‘An amazing script.’ Transylvania’s Juli Fulks returns to alma mater for NCAA Final Four
Thursday’s NCAA Division III Final Four in Columbus, Ohio, won’t just bring us one step closer to finding this year’s national champion — it will also serve as a homecoming for Transylvania women’s basketball head coach Juli Fulks.
Fulks, who attended Capital University in Columbus from 1996-2000 and played on the women’s basketball team from 1996-98, returns to her alma mater as the leader of the reigning national champion Pioneers.
Fulks is the architect of the NCAA’s longest active win streak (64), regardless of division, sport or gender, and earned her 400th career victory with Transylvania’s 62-48 victory over Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Elite Eight last weekend. Fulks was on the roster for part of Capital’s legendary win streak (60) in the mid-1990s.
“Any time you get to return home,” Fulks said Wednesday. “I think it’s exciting, fun for me, fun for my family. I’m really excited to see former teammates and their families. And so when I look at this entire last two years, last year, we got to be a part of one of the greatest Division III national championships ever, and then, this year, to return to my alma mater, it’s an amazing script and I’m just really grateful to be a part of it.”
Transylvania hired Fulks after 10 seasons leading Lewis & Clark. Now in her 10th season with the Pioneers, Fulks has led the team to six straight Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference titles and three straight undefeated regular seasons, including three Elite Eight appearances, two trips to the Final Four and last year’s national championship.
Dr. Holly Sheilley, Transylvania University’s vice president of athletics, said in a statement that she “couldn’t be happier” for Fulks’ continued success at the helm.
“Juli Fulks is a tremendous coach, but an even better person,” Dr. Sheilley said. “She has poured her life into student-athletes and there is no doubt the impact she has had both on the court and off. That type of mutual respect will allow athletes to excel to their true potential. I couldn’t be happier for her in winning her 400th game, another consecutive Final Four, and continuing the winning streak.”
Darrell Bailey Sr., Capital’s director of athletics and recreation, said in a statement that Fulks’ accomplishments “speak for themselves.”
“It is exciting to see a former player choose to go into coaching, it is also special when they can return to their alma mater to compete for a championship,” Bailey said. “Not knowing her personally, but reading about her shows some real work ethic and drive and I am happy that she has a chance to defend her national championship here on the Capital University campus. It appears Coach Fulks is now imparting her wealth of experience to her teams. Juli’s accomplishments speak for themselves and to obtain 400 wins is not something done by many and shows her dedication and commitment. I wish her and her Transylvania team all the best!”
Following the Pioneers’ Elite Eight victory, senior starters Dasia Thornton and Sydney Wright spoke to what it’s like to play under Fulks.
“She’s one of the best coaches,” Thornton said. “Five years is a long time, I’ve been here five years. And on and off the court she’s helped me develop as a person, and it’s just an honor to play for her and play for Transy. One of the best decisions I made was coming to Transy, going D3 and playing under Coach Fulks.”
Wright, who sustained a knee injury early in her career, said Fulks has helped her overcome several obstacles.
“My first season was during COVID and I battled the knee injury for quite a while,” Wright said. “And she helped me overcome many obstacles throughout that. She’s just helped encourage me and keeps me in the game, and locked in and focused. And helped me better myself and worked with me outside of practice to try to better myself on my defense, trying to get me back into the game and it’s clearly benefited. So I’m grateful for everything she’s done for us throughout every season so far and keeping us going.”
On Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Transylvania will face fellow unbeaten — and No. 1 overall seed — NYU (29-0). The Violets defeated Scranton 68-46 to reach the Final Four. This marks the second consecutive year the Pioneers will play the top-overall seed as the No. 2 seed, following last year’s national championship matchup against Christopher Newport.
“We’re excited for the challenge,” Fulks said. “Last year, being in the No. 1 versus 2 matchup brings incredible energy. It’s going to be great basketball. And we’re hoping that we can find a way to be good on offense and defense, and come out with the win again this time.”
The winner will play the winner of Smith College (29-3) and Wartburg College (29-2) on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Thursday
Transylvania vs. New York University
What: NCAA Division III Tournament national semifinal
Where: Capital Center Performance Arena in Columbus, Ohio
When: 7:30 p.m.
Livestream: NCAA.com
Records: Transylvania 31-0, NYU 29-0
