MADISON, Wis. – On Sunday, Jan. 29, the University of Wisconsin will celebrate "Theresa Huff Day" at the Kohl Center. During halftime of the women's basketball game against Northwestern, the Badgers will formally commemorate the UW Athletic Hall of Famer's achievements by unveiling a No. 21 banner to hang in the rafters of the Kohl Center.
"I am truly honored and grateful to have my No. 21 put in the rafters at the Kohl Center," said Theresa Huff. "I hope it will serve as an inspiration to young women who play basketball that they too can accomplish great things."
"It is a true privilege for our athletic department, especially as we close out our year-long celebration of Title IX, to have the opportunity to formally honor Theresa Huff by raising her No. 21 up in the Kohl Center," said Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh. "Theresa is a UW Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and her accomplishments speak for themselves. It will be a thrill for all of us to celebrate Theresa on Jan. 29."
Head coach Marisa Moseley added, "Theresa Huff is a legendary figure in Wisconsin women's basketball and I could not be more excited to see her recognized this way. There have been a number of trailblazing student-athletes at Wisconsin and Theresa is among them. Our current team is so fortunate to have the opportunity meet Theresa, hear her story and take part in honoring Theresa next month at the Kohl Center."
Theresa Huff donned the cardinal and white for the Badgers from 1979 to 1983. She completed her career as the school's career leader in scoring, rebounds, field goals made and games played. Huff registered 62 double-doubles in her Badger career and was named the Wisconsin women's basketball MVP three times. A Big Ten All-Tournament team honoree, she was a finalist for the 1983 Wade Trophy which recognizes the top collegiate player in the nation. Theresa Huff led Wisconsin to its first post-season appearance as the Badgers reached the quarterfinals of the 1982 AIAW national tournament. Huff was the first women's basketball player to have her number retired and was the first American woman chosen to play professional basketball in Spain. She was inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. Theresa's sister Janet also played basketball for the Badgers.
Huff's No. 21 jersey will join other Badger greats whose numbers have been retired at the Kohl Center including: Ab Nicholas (8), Frank Kaminsky (44), Mark Johnson (10) and Michael Finley (24). She was the first women's basketball player to have her number retired. The No. 21 will remain in circulation at Wisconsin, but Huff's name and number will be celebrated with a banner in the rafters.
On Jan. 29, the Badgers will also celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day at the Kohl Center. Fans can enjoy fun and interactive games, a chance to interact with female student-athletes, and more. Click HERE for full details on National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
