Feb. 8, 2001

On Saturday, Feb. 10, Villanova University will retire the jersey of former Wildcat standout Kathie Beisel at halftime of the women's basketball game against Syracuse. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Beisel's number 10 will join past honorees and hang from the rafters of The Pavilion. Keeping with tradition, Beisel's jersey will be retired but her number will stay in circulation.

Beisel played for head coach Harry Perretta and the Wildcats from 1979-83. During her career, she helped lead the Wildcats to three 20 win seasons and an 85-30 record. As a junior in 1981-82, Beisel started all 33 games for a Villanova team that went 29-4 and advanced to the AIAW Final Four. During that Final Four season, Beisel averaged 12.0 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 5.1 apg., and 2.9 spg. As a senior in 1982-83, Beisel was named first team All-Big East Conference.

"Kathie Beisel is one of the best all around players that I have coached during my career at Villanova," said Perretta. "She was a great competitor who excelled in all phases of the game. She is truly deserving of this honor."

A tenacious defensive player, Beisel still holds the school record for steals in a career with 339. Beisel also ranks high on a number of Villanova career lists including seventh in scoring (1,328 points), third in assists (507) and fourth in rebounding (729). Beisel still holds six Wildcat school records including minutes played in a season, assists by a freshman and steals by a junior.

Beisel, a graduate of St. Hubert's High School and a native of Philadelphia, Pa., joins Shelly Pennefather, Nancy Bernhardt and Lisa Ortlip as the four Wildcat women's players to have their jersey retired.