Officials at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame recently named 10 coaches, former players and contributors to its third class of inductees. Honorees included Illinois coach Theresa Grentz and coach and general manager Van Chancellor of the WNBA’s Houston Comets. Both are among the most well-known names in the ranks of modern coaching. Three members of the 1980 Olympic team were inducted, including LaTaunya Pollard, Rosie Walker and Holly Warlick, an assistant coach at her alma mater in Tennessee. Phyllis Holmes, the first female president of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics was selected, along with Linda Sharp, whose coaching career spans three decades and includes two national championships. Former amateur player Hazel Walker and Bulgarian star Vanya Voynova were honored posthumously. The Hall now boasts 68 inductees.
Though hall of fame induction could suggest the deceleration of one’s career, the novelty of the Women’s Hall allows for its inductees to remain active in their careers. “I’m amazed,” said Chancellor, “I still have some years to coach.” Grentz also noted that she plans to keep coaching as long as she enjoys it.
