The San Antonio City Council recently honored the University of Texas at San Antonio women's basketball team for capturing the 2026 American Conference Championship, ending a 17‑year title drought.
The proclamation, signed by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and supported by Councilman Marc Whyte and Councilwoman Ivalis Gonzalez, highlighted the team’s dominant performance, including a 54‑40 victory over top‑seeded Rice on March 14 that secured an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
A Run Defined by Firsts
Coach Karen Aston’s squad entered the tournament as the only NCAA program to defeat each of its league’s three highest seeds, a testament to the depth and resilience of the roster.
Senior forward Cheyenne Rowe was named Most Outstanding Player of the event, while teammates Ereauna Hardaway and junior Idara Udo earned All‑Tournament recognition, underscoring the collective impact of the players.
University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos and Associate Vice President for Community and Government Relations Albert Carrisalez accepted the commendation on behalf of UTSA, emphasizing the program’s growing influence in collegiate athletics.
The accolade also marks the team’s third NCAA Tournament appearance and its first since 2009, placing Coach Aston among an elite group of Division I coaches who have guided three different programs to the national stage.
City officials praised the team’s perseverance and expressed optimism that the recognition will inspire future generations of student‑athletes in San Antonio.