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Posted: Apr 22, 2009

Franklin Pierce Women’s Basketball Honored at N.H. State House

Franklin Pierce Women’s Basketball Honored at N.H. State House

National Runner-up Ravens honored by Gov. John Lynch as well as New Hampshire House and Senate 


The team poses with the statue of President Franklin Pierce outside the New Hampshire State Capitol after receiving proclamations from the State Senate and Governor John Lynch after being recognized in front of the full House of Representatives.

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New Hampshire Governor John Lynch reads a special proclamation to the members of the Franklin Pierce women's basketball team this afternoon during an executive chamber session.

CONCORD, N.H. (April 22, 2009) - The NCAA Division II National Runners-up Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team received special recognition today at the New Hampshire State House in Concord.

The women's basketball team received special recognition in front of the full 400-member House of Representatives before moving on to the State Senate where it received a special proclamation from Senior State Senator Peter Bragdon. The team then met with Governor John Lynch for an executive chamber session where the Governor also presented the team with a special proclamation.

Franklin Pierce (29-6, 18-4 NE-10) became the first women's program from the State of New Hampshire to compete for a basketball National Championship last month in San Antonio, Texas. The Ravens, who fell to Minnesota State University-Mankato 103-94, were part of the highest scoring women's championship game in NCAA Division II history, and joined Dartmouth College's men's program (1942 & '44) as the only basketball teams from New Hampshire to play for the national title. 


The team is read a proclamation before the State Senate by Senior Senator Peter Bragdon

Franklin Pierce captured both the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament championships for the first time since joining the conference in 2000. The Ravens then went on to capture their second-straight NCAA East Regional Championship and trip to the Division II Elite Eight. They were ranked No. 2 in the final USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II poll - the highest national ranking in program history.

The women's basketball team is also a strong performer in the classroom. The team was ranked 22nd in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Academic Top 25 last summer. Nine of the 14 team members earned a spot on the Athletic Department Honor Roll for achieving a 3.30 grade point average or better for the Fall 2008 semester. Junior All-American and Great Britain international Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy (Conn.)) was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I first team for the second-straight year, while sophomore guard Cynthia Gaudet (Coventry, R.I./LaSalle Academy) was a third team selection. 


The team received a standing ovation before the full 400-member House of Representatives.