History of Arizona Wildcats women's basketball in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 24, 2025

The Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team represents the University of Arizona. As a Division I NCAA member, the team competes in the Big 12 athletic conference, starting in the 2024-25 academic year, after previously being in the Pac-12 Conference. Their home games are played at the McKale Center. The team colors are cardinal red and navy blue. The Wildcats have appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments.

1912: Request for women's basketball team denied

In 1912, female students at the University of Arizona first requested a women's basketball team, but were denied.

1921: First "inter-class" games played

In 1921, women played "inter-class" basketball games for the first time at the University of Arizona. The juniors won.

1923: Intercollegiate competition begins

In 1923, intercollegiate basketball competition began at the University of Arizona, and a "Varsity" team played Arizona State University.

1971: UA joined the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW)

In 1971, the University of Arizona joined the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) as a charter member.

1972: First official season of women's basketball

The University of Arizona Athletic Department cites the 1972-73 season as the first official season of women's basketball at the University of Arizona. This followed the Title IX federal legislation.

1979: Joined the Western Collegiate Athletic Association

In 1979, the University of Arizona, along with Arizona State University and five schools in southern California, joined to form the Western Collegiate Athletic Association.

1981: Became a member of the NCAA

In 1981, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team became a member of the NCAA when the NCAA absorbed the AIAW.

1985: Joined the Pacific-West Conference

In 1985, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team joined the Pacific-West Conference.

1996: Won the Women's National Invitational Tournament

In 1996, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team won the Women's National Invitational Tournament.

1997: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1997, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

1998: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1998, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

1999: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1999, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

2000: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2000, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

2001: Women's National Invitational Tournament Appearance

In 2001, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team made an appearance in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.

2003: Runners-up at the Pac-10 Conference championship tournament

In 2003, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team were runners-up at the Pac-10 Conference championship tournament, marking one of their most successful conference finishes.

2004: Runners-up at the Pac-10 Conference championship tournament

In 2004, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team were runners-up at the Pac-10 Conference championship tournament, marking one of their most successful conference finishes.

2005: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2005, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

2011: Joined the Pac-12 Conference

In 2011, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team's conference, formerly known as the Pac-10, became the Pac-12.

2019: Won the Women's National Invitational Tournament

In 2019, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team won the Women's National Invitational Tournament.

2019: Won Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) championship

In 2019, the Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team captured the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) championship.

2021: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2021, the Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

2021: Beat UConn in the Final Four, lost championship game against Stanford

In 2021, the Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team beat UConn in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball championship. They lost the championship game against Stanford 53–54.

2021: Made the Final Four for the first time

In 2021, the Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team made the Final Four for the first time and defeated UConn to qualify for the National Championship game.

August 4, 2023: Arizona to join Big 12 Conference

On August 4, 2023, Arizona announced it would join the Big 12 Conference along with Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.