Coach Wayne A. Smith laid the foundation of success for the Wisconsin Lutheran College women's basketball program. Smith established success despite recruiting without a home facility, on a part-time coaching basis, while also working full-time for the sheriff's department and caring for family. He took the Warriors from the lower half of the Lake Michigan Conference (LMC) standings to a team that could not be overlooked in just a few short seasons. The 1993-1994 campaign, Smith's sixth as head coach, saw WLC finish above .500 for the first time in conference play, and 1994-1995 brought the first of 10 straight winning seasons for the team. The three-time LMC Coach of the Year guided Wisconsin Lutheran to its first 20-win season and NCAA Tournament berth in 1999-2000. Three seasons later, Smith and the Warriors returned to the NCAA Tournament after posting their second 11-1 record in LMC play in three seasons. Smith, who was the first WLC coach to have a student-athlete compete in a national tournament, compiled a 223-203 record in 16 seasons as head coach. His teams amassed a mark of 134-84 in conference games.