1982 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament

1982 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament
Year	1982
Gender	Women's
Division	Division I
Teams	32
Final Four Arena	The Scope
Final Four City	Norfolk, Virginia
Champions	Louisiana Tech
Title Count	1st
Runner-Up	Cheyney
Game Count	1st
Semifinal1	Maryland
Semifinal2	Tennessee
Coach	Sonja Hogg
MOP	Janice Lawrence (Louisiana Tech)

1982 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament was the inaugural edition of the NCAA-sanctioned tournament to crown a national champion in women's college basketball. It marked a historic transition from the previously dominant AIAW national championship to the NCAA framework. The tournament culminated with the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters defeating the Cheyney Wolves in the championship game held in Norfolk, Virginia. This event established the foundation for the modern women's basketball championship.

Background and selection process

The creation of this tournament followed the NCAA's decision to begin sponsoring championships for women's sports, ending the hegemony of the AIAW. Many top programs, including Tennessee and Louisiana Tech, chose to participate in the new NCAA event rather than the final AIAW tournament. A selection committee chose 32 teams for the field, comprising 24 automatic qualifiers from conference champions and 8 at-large selections. Notable conferences receiving automatic bids included the SEC, ACC, and Big Ten. The process faced scrutiny as it established the NCAA's authority in women's collegiate athletics.

Tournament format and schedule

The tournament employed a straightforward 32-team single-elimination bracket. All games prior to the Final Four were played at campus sites of the higher-seeded teams, a format designed to maximize attendance and reduce travel costs. The regional rounds were designated as the East, Mideast, Midwest, and West regions. The Final Four was scheduled for a centralized neutral site, The Scope arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The entire tournament was condensed into a two-week period in March, with the championship game held on March 28, 1982. This format set the basic structural template for future editions.

Bracket and results

The top seeds in the tournament included Tennessee in the Mideast, Southern California in the West, Maryland in the East, and Louisiana Tech in the Midwest. Cheyney, coached by C. Vivian Stringer, was a lower-seeded team that advanced impressively through the East Regional. In the Final Four at The Scope, Louisiana Tech defeated Maryland and Cheyney upset Tennessee to set up the championship matchup. The other regional finalists included Kansas State and Texas.

Notable games and upsets

The most significant upset of the tournament was Cheyney's remarkable run to the final, which included victories over higher-seeded teams like the Georgia Lady Bulldogs. Their Final Four victory over powerhouse Tennessee, led by coach Pat Summitt, was a historic shock. In the West Regional, a thrilling contest saw Southern California, featuring stars like Paula McGee and Cheryl Miller, challenged before advancing. The Mideast Regional final between Tennessee and Kansas was also a closely fought battle, showcasing the depth of the new tournament.

Championship game

The championship game was played on March 28, 1982, at The Scope in Norfolk, Virginia. The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters, coached by Sonja Hogg and led by tournament Most Outstanding Player Janice Lawrence, faced the Cinderella Cheyney Wolves under coach C. Vivian Stringer. Louisiana Tech controlled the game, utilizing a strong inside presence and defensive pressure to secure a 76-62 victory. The win gave Louisiana Tech its first national title and cemented the program's elite status in the new NCAA era.

Aftermath and legacy

The success of this inaugural tournament solidified the NCAA's control over women's collegiate basketball, leading to the dissolution of the AIAW. The victory by Louisiana Tech established a new benchmark for excellence, while Cheyney's run demonstrated the tournament's potential for parity and dramatic storytelling. The event provided a national platform for future stars and coaches like Pat Summitt and C. Vivian Stringer. It directly led to expanded television coverage and growing popularity for the women's game, founding the annual championship event that would evolve into a major American sporting spectacle.

Category:NCAA Division I women's basketball tournaments Category:1982 in women's sports Category:1982 in American sports Category:Sports competitions in Norfolk, Virginia