RUSTON – When Louisiana Tech hosts Southern Miss Saturday at the Thomas Assembly Center, this year's Lady Techsters will be playing in front of a crowd that will include players from the program's past.

Tech celebrates its annual Legends Day this weekend, a time when all former players, coaches and support staff members from the program's history are invited back to Ruston to celebrate the storied program and exchange memories and stories.

This year the University is recognizing the three Lady Techster teams that were coached by the late Kurt Budke from 2002 through 2005. And many of the heavy hitters from those three years have RSVP'd for the game, including names like Cheryl Ford, Tasha (Crain) Williams, Shan (Moore) Williams, Erica (Smith) Taylor, Ty (Moore) King, Tamika (Kursh) Williams and Amber (Obaze) Ford.

Although many of their last names have changed, they all are still entrenched in the program's successes of the past. Some 12 to 15 years later, they still remember their days wearing the Lady Techster uniform and what those experiences meant then and still mean today.

"I really didn't know just what to expect from the transition from high school to playing for a University whose women's basketball team was a dominant force full of talented players and tradition," said Ty Moore. "The level of play competition was turned up, and I truly enjoyed each and every challenge and experience.

"Not only on the court but also in the classroom; having to balance college life with school work and basketball; then, later becoming a mom. It was tough but my family, teammates, and friends supported me."

Family. A word that has true meaning to the former players when talking about their teammates and their days with the Lady Techsters.

"Given the opportunity to travel many places and play against teams such as, LSU, Tennessee, Texas Tech and Florida State just to name a few while playing in the NCAA Tournaments was a dream come true," said Moore. "Our fans, booster club members were super supportive and the hoop troop was my favorite! All the while, meeting new friends and making memories that I have and still keep in my heart today."

Many of the stories this weekend will revolve around their former coach, Kurt Budke. After serving as Leon Barmore's associate head coach for two years, Budke took over the reins of the program in August of 2002 when the legendary Hall of Fame coach retired.

During his three years at the helm of the Techsters program, Budke guided those teams to a combined mark of 80-16, including a 49-5 record in regular season league games. Three Western Athletic Conference regular season titles, two WAC Tournament titles and three appearances in the NCAA Tournament were also a part of his tenure.

Budke and former assistant coach Miranda Serna both left for Oklahoma State following the 2004-05 season. They were both tragically killed on Nov. 17, 2011, when the plan they were flying in on a recruiting trip crashed right outside of Perry, Arkansas.

Budke's widow Shelly and daughter Sara will both be making the trip back to Ruston for the weekend, the first time Shelly said she has been back since the family left to head to Stillwater in 2005.

It should make for quite a reunion for Shelly, Sara and the Lady Techsters from those teams.

"Coach Budke was always so laid back and really a fun coach," said Erica (Smith) Taylor. "I remember coming in the gym and he would walk in and say, 'Okay, let's put an hour and 30 on the clock and if you guys go hard, we're done.' When we had those short practices, we were about to kill each other."

Competition whether against each other in practice or the opposing team is what drove these players to greatness. Budke simply steer the ship and demanded the best.

"You knew exactly what your role was with Coach Budke," said Tasha (Crain) Williams, named WAC Player of the Year in 2005. "There was a huge transition for me from my sophomore to my junior year. Every statistical column increased dramatically and was absolutely necessary for us to win.

"While in our huddle before a game he said, 'Crain, I want you to take the first five or six shots.' My response was, 'Who? Me?' He slapped me on the arm and said, 'Yeah, you.' I then replied, 'Do you know you said that out loud?' His aggressive, game-time face turned into a half smirk, half smile.

"The man knew how to win and was going to do it by any means necessary. We all trusted his process."

Following in the footsteps of a living legend wasn't easy. Barmore had won 576 games and directed the LA Tech program to the summit of women's basketball during his two decades as head coach. Budke didn't flinch from the challenge.

"Being a player under Coach Budke meant you couldn't give anything less than your 110 percent," said Ty Moore. "He wouldn't let you. His experience as a coach and love for the game was driven through his support as a coach for his players.

"Our practices were always intense to whereas he only wanted the best from each player; so, being an undersized post player with veteran players ahead of me, I had no choice but to get better and he made sure each player did just that as well.

"He was a very passionate coach and would argue a call if he felt it was unfair just to fire us up! And it worked."

Katie (Cochran) Hall was an assistant on Budke's staffs, and she remembers both Kurt and Miranda fondly.

"When I think of Kurt Budke, it brings a smile to my face," said Hall. "He had a way to make things fun around the office and in the gym. He always loved a good prank, too. People really enjoyed being around him which made him a good recruiter. In the homes of a recruit, the parents felt at ease and knew he would take care of their daughter while away from home.

"Miranda had a heart of gold, and she was the most compassionate person I knew. She put her heart and soul into our current players and was relentless with recruiting. She was rarely in a bad mood and was positive and uplifting to everyone around her. She inspired me to be a better person."

Budke was enshrined into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, the eighth member of the Louisiana Tech women's basketball program that has earned the prestigious honor.
And rightly so. His resume on the court is impressive.

• 468 career wins as a head coach
• 4 National Junior College Athletic Association national titles at Trinity Valley Community College
• 6 NCAA Tournament appearances, 3 Sweet 16s
• 2 WNIT appearances

However, it's not the wins or the losses or the titles that stand out in the minds of those who played for Kurt Budke. It's the man.

"Coach Budke truly loved his family and spoke highly of them," said Ty Moore. "He also spoke about how important family is and how our team is family as well."

"I always admired him because he was such a family man," said Taylor. "It seemed as though nothing came before his family."

So on Saturday when Louisiana Tech celebrates Legends Day and honors the players, coaches and support staff members of those three teams, so much of what will be talked about will be bigger than the wins and the titles. It will be about family.

"Most of all, how grateful I am for all of the strength and support I received through my challenges and life's experiences shared at Louisiana Tech University," said Ty Moore. "Once a Lady Techster, always a Lady Techster."