The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame proudly celebrates Barbara Stevens (Class of 2006) and Lorene Ramsey (Class of 2000) as the recipients of the prestigious WeCOACH Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor is awarded to women in the sports industry whose leadership and achievements have fundamentally changed the trajectory of women’s sports.
Barbara Stevens’ coaching career is the epitome of greatness, reinforcing how consistency and unwavering commitment are essential for building a memorable legacy. During her 43-season career at Bentley University, Stevens amassed an impressive 1,058-291 record, becoming the only non-Division I coach to join the elite 1,000 wins club. From 1986 to 2020, she led the Bentley Falcons to multiple DII Final Fours, bringing the program their first National Championship title in 2014 after an unforgettable 35-0 season.
As the winningest coach in Division II history, Stevens is a five-time WBCA Division II National Coach of the Year and a 16-time Northeast 10 Coach of the Year. Excellence has always been Stevens’ standard, and her influence on the game continues to reflect that.
Lorene Ramsey is a true pioneer of women’s basketball, creating opportunities for female athletes before Title IX. In an era defined by limited resources and various societal barriers, she redefined the Illinois Central College women’s athletic program. She began her career as a softball coach, leading the team to an 840-309 record and two NJCAA National Championships. She then transitioned to the women’s basketball program where she compiled an 887-197 record, winning five national titles.
Ramsey’s decorated resume earned her an induction into fourteen Halls of Fame and numerous National Coach of the Year accolades. Ramsey’s dedication and vision for women’s athletics helped advance gender equity in college sports for the next generation.
The Hall of Fame is thrilled to celebrate Stevens’ and Ramsey’s careers being recognized with the WeCOACH Lifetime Achievement Award.
About the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Founded in 1999, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF), located in Knoxville, Tennessee, honors the greatest players, coaches, contributors, and officials in women’s basketball history. The WBHOF is the only facility of its kind, recognizing excellence at all levels of the sport, from high school and collegiate competition to professional and international play. The Hall is home to more than 200 inductees and works to preserve the legacy of women’s basketball through its museum, educational programming, special events, and annual induction ceremony.
Contact
Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager
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