HAMMOND, La. – In conjunction with the Southeastern Louisiana women's basketball team's Alumni Day celebration on Saturday in the University Center, Southeastern will honor the legendary 1976-77 AIAW Small College National Championship team.
 
Forty years have passed since the Lady Lions defeated Phillips University, 92-76, in the championship game to bring home the trophy to Hammond in the program's third season.
 
And on Saturday, for the first time since that magical season, all the members of that roster will be in the same place when the current Lady Lions tip-off at 3 p.m. versus New Orleans.
 
All former Southeastern women's basketball alumni are invited to be recognized at halftime of the SLU-UNO contest. Immediately following the game, SLU will recognize the national championship season on the 40^th anniversary of their historic campaign.
 
After Southeastern rolled through the LAIAW Small College Tournament and the AIAW Regional Tournament, the Lady Lions were off to Pomona, California to compete in the National AIAW Tournament for the second straight season. After finishing fifth in 1975-76, the 1976-77 SLU team wasn't to be denied.
 
In the opener, Southeastern routed Dayton, 91-50, to set up a date with undefeated High Point University. The Lady Lions moved on to the semifinals with a convincing 112-85 victory.
 
Awaiting SLU was defending national champion Berry College. Behind a total team effort, the Lady Lions held off Berry for an 86-81 victory to set up the title-game win.
 
In addition to bringing a national championship back to Hammond, the 1976-77 Lady Lions still hold the single-season school record for victories (30) and scoring average (99.1).
 
Following the season, Pam Cook Forrest, Queen Brumfield Nard and Sarah Williams participated in the All-American Game in Washington, D.C. 1976-77 team members Cook Forrest, Brumfield Nard and Monica Smith Harrison are all members of the Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame. Cook Forrest and Brumfield Nard are two of three – along with Robin Roberts – players in SLU women's basketball history to have their jerseys retired.
 
The legendary coach of that national championship team was Linda Puckett, who is also in the SLU Athletics Hall of Fame. Puckett, who passed away in 1997, will be represented by her sister, Sandy, at Saturday's ceremony.
 
The first 150 fans at Saturday's game will receive a trading card featuring the 1976-77 team courtesy of PRIDE. The game will air on ESPN 3 and can be heard on KSLU-FM (90.9), online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the TuneIn Radio app.
 
The SLU Athletics Ticket Office will offer several ticket promotions. All children ages 12 and under will receive free admission, while middle school, junior high school and high school students who present their local school ID will receive admission for $3. In addition, all first responders and military personnel will receive a free ticket with a valid service ID or if they are in uniform.