How to get a statue
As the 2025 NCAA Basketball Tournament approaches, let’s take a moment to rewind to one of the most iconic moments in Notre Dame women’s basketball history—Muffet McGraw’s second Final Four appearance as head coach and her first national championship victory in 2001. That unforgettable night in St. Louis saw the Irish take down Purdue, cementing “Muffet and Her Miracles” in Notre Dame lore forever.
The following excerpt, written by Tim Casey, comes from The Observer’s Monday, April 2, 2001, issue, capturing the emotion, drama, and significance of that historic championship win.
Muffet and Her Miracles earn first-ever national title
by Tim Casey
She should retire. Right here. Atop the podium near the middle of the Savvis Center court, Muffet McGraw should grab the ESPN microphone from Michele Tafoya, wave at the Notre Dame cheering section and proclaim, “I quit. It can’t get any better than this. The basketball portion of my life has reached its peak.”
An absurd suggestion?
Without a doubt.
But wouldn’t that be an appropriate climax to this wacky season -a five and a half month odyssey from a lonely Oct. 15 practice to a net-cutting ceremony in front of thousands?
Move over Gip. Move over Rock. Move over Moose.
Make room for Muffet and Her Miracles.
(Notice the capital H. Appropriate for this Catholic school. Fathers Hesburgh, Joyce, Cavanaugh and Sorin would be proud.)
Think Bob Davie and Mike Brey, who were both in attendance, are a little jealous?
“Career-wise, I think it [a national title] is a nice thing to have on your resume,” McGraw said.
It’s not a bad thing to have in your memories, either.
Whoever scheduled “Hoosiers” on ESPN Classic right before Notre Dame-Purdue on the mother station should be given a raise this morning.
An Indiana farm girl knocking down two game-winning free throws for a title?
Only thing missing was Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper.
And Ruth Riley was more Jimmy Chitwood than Ollie McClellan.
“Somebody asked me what my favorite part of that movie was and I said, ‘where Ollie hit those two free throws,’” Riley said. “I didn’t have to underhand them but … “
We know the rest. Our parents know the rest. Heck, Sporting America knows the rest.
Who would have thought it?
At a school where the two biggest sports are unquestionably football and spring football, the 2001 women’s basketball team made LoVecchio, Arnaz and GI seem insignificant.
At a school where females weren’t admitted until 1972, the 2001 women’s basketball team even garnered support from “old-school” Notre Dame men.
At a school where myth and folklore reign supreme, the 2001 women’s basketball team actually achieved a significant on-field moment.
Where have you gone Tony Rice? Where have you gone Lou Holtz? Where have you gone Frank Stams?
(I know. The women’s soccer squad won the national title in 1995. But this is by far the biggest win since Holtz’s 1988 team won the 11th football national championship.)
Prior to the season, only the most diehard of Irish lovers would have predicted a national title.
At least one prominent coach thought your humble servant believed this was the year.
“‘I know you’re writing for Notre Dame and you want to write, you know, that I spent all summer worrying about Notre Dame,” Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said on Friday night. “The only thing I spent all summer worrying about was where my next beer and my next tan was coming from.”
Thanks for the quote, Geno.
I knew you thought you would win the title. And why not? Connecticut returned its top eight scorers from the Huskies’ 2000 national championship team and added the nation’s top high school senior. Last season, Connecticut had a 36-1 record, with the only blemish being a 72-71 loss on Feb. 2. Only three of the 36 victories were decided by less than 10 points.
So it was a safe bet that the Storrs would celebrate once again on April Fools Day 2001.
As the season went on, Gena’s preseason arrogance shrank.
And Notre Dame’s new darlings believed they could actually compete with the mighty Huskies.
“I know we talked about it (winning a national title) last year,” McGraw said. “But it was sort of a hollow goal. I don’t think the team was ready to achieve that, I don’t think they were mature enough, I don’t think they worked hard enough.”
After the Jan. 15 victory over Connecticut, Muffet and Her Miracles spoke a lot about how this was “a year of destiny.” After every ensuing game, someone would refer to 2001 as the “perfect season.”
Then came this weekend.
Down 12 at the half against Connecticut? If it was last year, forget about it. It was safer to bet that Jim Sanson would actually connect on an over 40-yard field goal than to put your money on a Notre Dame comeback.
A tight game against Purdue? If it was last year, Riley would have fouled out and the Irish would have been wound tighter than a Britney Spears top.
But instead, there was Riley at the free throw line with 5.8 seconds remaining, with the game tied.
The first shot grazed the front rim and fell through the hoop, giving the Irish only their third lead of the night.
Moments later, a Purdue-based reporter sitting beside me almost fell out of his chair.
“It pays to have the Big Guy on your side sometimes,” he said.
It also pays to have the Big Girl. And when Purdue’s Katie Douglas decided she would not perform a Sue Bird impersonation, it was time for the cameras to capture the scene.
The hugs. The kisses. The tears.
Niele Ivey also wanted to relive the moments. So the senior point guard, who ended her five-year career just minutes away from her home, grabbed a Sony camcorder from her boyfriend, Irish receiver Javin Hunter.
Around 9:55p.m. after the awards ceremony, after the final strand of net had been cut, Ivey finally headed towards the locker room.
She was the last player to leave the court.
“I can’t wait to watch it again,” Ivey said “It seems like it all happened so fast.”
Now it’s over, this wacky season is over.
And Notre Dame, Our Mother has found 12 adopted daughters.
Nearly a quarter-century later, the legacy of Muffet McGraw and her 2001 championship team still resonates. That season was more than just a title run—it was a statement, a breakthrough, and a moment of pride for Notre Dame fans everywhere. The resilience, heart, and sheer determination of “Muffet and Her Miracles” not only secured a place in history but also set the stage for future success.
As we look ahead to this year’s NCAA Tournament, we remember that magical night in St. Louis—a reminder that greatness at Notre Dame isn’t just reserved for the gridiron. It’s found in the stories of athletes who defy the odds, believe in their team, and etch their names into Irish lore forever.
Cheers & GO IRISH!