 The year was 1971. No one, absolutely no one knew what to expect. No one except for a 20-something-year-old coach who had a dream. A coach whose dream became the dawn of women's basketball as we know it today. The great Kathy Rush was the architect of the foundation known as the Mighty Max from Immaculata College. The now university is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first of three national titles. One of the greatest thrills I think was to see Immaculata basketball girls team. The marquee of Madison Square Garden. The first time that a women's college basketball team was on that marquee. In 1972 a group of remarkable young women and their coach Kathy Rush did what many thought was impossible. Winning their first ever national women's college basketball championship for Immaculata. First of three consecutive national titles so I just want to say congratulations to the legendary Mighty Max. You demonstrated a dominance rarely seen in any sport. I'm talking women's or men's becoming true heroes of intercollegiate athletics. Blessings to all. Behind me are three gigantic trophies. Trophies that were won by our Mighty Max team years of 72, 73, 74. Every student that comes and takes a tour to see Immaculata University we make sure we take them through this building and point out those trophies. We're very excited even 50 years later. So on behalf of the faculty staff and students of Immaculata University congratulations Mighty Max. Now 50 years after Immaculata won its first national championship in 1972. One of the times seemed an improbable journey for so many different reasons. We celebrate that 1971 to 72 Immaculata team. A team that was long on skill, teamwork, friendship and community and created a path to future Immaculata championships. Hi Mighty Max. Wow it's still so hard to believe what took place 50 years ago. As a Mighty Max myself we all know what a great place Immaculata University is and that's because Immaculata is a place where they make you believe anything is possible. Today we're honoring 50 years ago all that you accomplished with your first championship win. Thank you for reminding us of what we're all capable of doing. Thank you for providing so many including myself the opportunities we have today. Go Max. Hey congratulations Kathy and to the Mighty Max and I have to say you are mighty in 72, 73 and 74 when you became the national champs. You are an excellent program and a program for us to strive to achieve. So enjoy your celebration and have a drink on me. First I'm just incredibly humbled to be asked to be a part of this special occasion. Fifty years is when you think about it. It's you know a half a century has gone by and the memories that you all made are going to last another century or more as long as they start to talk as long as they ever talk about women's basketball. For me personally to to actually have had contact with gotten to know coach against and have personal and great relationships with a lot of the people involved makes it even more personal for me having grown up there and experiencing it firsthand and not even knowing what we were experiencing at the time and now looking back it was a magical time and we didn't know it and you probably didn't know it that it was such a magical time. Congratulations to the Immaculata championship basketball teams. I personally want to thank you for all that you have done to highlight the efficacy of women's athletics the legacy of Immaculata University and the pioneering spirit of being the first women's championship team. Thank you you are an inspiration to all of us. Hi I'm Mayor Jim Kenny and I wanted to congratulate the Immaculata Mighty Max on the 50th anniversary of winning your first of three national women's college basketball championships. The city of Philadelphia is proud of you and your accomplishments and Immaculata should be incredibly proud of their historic run. Bravo. Congratulations on your achievements. We are so proud of you and proud that you have built the legacy of Immaculata University. Go Mighty Max. 50 years ago I was a sophomore when we won our first national basketball championship so I knew the players quite well. Also I was one of six lucky students who drove all night long to get to normal Illinois to actually be at the first national championship. Congratulations Mighty Max and I send a half a century's worth of thanks for the legacy you continue to share with Immaculata. Blessings to all. Congratulations Mighty Max on a groundbreaking legacy for Immaculata University and women's basketball. Hello champs I hope you know that you have inspired young female athletes for over 50 years. Congratulations. Go Max. For me their enduring legacy is simple but very meaningful. At a time when most colleges did not offer women's athletic scholarships for college basketball these young students played the game of basketball simply because they loved to play, loved to compete and loved the friendships they formed. The 1971 to 72 Immaculata team was a new face in this country behind which there were many young female basketball players all over the country with the same love of the game and they helped shine a light on the importance and joy of women's athletics. Congratulations. To the families of the players that are no longer with us congratulations and hold on to your memories. To the players that are all in attendance so much admiration and respect for all of you there's a direct connection there that that that I would like to to share in that you know obviously Judy you know and I have a relationship based on our our friendships you know and and with Phil and but what Kathy Rush did not just for you but for thousands and thousands and thousands of kids who came through her camp and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people who worked her camps college coaches who came to recruit at her camps and people like me that worked there and got to know her personally and it changed my life because I wanted to met Phil and I wouldn't have had the opportunity to go back to Kenrick and I wouldn't have had the opportunity to go to UVA with Debbie Ryan and I wouldn't be here today so I feel like not only did Immaculata and you all and Kathy win those three national championships in a row but I think in a lot of ways you're also responsible for the 11 that we have so congratulations love you all and I wish I could really be there I love nothing more to be there to walk in there and just look at all your faces and see what this all means to you so congrats god bless you and this former kager at the university of Richmond is more than proud to be part of the celebration acknowledging this incredible basketball program school and all who played a role in its success by the way it was such an honor many years ago to interview the cast and crew of the mighty max motion picture right here such a feel good inspirational film and today you can't help but feel good and be inspired by the mighty max story two thumbs up a heartfelt congratulations and thank you on behalf of all the students here at Immaculata we want to congratulate the mighty max on their 50th anniversary of their first national championship go mighty max we high school basketball team congratulates the mighty max on their 50th anniversary we stand on your shoulders because we know we wouldn't be where we are without you congratulations on the 50th anniversary of your national championship we are so proud to carry on this legacy congratulations they were here it was a different era they were here for college education not to play baseball but they were stars on that team