As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the program's Division II era. Each week, UIS will feature one team and one player, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.

The first team to be honored is the 2012 UIS Softball Team, a program-defining squad and Hall of Fame team, inducted into the Prairie Stars Hall of Fame in 2022. The 2012 team made history as the first Prairie Stars program to earn a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament, setting a new standard for success in the early years of the department's DII era.

UIS finished the season with an impressive 36-22 overall record and a 22-12 mark in GLVC play, capturing the GLVC West Division Regular Season title. The Prairie Stars advanced to the championship game of both the GLVC Tournament and the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Tournament, showcasing a championship-caliber competitiveness that elevated the program on the national stage.

The 2012 team's postseason run marked a turning point for UIS Athletics—demonstrating that Prairie Stars teams could compete among the region's and nation's best. Their legacy continues to shape the program and makes them a fitting first honoree in this year's Division II anniversary celebration.