CMC75 Moments: 1994-95 Women's Basketball Earns First NCAA Bid, Downs Cal Lutheran

As part of the buildup to the 75th Anniversary celebration for Claremont McKenna College (visit CMC's 75th Anniversary Countdown Page to learn more), we are reliving many of the great moments from CMS athletic department history over the 75-day countdown from April 17 to July 1. If you were a part of this great moment and would like to add to the memories, or if you would like to submit your memories of your own favorite CMS Athletics moments, fill out the form on our main 75th Anniversary page.

Great Moments from 75 Years
1995 Women's Basketball: Athenas 63, Cal Lutheran 54 (NCAA) 

The CMS women's basketball team had a 20-win regular season in 1994-95, but came up just short of the SCIAC title at 10-2, finishing one game behind Cal Lutheran. The Athenas handed the Regals their only conference loss, 82-69 in the final week of the regular season for a season split, but it wasn't enough to pull CMS even in the standings.

It was enough, though, to get the Athenas an all-important rubber match, as CMS earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time on the strength of its win over Cal Lutheran and its 21-4 overall record (with two of the losses coming to Non-DIII opponents San Francisco State and Cal State LA).

The opening round game saw the Athenas and Regals meet for a third time, and CMS took the 63-54 win to record its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. CMS led 28-25 at the half, and the score was tied 38-38 with 12 minutes to go before the Athenas went on a 7-0 run and Cal Lutheran was unable to get closer than five points the rest of the way. Senior Heather Schroder finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds and senior Cindy Gulick added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Schroder (14.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and fellow senior Amy Cleveland (19.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg) were team captains and first-team All-SCIAC selections and were able to add an NCAA Tournament win to their CMS legacy, while Cleveland (19.4 ppg) became the first CMS women's basketball player to be named first-team All-SCIAC three straight seasons. Mindy Bagatelos (13.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg) was named to the All-SCIAC Second Team. Schroder, who a couple months later was also part of the first-ever CMS women's track and field SCIAC Championship, and Cleveland are both now members of the CMS Athletics Hall of Fame. 

The Athenas carried on the tradition again in 1996, winning the SCIAC title and advancing in the NCAA Tournament with another win over a SCIAC rival, this time edging La Verne 62-61 in the opening round. Schroder and Cleveland graduated, but Bagatelos (first-team All-SCIAC) and Triby (second-team All-SCIAC) helped produce another 20-win season

Amy Cleveland:

I would say that season was most memorable because we were able to give Coach Burton her first NCAA postseason victory. And to have it against Cal Lu was even sweeter. Coach is such a legend and trailblazer for the women's game that it was an honor to help her achieve that accomplishment.

Heather Schroder:

Oh my gosh, my memory is horrible. I barely remember that game! I just remember being very happy that night and it really was a privilege to play for Coach Burton. 

We had a solid athletic squad overall and worked really hard.  I think what made it all work is that Amy and I learned how to play together.  She was used to being the star and then I transferred in as a junior, so it was maybe rough at first, but we complemented each other and pushed each other every day.  She had the three-point shot and more finesse, and I was more of a scrapper. I think our leadership and intensity set an example and high standards for our team overall.  You can have a lot of great players, but they have to work well together! We had both … and a great coach!

1994-95 Women's Basketball Roster
Head Coach: Jodie Burton
Assistant Coaches: Joel Monge, Lori Menard, Michele Woodworth
Kelsey Anderson (Fr., Post, HMC)
Mindy Bagatelos (So., Post, Scripps)
Amy Cleveland (Sr., Wing, CMC)
Kristal De Kleer (Fr., Post, CMC)
Cindy Gulick (Sr., Forward, CMC)
April Hutchens (Fr., Guard, CMC)
Wendy Mills (So., Guard, CMC)
Tiphanie Phillips (So., Guard, CMC)
Heather Schroder (Sr., Wing, CMC)
Colleen Tribby (Jr., Guard, CMC)
Andee Whalen (So., Forward, CMC)

1995-96 Women's Basketball Roster
Head Coach: Jodie Burton
Assistant Coaches: Joel Monge, Tin Confair
Mindy Bagatelos (Jr., Post, Scripps)
Darcy Burton (Fr., Post, CMC)
Kristen Candaele (Fr., Guard, Scripps)
Kristal De Kleer (So., Post, CMC)
Tina Hetrick (Fr., Wing, CMC)
Tiphanie Phillips (Jr., Guard, CMC)
Corrine Putt (Fr., Post, CMC)
Alisa TeStruth (Fr., Guard, CMC)
Dianna Turner (So., Wing, CMC)
Colleen Tribby (Sr., Guard, CMC)
Lisa Walter (Fr., Post, HMC)
Andee Whalen (Jr., Forward, CMC)
Kristin Wilson (Fr., Guard, Scripps)