TACOMA, Wash. — Over the coming weeks, GoLutes.com will highlight the eight individuals from the 2024 Pacific Lutheran University Athletics Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted on April 6 as part of the 33rd induction class. Today's installment features women's basketball all-star point guard Becky Binger (Franza).
When considering colleges, it was a trip to PLU that made all the difference for Binger, setting in motion a Hall of Fame career on the hardwood as the Lutes' starting point guard.
"I had visited several college campuses, but when I came to PLU the environment was so welcoming. Students introduced themselves and said 'hello'. I also met the basketball team and went to class with Lucy Barker. That was enough to sell me," said Binger.
Binger wasted little time making her mark on campus, starting all 28 games as a first-year, guiding the Lutes to a Northwest Conference title and an NCAA Tournament run into the Elite Eight in 1999.
The Leavenworth, Washington native was a Second Team All-Northwest Conference selection that season and was named Honorable Mention Little All-Northwest and to the NCAA Sectional All-Tournament Team.
Binger ran the point in a tournament run that included a thrilling 56-54 home victory over California Lutheran University in the opening round and a 60-57 upset of top-seeded Simpson College in the second round.
"My freshman year we opened up the national tournament with a home game against Cal Lutheran. We were losing by one. I checked the ball in a half court and turned to see Tara Millet cutting to the free throw line. I passed her the ball, she squared up, and hit a buzzer-beater to win the game. The crowd came out of the stands and dog-piled our team. Tara and I were on the bottom of the pile. I maybe thought I was going to die for a moment, but one by one Ryan Pelphrey pulled people off the pile and finally got to us."
Binger and the Lutes smashed Hardin-Simmons University 54-34 in the Sweet 16 before falling 61-55 to College of Saint Benedict in the Elite Eight.
"Becky is a very good basketball player and as she goes we go. To have a freshman come in and do the kind of job she did this year is remarkable," said then head coach Gil Rigell after the team's tourney run.
There would be no sophomore slump for Binger, earning First Team All-Conference accolades while guiding the Lutes to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Binger was First Team All-NWC again as a junior before putting together her best season as a senior.
Binger helped the Lutes notch their best season in program history as a senior in 2001-2002, finishing the season with a then school record 23 wins, winning another conference crown, and another trip to the Elite Eight. The guard secured First Team All-League for the third consecutive year while also earning Second Team Little All-Northwest and Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-District.
Binger played a big role in the run to the Elite Eight, scoring 20 points in a 60-54 second round win over Saint Benedict. The Lutes ended the season ranked 12th in the nation while Binger was a key reason the 2002 senior class finished up as the winningest class in program history, owning an 85-22 record over their four seasons, including an incredible 58-8 record in NWC play.
And while Binger won a slew of accolades on her time on campus, one of the biggest lessons learned at PLU was taking joy in helping others.
"True joy comes from serving others. I learned this in the thick of battle with my teammates."
While there were tons of great memories on the hardwood, Binger cites meeting her future husband— fellow 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee Aaron Binger— as one of the highlights of her time at PLU.
Binger graduated in 2002 with a degree in education. Binger currently is a mother to three sons— Jack, Coen, and Griffin— is a coach, and is involved with the Children's Ministry at the church her family attends.
