The AIAWWomen's Basketball Tournament was a national tournament for women's collegiate basketball teams in the United States, held annually from 1972 to 1982. The winners of the AIAW tournaments from 1972 to 1981 are recognized as the national champions for those years. The AIAW tournament was discontinued after the NCAA began sponsoring a women's collegiate basketball tournament in 1982. The AIAW tournament was preceded by a tournament sponsored by the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, which was held from 1969 to 1971. Sixteen teams were invited to the tournament following qualifying rounds played on college campuses. Ten of the sixteen teams were the winners of regional tournaments. The country had nine regions, but the Eastern regional was subdivided in a Region 1A and a Region 1B. The winners of those regional championships automatically proceeded to the National tournament, then a selection committee chose additional teams based upon considerations for individual team performance and geographical balance. Beginning in 1975, the AIAW divided its teams into divisions, and held separate tournaments for Division II and Division III teams.
The first AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament was held on March 16–19, 1972. The host site was Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Sixteen teams participated. Immaculata University, coached by Hall-of-Famer Cathy Rush, was crowned national champion at the conclusion of the tournament.
Main bracket
Consolation bracket
1973 tournament
The 1973 AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament was held on March 22–25, 1973. The host site was Queens College in Flushing, New York. Sixteen teams participated, and Immaculata University was crowned national champion at the conclusion of the tournament, for the second straight year. Immaculata finished the season undefeated, becoming the first undefeated national champion in women's college basketball.
Main bracket
Consolation bracket
1974 tournament
The 1974 AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament was held on March 20–23, 1974. The host site was Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Sixteen teams participated, and Immaculata University was crowned national champion at the conclusion of the tournament for the third straight year.
Main bracket
Consolation bracket
1975 Division I tournament
The 1975 AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament was held on March 19–22, 1975. The host site was James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Sixteen teams participated, and Delta State University, coached by Hall-of-Famer Margaret Wade, was crowned national champion at the conclusion of the tournament. Delta State finished the season undefeated, becoming the second undefeated national champion.
Main bracket
Consolation bracket
1976 Division I tournament
The 1976 AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament was held on March 25–28, 1976. The host site was Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Sixteen teams participated, and Delta State University was crowned national champion at the conclusion of the tournament, for the second straight season.
Main bracket
Consolation bracket
1977 Division I tournament
The 1977 AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament was held on March 23–26, 1977. The host site was the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sixteen teams participated, and Delta State University was crowned national champion at the conclusion of the tournament for the third straight season. The 1976–1977 season also marked the release of the first AP Poll for women's basketball. Delta State finished first in the final poll, which was released prior to the 1977 AIAW Tournament.
