General | 2/17/2013 8:17:00 AM

DENTON, Texas (Feb. 17) – In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of NCAA Division II, 48 former student-athletes are set to be honored by the NCAA throughout 2013. Developed through a partnership with the Division II Conference Commissioners Association, the 40th Anniversary Tribute Team highlights one male and one female from each of the division's 23 current conferences, plus two at-large nominees.

Former TWU basketball player Dr. Tammi Julch-Williams was selected by the Lone Star Conference as the female representative on the tribute team.  Roberto Garza (Football and Track & Field) of Texas A&M-Kingsville is the male representative.

“I am absolutely humbled to be considered for the honor of being named to the NCAA Division II Tribute Team,” said Williams.  “I am speechlessly honored to be named as a member amongst these elite student athletes that have graced Division II athletics over the past 40 years. The years I spent at Texas Woman's University and playing Division II basketball have continued to be a cherished time in my life and regarded by me as an important stepping stone to my career and future success.”

Williams, a 2002 TWU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, was a dominant post player for the Pioneers from 1990-94.  She finished her four-year career with 1,644 points, 805 rebounds, 154 steals and 57 blocks.  Williams is currently ranked second all-time in points and rebounds in TWU's basketball record books.

The Arlington, Texas native was a three-time All-Lone Star Conference and LSC All-Academic Team selection.  Williams also received CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in 1992-93 and 1993-94 and was named the 1994 Division II NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Texas.

She was named TWU Basketball's Most Outstanding Athlete three consecutive years.  The TWU Athletics Council selected her to receive the 1993-94 President's Award, the highest award given to a current Pioneer student-athlete.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a 3.926 grade point average.

For all her work on and off the basketball court, Williams earned the prestigious $5,000 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Award in 1994.  She went on to medical school and graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1998.  She is board certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics, and is a Fellow Member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Williams is currently a pediatrician at the Medical and Surgical Clinic of Irving, Texas.  Along with her husband Geray, she is raising a family of five - stepson Geray Jr., Halle, Lexi, Gesiah, and Amani.

“Tammi Julch-Williams' story could not be a more perfect fit for this tribute team and what it represents,” said Stan Wagnon, Lone Star Conference Commissioner.  “The NCAA asked us to identify former student-athletes who embody what it means to participate in Division II athletics: those who made the most of their resources while on campus, kept a proper balance between academics and athletics, and went on to enjoy success in life after college. Tammi is all of that and more. I watched Tammi play all four years of her career, so I remember quite well the type of player she was and what a tremendous ambassador she was for both TWU and the LSC on the basketball court. Her academic achievements were equally as impressive, but what's great is to see how her success in the classroom has translated into a successful career. She's very deserving to be a part of this elite list.”

Division II gained its own unique intercollegiate athletics identity when Divisions I, II and III were formalized during a special NCAA Convention held in 1973.  Prior to 1973, the NCAA was organized into two divisions––“University” and “College.”

The year-long 40th Anniversary celebration will feature a number of initiatives branded by Division II's tradition, history and community influence. A special 40th Anniversary highlight video was unveiled to Division II membership during the 2013 NCAA Convention, officially kicking off the celebration.