"My last will and testament to the "Margaret Wade Trophy" will be the satisfaction that prospects of the award will create and stimulate desires in young women athletes throughout the country which will propel them to their greatest achievements in athletics; if their athletic accomplishments can be recognized by the award, then my life has been worthwhile."

~Lily Margaret Wade
Pioneer of Women's Basketball

Each year the best player in Division I women's basketball is bestowed the most distinct award of its kind, named after a woman who changed the face of the sport forever. The setting: Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississippi. This landmark is the plateau where Lily Margaret Wade pioneered a movement in women's collegiate basketball, first, as a student-athlete, then as an administrator, but most notably as a coach. Garnered as "The Mother of Modern Women's Collegiate Basketball," Wade pioneered an unprecedented dynasty in women's basketball, which led to the growth and popularity of the sport during the 1970's. Today, Lily Margaret Wade's legacy is remembered and symbolized through the oldest and most prestigious award presented in Division I women's basketball, The State Farm Wade Trophy.

The Spirit of Lily Margaret Wade lives, not only through the recipients of the award, but also through alliances formed. In June of 2000, the WBCA acquired the marketing and sales rights for the Wade Trophy from the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) and established the Wade Trophy Coalition to select the best women's basketball player in NCAA Division I.

Before the shoe endorsements and major television contracts, was a vision. The person behind that vision was a woman dedicated to the advancement of women and girls in the sport of basketball. The key ingredients of that vision included a dash of dedication, a helping of perseverance, an ounce of determination and an unlimited amount of courage. These were all the makings of a legacy in women's collegiate basketball, distinctively known as Lily Margaret Wade. Since her untimely passing eight years ago, her spirit continues to inspire woman at every level of basketball. Each year that inspiration is promoted through the prestigious State Farm Wade Trophy, named in her honor twenty-nine years ago. Through its supporters, the State Farm Wade Trophy has and will continue to be a symbol of growth, strength, excellence and an everlasting force behind the spirit of women's basketball.

Definition
"The Wade Trophy represents the best of women's collegiate basketball. It is awarded annually to the greatest female basketball player in the country who not only excels athletically, but serves as a positive role model both on and off the court." The Wade Trophy, named after the late, legendary three-time national champion, Delta State University coach Lily Margaret Wade, debuted in 1978 as the first-ever women's national player of the year award in college basketball.

Eligibility
All academically eligible women's basketball athletes in NCAA Division I (sophomore, junior or senior) who are members of the Division I State Farm Coaches' All-America Team qualify as candidates to receive the State Farm Wade Trophy. Freshmen are not eligible for the State Farm Wade Trophy Player of teh Year honor.

Criteria (In Priority Order)
1. NCAA Division I basketball player (sophomore, junior or senior) who is a member of the Division I State Farm Coaches' All-America Team. Selection is based on team statistics, improvement from year-to-year and contribution to the team.

a. Seniors and juniors are eligible automatically.
b. Sophomores may be nominated if the majority of the selection committee agrees that the sophomore in question is worthy of such high honors.

2. A player who embodies the "Spirit of Margaret Wade."

a. Excellence on the court (as defined above)
b. Academically eligible to compete as defined by the NCAA and the institution.
c. Adheres to the principles of sportsmanship and ethical conduct as outlined in NCAA Constitution 2.4.

Nomination
Nominees are selected from the pool of State Farm Coaches' All-America nominees within NCAA Division I.

Selection
Nominees are selected from the pool of the Division I State Farm Coaches' All-America Team. The State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year Committee selects the winner for this award.

Presentation
The State Farm Wade Trophy is presented annually at the WBCA National Convention.

Past Wade Trophy Recipients:
2009 - Maya Moore, Connecticut
2008 - Candice Wiggins, Stanford
2007 - Candace Parker, Tennessee
2006 - Seimone Augustus, LSU
2005 - Seimone Augustus, LSU
2004 - Alana Beard, Duke
2003 - Diana Taurasi, Connecticut
2002 - Sue Bird, Connecticut
2001 - Jackie Stiles, Southwest Missouri State
2000 - Edwina Brown, Texas
1999 - Stephanie White-McCarty, Purdue
1998 - Ticha Penicheiro, Old Dominion
1997 - DeLisha Milton, Florida
1996 - Jennifer Rizzotti, Connecticut
1995 - Rebecca Lobo, Connecticut
1994 - Carol Ann Shudlick, Minnesota
1993 - Karen Jennings, Nebraska
1992 - Susan Robinson, Penn State
1991 - Daedra Charles, Tennessee
1990 - Jennifer Azzi, Stanford
1989 - Clarissa Davis, Texas
1988 - Teresa Weatherspoon, Louisiana Tech
1987 - Shelly Pennefeather, Villanova
1986 - Kamie Ethridge, Texas
1985 - Cheryl Miller, USC
1984 - Janice Lawrence, Louisiana Tech
1983 - LaTaunya Pollard, Long Beach State
1982 - Pam Kelly, Louisiana Tech
1981 - Lynette Woodard, Kansas
1980 - Nancy Lieberman, Old Dominion
1979 - Nancy Lieberman, Old Dominion
1978 - Carol Blazejowski, Montclair State

Note: Two-time State Farm Wade Trophy winners: Nancy Lieberman and Seimone Augustus