Press Release : Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA -The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has selected Jack North as the recipient of the WBCA President’s Award.  This distinguished award is presented and chosen by the active president of the WBCA to an individual who has given a tireless commitment to the development of women’s basketball.

“On behalf of the WBCA, I’m proud to present the 2008 President’s Award to Jack North,” said Sherri Coale, WBCA President and Oklahoma head coach.  “Through his contributions to the development of The State Farm Wade Trophy, the State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team, women’s basketball and women’s athletics as a whole, our game has reached an unprecedented and exciting new level.”

North is a former senior executive vice president of State Farm. While at State Farm, North was instrumental in guiding State Farm’s role as an advocate and sponsor of women’s basketball and women’s athletics. North supported women’s basketball awards programs through sponsorships of both The State Farm Wade Trophy in 2002 and the State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team beginning in 2008. He also maintained the company’s sponsorship of the State Farm Women’s Tip-Off Classic and built a relationship as an official corporate partner of the NCAA.
 
Prior to becoming senior executive vice president in 2001, North was a senior vice president after spending time as deputy regional vice president at the Illinois Regional office and later the regional vice president in Illinois.  He started his career as an agent in Pennsylvania in 1981. North retired in 2007 after 26 years at State Farm.

North is currently the president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors, a position he moved into in January 2008 after serving as second vice president. He has been a member of the board since its inception in 1999. North is involved in other community organizations, and he was a leader in Illinois State University’s “Redefining Normal” capital campaign several years ago.

“It is an honor for us to present the WBCA President’s Award to Jack North,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “I have enjoyed working with Jack for many years.  His tireless commitment to the game of women’s basketball and his many years of service make Jack the perfect candidate for this award.”

North was recognized and presented the award during the 2008 WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in Tampa Bay, Fla.
 
Past recipients of this award include Senator Birch Bayh, Betty Jaynes (WBCA), Hunter Low (Eastman Kodak), John LaBadd (Sears), Carol Stiff (ESPN), Robin Roberts (ABC News) and Val Ackerman (WNBA).

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For additional information about the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.