Marian E. Washington

Marian E. Washington

Class of 2004

  • Played collegiately at West Chester State University, helping lead her team to the first-ever national title for women's college basketball
  • Was a two-time AAU All-American
  • Was one of the first two African-American women to compete internationally, representing the United States at the 1971 World Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Served as the first and only Athletics Director for Women's Athletics at the University of Kansas (1974–79)
  • Posted a 560-363 record in 31 seasons as the women's basketball coach at the University of Kansas
  • Guided Kansas to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Sweet 16 twice, as well as two WNIT showings and three AIAW Sectional finishes, while reaching the 20-win plateau 17 times and claiming seven league titles and six conference tournament championships
  • Became the first African-American woman to coach a U.S. team in international competition, guiding the U.S. Select Team to a 7-1 record and a silver medal at the R. William Jones Cup in Taiwan (1982)
  • Was named conference Coach of the Year three times: Big Eight (1992, 1996) and Big 12 (1997)
  • Was tabbed Coach of the Year by the Black Coaches Association (1992, 1996)
  • Was the first female president of the Black Coaches Association and the first to serve consecutive terms
  • Received the Black Coaches Association's Lifetime Achievement Award (2003)
  • Served as an assistant coach for the USA's gold medal-winning Olympic team, becoming the first African-American to coach on a U.S. Olympic women's basketball staff (1996)

More From This Class