DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women's basketball team will celebrate 50 years of Bulldog hoops this weekend as in-state foe Iowa comes to the Knapp Center, but the meeting of those two historic rivals is not the only way Drake is recognizing this women's basketball milestone.
 
Earlier this week, the team announced the debut of brand-new throwback uniforms. Designed by Doree Ward, a player on Drake's inaugural team in 1974, designed the original threads for the first Bulldog bunch to wear. The colors, piping, and text are all replicated from that initial uniform design. The full uniform reveal video is linked above.
 
Ward was also involved with another piece of the anniversary puzzle as part of a Drake women's basketball roundtable. She was joined by former Bulldog players Tammi Blackstone, Julie Fitzpatrick, and Laura Leonard as part of an alumnae roundtable discussing decades of history within the Drake women's program. The group discussion will go live on the Drake Athletics YouTube and Facebook accounts at 6 p.m. this evening.
 
Those four Bulldogs, plus over 70 other former players and coaches will be in attendance on Sunday afternoon as Drake battles Iowa. That group, which includes names like Lisa Bluder, Wanda Ford, and many more, will be recognized throughout the game.
 
Lastly, on Saturday, the team will be hosting a 50th anniversary gala. The program will feature multiple player and coach panels, celebratory videos, and the announcement of the program's all-decade teams.
 
The anniversary celebration will culminate in the game between the Bulldogs and Hawkeyes on Sunday, Nov. 17. Tip is set for 2 p.m. in Des Moines.