Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

"It is an honor to present the 2006 President's Award to Hunter Low," said Doug Bruno, WBCA President and DePaul head coach. "His contributions to the Kodak All-America Team, the WBCA and women's basketball as a whole are tremendous and we applaud his continual support."

Hunter Low, often termed as the "Father of the WBCA", has changed the world of women's basketball through his renowned efforts. Low's dreams of developing and contributing to the game became evident through the inception of the Kodak All-America Team, beginning in 1975, and the birth of the WBCA in 1981.

Low worked behind the scenes years before the Kodak All-America Team began in 1975. In the early 1970's, he began his involvement in women's basketball with coaching clinics sponsored by Kodak. He was responsible for arranging an international basketball game between the USA Olympic Team and the People's Republic of China Olympic Team in Rochester, N.Y., in 1975. Low also made arrangements for the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team to train in Rochester, N.Y., prior to the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal.

Low carried out his dream by managing the Kodak All-America program for 17 years (1975-1991). He also made numerous significant contributions to the growth and development of women's basketball as the Manager of U.S. Sports and Events Programs for the Eastman Kodak Company.

"There are many trailblazers who have contributed to the development of women's basketball and Hunter Low has remained on the forefront," WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "He has been tremendously instrumental in the growth of women's basketball as well as the WBCA, and is an outstanding candidate for this award."

Low was formally recognized at the Lessons from the Legends: Celebrating 25 Years reception on Monday, April 3 in the Hynes Convention Center Ballroom at 4:30 p.m. (ET). The luncheon was part of the 2006 WBCA National Convention held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in Boston, Mass. This year the WBCA celebrates its Silver Anniversary, marking 25 years of existence.

The past recipients of this award include Betty Jaynes (WBCA), John LaBadd (Sears), Carol Stiff (ESPN), Robin Roberts (ABC News) and Val Ackerman (WNBA).

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 an amateur sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.