Meet Lauren Holtkamp, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago, and now Jenna Schroeder. Holtkamp, Moyer-Gleich, and Sago were the only three female referees that were active in the NBA for the 2018 season. The three were back in 2019 with the addition of Schroeder who became the sixth woman to make it to the NBA level in the history of the game.

All four are also former DII athletes.

In fact, this group of DII alum continue to make history. In 2024, Moyer-Gleich left her mark in NBA lore as part of 2024 playoff officiating crew, becoming just the second woman to referee an NBA playoff game. 

Schroeder is the most recent to join the NBA ranks. She was not only a graduate from Saginaw Valley State, but she was also the Cardinals leading scorer. Prior to her becoming a full-time NBA referee, we had the opportunity to speak to Holtkamp, Moyer-Gleich, and Sago at the conclusion of the 2018 season. Let’s look back at how these DII student-athletes are blazing a trail for future women in the NBA. 

Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day! Today we celebrate the women in sports leading us forward. Starting with Lauren Holtkamp, Ashley Moyer-Gleich and Natalie Sago; All current NBA refs and former collegiate athletes #NGWSD #LeadHerForward @WomensSportsFdn

The 2021 DII women’s basketball season ended with Lubbock Christian winning its third national championship in six years. 

Cal Poly Pomona won the very first title in 1982, and would go on to become one of the programs with the most championships in the history of the sport. 

Let’s take a look at the DII women’s basketball programs with the most titles. 

A PROGRAM FIRST: Glenville State wins its first national championship in 2022

Cal Poly Pomona, 5 (1982, 1985-86, 2001-02)

The Broncos set the bar for DII women’s basketball. They won the first-ever championship game and two short years later, the Broncos were the first program to go back-to-back. Cal Poly Pomona defined powerhouse, appearing in six of the first eight national championship games, winning three and losing three. The Broncos left their mark more recently as well becoming the first team to win in the new millennium, winning consecutive titles in 2001 and 2002. 

North Dakota State 5, (1991, 1993-96)

The Bison began a 1990s run of dominance by the state of North Dakota in DII women’s basketball, one in which a North Dakota program won eight of the ten titles. North Dakota State appeared in six straight national championship games,…