The Bruins were invited to the
1995 NCAA Division I softball tournament, where they swept the
West Regional and then completed a run through the
Women's College World Series to claim their seventh NCAA Women's College World Series Championship. The Bruins had earlier claimed an
AIAW title in 1978 and NCAA titles in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1992.[2]
The Bruins' participation and championship were later vacated by the NCAA.[3] In December 1995, the UCLA women's softball program was placed on probation after an investigation revealed that UCLA had awarded more scholarships than were permitted under NCAA rules. The Fresno Bee wrote that the violations "bring shame to college softball" and added, "The image of UCLA's softball program won't ever be the same. ... For two seasons, they went over the scholarship limit, the equivalent of cheating on taxes. Now they must pay."[4]
Partly as a result of an NCAA probe prompted by a Los Angeles Times investigation into UCLA pitcher
Tanya Harding, Backus announced her retirement in January 1997.[5]
The Bruins were invited to the
1995 NCAA Division I softball tournament, where they swept the
West Regional and then completed a run through the
Women's College World Series to claim their seventh NCAA Women's College World Series Championship. The Bruins had earlier claimed an
AIAW title in 1978 and NCAA titles in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1992.[2]
The Bruins' participation and championship were later vacated by the NCAA.[3] In December 1995, the UCLA women's softball program was placed on probation after an investigation revealed that UCLA had awarded more scholarships than were permitted under NCAA rules. The Fresno Bee wrote that the violations "bring shame to college softball" and added, "The image of UCLA's softball program won't ever be the same. ... For two seasons, they went over the scholarship limit, the equivalent of cheating on taxes. Now they must pay."[4]
Partly as a result of an NCAA probe prompted by a Los Angeles Times investigation into UCLA pitcher
Tanya Harding, Backus announced her retirement in January 1997.[5]