Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has announced Theresa Grentz of the University of Illinois as the winner of the Carol Eckman Award.

The Carol Eckman Award is presented annually to an active WBCA coach who exemplifies Eckman’s spirit, integrity and character through sportsmanship, commitment to the student-athlete, honesty, ethical behavior, courage and dedication to purpose.  The award is named in honor of the late Carol Eckman, the former West Chester State College coach who is considered the “Mother of the Women’s Collegiate Basketball Championship”.  Eckman organized the first women’s basketball championship at West Chester in 1969 and continued to garner recognition and support for the women’s game until her death from cancer in 1985.

“Theresa Grentz carries the essence of what the Carol Eckman Award truly embodies,” said CEO Beth Bass. “Theresa’s dedication to women’s basketball, her student-athletes and her contributions to our game both on and off the court prove her to be deserving of such an honor.” 

Grentz, now in her 33^rd year as a head coach and her 12^th season at Illinois, has served as a leader in women’s basketball since she first stepped onto the hardwood. Since first being hired as head coach, Grentz has helped to lead the Orange and Blue to the post-season nine times.  In only her second season, Grentz led the Fighting Illini to the program’s first-ever Big Ten title and first ever appearance in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.  Just a year later, Illinois returned to the Sweet Sixteen with a second place conference finish.

Grentz feels that community involvement is vital to building a successful program, and has made over 1,000 public appearances.  Grentz started a tradition called the “Grentz Gang”, where she seats kids eighth grade and younger under the Illinois basket and she talks with the kids prior to each home game.  She has also teamed with the men’s program to form one of the most successful Coaches vs. Cancer initiatives in the nation.

Vowing to “unite women’s basketball into one voice”, Theresa Grentz accepted the role as president of the WBCA in September of 1999.  Grentz presided over the largest convention in the organization’s history and appointed coaches from every conference of each division to make sure all college coaches in America were members of the organization. 

Aside from the collegiate realm, Grentz was named head coach of the U.S. Olympic team to a bronze medal in 1992.  Prior to leading the Olympic team, Grentz also directed the U.S. Dial Junior National Team and U.S. Maccabiah Team (1981), the U.S.A. Select Team (1985), U.S. World Games team (1989), U.S. World Championships team (1990) and the U.S. Goodwill team (1990). 

Grentz played for Hall of Fame coach Cathy Rush for the Macs of Immaculata College in the early 1970’s.  Grentz led the private Catholic institution to three AIAW National Championships, amassing more the 1,000 career points and three consecutive first team All-American nominations.  

Grentz will be formally recognized at the WBCA Awards Luncheon presented by State Farm and Jostens on Tuesday, April 3, at 12:00 p.m. (ET) in the Crowne Plaza’s Grand Ballroom. The WBCA Awards Luncheon presented by State Farm and Jostens is part of the WBCA National Convention held in conjunction with the 2007 NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Now in its 22^nd year, the Carol Eckman Award has recognized the following individuals in women’s basketball: Gail Goestenkors, Duke University (2006); Bonnie Henrickson, University of Kansas (2005); Deirdre Kane, West Chester University (2004); Marsha Sharp, Texas Tech University (2003); Barbara Stevens, Bentley College (2002); Juliene Simpson, East Stroudsburg University (2001); Kathy Delaney-Smith, Harvard University (2000); Susan Summons, Miami-Dade (Fla.) Community College (1999); Kay James, University of Southern Mississippi (1998); Amy Ruley, North Dakota State University (1997); Dr. Joann Rutherford, University of Missouri (1996); Ceal Barry, University of Colorado (1995); the late Sue Gunter, Louisiana State University (1994); C. Vivian Stringer, University of Iowa (1993); Dr. Jill Hutchison, Illinois State University (1992); Marian Washington, University of Kansas (1991); Maryalyce Jeremiah, Cal State Fullerton (1990); Linda Hill-MacDonald, University of Minnesota (1989); Kay Yow, North Carolina State University (1988); Jody Conradt, University of Texas (1987), and Laura Mapp, Bridgewater College (1986). 

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 in all of its aspects as a sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.