Theresa Grentz

Class of 2001

  • A 27-year coaching veteran with stints at St. Joseph’s (two years), Rutgers (19 years), and Illinois (six years)
  • Began her coaching career following a distinguished playing career at Immaculata College, where she was a member of the Mighty Macs’ three AIAW national championship squads (1972, 1973, 1974)
  • Was hired as the first full-time women’s basketball coach in the nation when she took the reins at Rutgers in 1975
  • Led Rutgers to an AIAW title in 1982, marking the final championship in the AIAW’s existence
  • Ranks as the seventh winningest active coach in women’s collegiate basketball with an overall record of 577-227
  • Has a wealth of international coaching experience, including serving as the head coach of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team, which earned a bronze medal in Barcelona
  • Has also helped USA teams collect medals as coach of the 1990 Goodwill Games and World Championships (gold), 1985 Jones Cup (gold) and 1981 Maccabiah Games (silver)
  • Has been recognized as conference coach of the year four times by the Atlantic 10 while she was at Rutgers and twice by the Big Ten during her tenure at Illinois
  • Has served as president of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)