National Championships

Capital University became the first school to win back-to-back NCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championships in 1994 and 1995. The two championship highlight a five year run that featured four trips to the national semifinals and finals. The Crusaders finished second in the nation in 1993 and third in the nation in 1997.

In 1994, Capital went 30-1 and blasted through the NCAA Tournament to win the school's first national championship. No team came closer than 18 points in tournament games as Capital beat Washington (Mo.) University, 82-63 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Capital's Laura Schmelzer claimed Naitonal Player of the Year honors, while Dixie Jeffers was the National Coach of the Year.

In 1995, the Crusaders set another record as being the first team to go undefeated for an NCAA Division III women's national championship going 33-0 for their second straight title. Alumni Gymnasium on the Capital campus hosted the national semifinals and finals and the Crusaders rallied from deficits in both games in front of an overflow crowd of more then 2,000 people beating the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) 68-59, in the semifinals then scoring a 59-55 win over the Universiy of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the finals.

These student-athletes and coaches will forever be remembered for their contributions to athletics and Capital University as a whole. In 2006, both of these teams were among the inaugural class of the newly formed Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. The Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes these coaches, players, and teams on high school, college, and professional levels that have shaped the rich tradition of basketball in the state of Ohio.

1994 NCAA Division III National Championship

Capital vs. Washington (Mo.)

W 82-63

03/19/94 7 p.m at Zorn Arena - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Attendance: 2000

Capital Key Performers:

Laura Schmelzer - 21 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist

Lora Vandenbark - 12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists

Kristen Long - 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist 

1995 NCAA Division III National Championship

Wisconsin-Oshkosh vs. Capital

W  55-59

03/18/95 7 p.m. at Alumni Gymnasium - Columbus, Ohio

Attendence: 2000

Capital Key Performers

Carmen Ellis - 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Kristen Long - 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists

Katie Meng - 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist