University of North Carolina Athletics
Hatchell Selected For Hall of Fame
November 16, 2003 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Sylvia Hatchell, the women's basketball head coach at North Carolina since 1986, has been selected for induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, the organization announced on Sunday. Hatchell is part of a six-member class that will be enshrined during ceremonies June 11-12, 2004, at the Hall of Fame, located in Knoxville, Tenn.
"It's a tremendous honor to be recognized by your peers for doing something you have such a passion for," Hatchell said. "I've seen the sport grow so much over the last 30 years, and that's been so rewarding. The current members of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame are such a distinguished group and I'm truly honored to be in their company."
Hatchell enters her 18th season at UNC, which begins on Friday with a game against St. Francis (Pa.), with a record of 358-175. In her 29th year as a head coach, she has a career mark of 630-255. She ranks sixth in total wins among active Division I women's basketball coaches and is one of just eight with more than 600 career wins.
A North Carolina native who grew up a Tar Heel fan, Hatchell has led Carolina to an NCAA Championship (1994) and four Atlantic Coast Conference crowns (1994, '95, '97and '98). Prior to taking over the Tar Heel program, Hatchell coached Francis Marion to a 272-80 mark over 11 seasons. She led the Lady Patriots a pair of national championships, an NAIA title in 1986 and an AIAW small college division crown in 1982. She is the only women's basketball coach to lead teams to national championships on the AIAW, NAIA and NCAA Division I levels.
In addition to Hatchell, the class of 2004 includes:
With the addition of the Class of 2004, the list of Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductees will total 79.
"This is another distinguished class of inductees into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame," said Jody Conradt, University of Texas women's basketball coach, president of the Hall of Fame's Board of Directors, and herself a Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee in 1999. "This is a great mix of people who have been so integral to the growth of women's basketball at all levels--in the AAU ranks, in Division I and Division II basketball, and in USA Basketball and international competition."
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Board of Directors serves as the selection committee in determining which individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Voting is based on various factors, which may include moral character, integrity, sportsmanship, record of performance, ability, national or international recognition, and contributions to the game of women's basketball.
