Official Site of the Midwest Conference

Gretchen Gates made an indelible mark on UChicago women’s basketball history throughout her time on the hardwood from 1982-86. A prolific player in the post, Gates made an immediate impact upon her arrival in Hyde Park. The American Women’s Sports Federation (AWSF) named her the Freshman Player of the Year in 1983, and she appropriately bookended her career by receiving the AWSF NCAA Division III Player of the Year in 1986. Along the way, she was a four-time All-American. 
 
Gates is the school’s all-time career leader in six categories with 1,924 points, 1,056 rebounds, 847 field goals, 1,519 field goal attempts, .558 field goal percentage and 22.9 points per game. Additionally, she owns four single-season records, which includes 580 points scored in her senior season (26.4 points per game). That year, Gates also averaged 14.0 rebounds per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the field. She set the program’s single-game scoring mark as well with 43 points versus Colorado College. 
 
The Maroons posted a four-year team record of 57-28 (.671 winning percentage) with Gates on the roster. She was a dominant force within the Midwest Conference, leading the league in scoring all four years while earning All-MWC honors each season. 
 
An elite performer in competition and in the classroom, Gates was a First Team Academic All-American in 1985-86 and a Third Team Academic All-American in 1984-85.
 
Gates graduated with honors from UChicago with a bachelor’s degree in economics. She garnered the prestigious Howell Murray Alumni Association Award for her contribution to the extra curriculum at the University of Chicago. Gates also received an NCAA postgraduate scholarship in 1986, which she used to attend Harvard Law School (graduating with honors). 
 
Gates was inducted into the UChicago Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003 as one of the most accomplished Maroons in school history.