GREENVILLE, Pa. (Feb. 9) — The 1985, 1986 and 1988 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship Thiel College Women's Basketball teams will be recognized during halftime of Saturday's matchup against Washington & Jefferson College.

The Tomcats of the mid-to-late 1980s authored one of the most successful eras in program history. Under the guidance of legendary head coach Gie Parsons, Thiel captured the first-ever PAC Women's Basketball Championship in 1985, repeated as league champions in 1986 and made history in 1988 by becoming the first Thiel program to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

Led by future Thiel Hall of Famers Cynthia Bynum and Marlana Tice, along with leading scorer and First Team All-PAC pick Teresa Collins, the 1985 squad set program records for wins (21) and winning percentage (.913), marks that still stand today. The Tomcats edged John Carroll 59–57 in the PAC Semifinals before dominating Washington & Jefferson 92-59 in the championship clash.

The 1986 Tomcats followed with another PAC title, finishing the season 13-9 overall and 9-3 in conference play. Bynum anchored the team with a double-double average of 13.6 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, earning All-PAC First Team honors.

While back-to-back conference championships were impressive, the ultimate milestone came in 1988. Powered by Bynum, Collins and future Hall of Famer Julie Sierota, the Tomcats defeated John Carroll 66-51 in the PAC Championship to secure the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Parsons was named PAC Coach of the Year in all three championship seasons. She remains the only coach in program history to lead Thiel to a PAC title and is 1 of just 3 Thiel coaches ever to guide a team to the NCAA Tournament.

Saturday's recognition will celebrate not only championship banners and historic milestones, but the foundation these teams laid for Thiel Women's Basketball. Their success remains a defining chapter in program history and a lasting source of Tomcat lore.

Questions regarding the ceremony and reunion can be directed to Mark Batt, Director of Development, by email at mbatt@thiel.edu.