West Chester alum Marian Washington is getting recognized for her legendary career in basketball. She’s one of the 12 finalists selected for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, reports University of Kansas Athletics.

This would not be her first time being inducted into a Hall of Fame.

She also holds a place in West Chester University’s State Athletic Hall of Fame. Washington spent 31 seasons at the University of Kansas as head coach of the Jayhawks.  

After her first season, Washington sprang into action and started the intercollegiate women’s track and field program in 1974. She then took her basketball expertise to play for the U.S. National Team from 1976 to 1971, including the 1971 World Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Washington has also made history as the first of two Black women to play on a U.S. National Team. By 1982 she made history as the first Black woman to coach a U.S. international team. Washington also played a role in the Olympics as the first to coach on a women’s basketball staff.  

In addition to her legendary career, Washington also earned many awards. She was honored as the Coach of the Year for the Jayhawks three times over, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Black Coaches Association in 2003. She was also named the association’s Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1996.  

Read more about this legendary sports coach on the website for University of Kansas Athletics.  

Marian Washington’s induction into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.