming to SCU in 2004
The WCC Men's and Women's Championships will return to the Bay Area in 2004 and 2005, as announced Wednesday by Commissioner Michael Gilleran. The change is a result of the WCC's decision to rotate the league's premier event between the Bay Area, Pacific Northwest and Southern California, each for a period of two consecutive years.
The 2006 and 2007 tournament will move to the Pacific Northwest before heading to Southern California in 2008 and 2009.
The 2004 WCC Basketball Tournament will be held at the Leavey Center. In 2005, the event will move approximately 50 miles north to the University of San Francisco, where games will be played at War Memorial Gymnasium. This will be Santa Clara's eighth time as host, most recently in 2000, while USF will serve as host for the fourth time.
