Friday, February 20, 2009

FLYING QUEEN TEAM HONORED


I am so excited about tomorrow!!! Its been ten years since I have seen, spoken to, or even thought my teammates from our 98-99 Season at Wayland. This weekend at Wayland is Homecoming and they are honoring the top 50 teams from the past 100 years of the Women's Basketball Program. I am proud to say that I am a member of that prestige program and our 98-99 season is being honored as the 50th team!!!! I am anxious to see everyone along w/the other Flying Queens teams being honored. You know what else is cool...there is a Lady by the name of "Cherri Rapp", who will be honored for two season 69-70 & 70-71...BUT here is the cool part, she is from Estelline...yep, she went to school in Estelline TX. Over the years I have been able to meet w/her and her sister Ann, who is a play writer, recently wrote a play about "Bob Wills" and it was performed in Amarillo, Tx. There is just a special bond when you become a Flying Queen. Yes you were there to play basketball but also to act like a lady, get an education and uphold "tradition." When you graduate from Wayland Baptist, Flying Queen, the owners of the Hutcherson Airport, Mike & Claude, would present you with a gold charm for a necklace w/the symbol of Flying Queens & on the back the year you graduated, all in 24K GOLD!!!! Never had a chance to wear it but you bet I am tomorrow!! I will also have more pics when I get in tomorrow night...might be late...be on the look out for some exciting stories and pictures.

Women’s basketball began at Wayland in the 1940’s when Harvest Queen Mill, a local grain mill still in operation, provided financial support. For that reason, Wayland’s women were known as the Harvest Queens, a moniker that stood until Claude Hutcherson entered the picture in the early 1950’s.

Hutcherson, a Wayland graduate and owner of Hutcherson Air Service, provided air transportation for the Queens to games in Mexico in 1948. That encounter blossomed into a full sponsorship of the team in 1950, a change that brought with it a new mascot - the Hutcherson Flying Queens.

The rich championship history of the Flying Queens can be attributed to the patronage of the Hutcherson family. Since 1950, the Queens have set an all-time collegiate record for the longest winning streak (131 consecutive games in the 1950’s) and have amassed a total of 10 AAU national championships and 10 AAU runner-up trophies.

Currently a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the Queens have been to the national tournament a 17 times.

To learn more about the Wayland Baptist University Flying Queens please visit www.wbu.edu.

5 comments:

Ginger Wilson said...

That is so exciting that you are going to be a part of this Casey! I know it will be an experience you will remember forever. You will be able to tell a lot of good stories from your experience and perhaps inspire girls to follow in your footsteps!

Anonymous said...

I'm so proud of you...Always knew you were special (and I'm not talking ed.).
Take some pictures and share with us when you get back!

Amy said...

Congrats!! Have a ball and take lots of pictures!

Marci said...

Congrats. I hope you have a good time. Be safe.

Amanda Kirkpatrick said...

can't wait to hear all your stories and see you pics!!!! :)