The 2001 Lady Bears Final Four team and staff and all Lady Bear alumni were honored during the Missouri State Lady Bears’ game on February 7^th and celebrated together at a reunion event. Special Collections and Archives were thrilled to share materials from the Lady Bears Collection at both events!

Danielle Richesin, Director of Marketing and Promotions for Missouri State Athletics, contacted the Archives about materials for a video honoring the 2001 Lady Bears in October 2025. Tracie Gieselman France, Archivist, and Jeffrey Lawson, Archives Specialist, pulled materials from the Lady Bears Collection, and the video featuring the items is shown at the opening of every home game this season.

Danielle and Tracie then began coordinating the February events at the Alumni Center and Great Southern Arena. Scrapbooks, memorabilia, publications, and photos from the collection were available for Lady Bear alumni and staff to enjoy Friday evening, and these materials were on display in cases on the Great Southern Arena concourse during the Lady Bears game on Saturday. Team members, staff, and fans enjoyed the opportunity to view this important part of Missouri State’s history and remembered how the community supported the 2001 team and staff.