Bio

The 1985-86 Salem State College national champion women’s basketball team was led by head coach Tim Shea and three-time All-American guard Evelyn Oquendo, who guided the Lady Vikings to the college’s first NCAA crown. During that season, the Lady Vikings posted a 29-1 record en route to the 1986 NCAA Division III Title. Shea and Oquendo and the entire ’86 squad were inducted into the New England Hall of Fame’s inaugural group in 2003. Salem State defeated Bishop College of Dallas, TX, 89-85 on March 16, 1986 at the O’Keefe Sports Center to capture the NCAA Division III championship. The Lady Vikings, who won 23 straight to start that season, won the MASCAC Championship and finished their title run with a program best ever 29-1 record. The Lady Vikings were the first college women’s basketball team from New England to win an NCAA championship. The 1985-86 team earned induction into the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1996.