FRANKFORT, Ky. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Frankfort Convention Center will honor the 1981 Kentucky State University Women's Basketball National Champions March 12 to 13, 2013 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Members of the team will be on-hand to receive honors and recognition from the organizations, as well as the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the City of Frankfort. The seventh-seeded Thorobrettes defeated top-seeded Texas Southern University 73-67 for the title.

The 1981 Thorobrettes were the first women's basketball team to be awarded a national championship by a non-women's only governing body. The National Collegiate Athletic Association initiated their first championship the next season. The team was also the first women's basketball team from the Commonwealth to win a national title.

Coaches Cornieth York "C.Y." Russell and Ron Mitchell led the team to a 21-7 record with Coach Mitchell being named NAIA Coach of the Year after compiling an 11-0 record to end the season. All-American Carolyn Walker was named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament and First-Team All-Tournament and teammates Angelia Barnett and Pam King were named Second-Team All-Tournament.

They are the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to win the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship. Another historic fact is that they defeated another HBCU in the title game.

They will be honored at a press conference at 11a.m. March 12 at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort. They will also be honored at the NAIA Tip-off and Awards Banquet March 12 and half-time of the tip-off game March 13. The inaugural championship trophy will be displayed during some events.