Carol Eckman

• Commonly referred to as the "Mother of National Collegiate Championships"
• Served as the head women's basketball coach at West Chester State College, compiling a 68-5 record (1967-1972)
• Established the first National Invitational Women's Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament, hosting a 16-team tourney at West Chester State College, which served as a catalyst in the formation of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) (1969)
• Guided West Chester to an undefeated season and the title of that first National Invitational Tournament (1969)
• Led West Chester to the national championship in each of the following three years (1970, 1971, 1972)
• Also coached one season at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1973)
• Coached four years at Lock Haven State College (1974-1977)
• Recipient of the AIAW Merit Award for Leadership (1982)
• The Women's Basketball Coaches Association established the Carol Eckman Award in her honor, given annually to the coach who best exemplifies her character (1986)