Banner night

~ Smith made his first appearance at theShow Me Center since his leave and resignation.

Southeast Missouri State's most successful Division I women's basketball season was celebrated Saturday night.

After the current Redhawks beat Tennessee Tech, most of last year's team gathered at mid-court as two Ohio Valley Conference championship banners were unveiled from the rafters of the Show Me Center.

As the players and coaches were introduced individually, by far the biggest applause from the enthusiastic crowd was reserved for B.J. Smith, the Redhawks' head coach a year ago when they captured the program's first OVC regular-season and tournament titles, which resulted in the program's first NCAA Division I tournament berth.

"It felt good," said Smith, who received a standing ovation.

Smith, who had a four-year record at Southeast of 79-41 -- the best in the OVC during that period -- was placed on paid leave by the university on Nov. 9, just two days before the season opener at Tulsa, and his resignation was announced on Dec. 6.

The Southeast women's basketball program remains under NCAA investigation for alleged rules infractions. Some of them were acknowledged this summer by the university, which self-imposed several sanctions on the program.

Under the terms of Smith's release agreement with the university, he has been prohibited from attending practices, games or team meetings through May -- with the exception of Saturday.

So the appearance marked the first time Smith has been in the Show Me Center since his leave and resignation.

"It's really good to be back, and it's great to be appreciated," Smith said. "I'm happy to see them win. One thing I dreaded was if we lost. And to beat Tech makes it even better."

Tennessee Tech has been Southeast's top OVC rival in recent years, tying for the regular-season title before falling to the Redhawks in the conference tournament.

While Smith is no longer associated with the program, he still feels connected.

"The program has come a long way the last four years and hopefully that tradition will continue," Smith said.

In addition to Smith and assistant coach Lisa Pace -- who also is an assistant on this season's squad -- 12 of the 15 players from a year ago took part in the ceremony, including seven who are on this year's team

Tatiana Conceicao was a notable absentee. The two-time all-OVC first-teamer is currently playing professional basketball in her native Brazil.

But most of the other standouts from last season were on hand, including Simone Jackson, Natalie Purcell, Wanika Owsley and Katrisha Dunn.

"Just to be back and see everybody ... the support is amazing," said Jackson, who is currently finishing up work on a second degree at Southeast. "And it's my first time seeing coach B.J. [since his resignation], which was nice."

Said Purcell, who is also still attending Southeast: "This is great. It's really good to be rewarded publicly. It's good to all be back and be recognized, and it's great to see coach B.J. back in the gym."