Marian E. Washington
- Posted a 560-363 ledger 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
- Served as an assistant coach for the USA’s gold medal-winning Olympic team in 1996, becoming the first African-American to coach on a U.S. Olympic women’s basketball staff
- Became the first African-American woman to coach a U.S. team in international competition when she guided the U.S. Select Team to a 7-1 record and a silver medal at the R. William Jones Cup in Taiwan in 1982
- Named conference coach of the year three times, receiving Big Eight Coach of the Year recognition in 1992 and 1996 and Big 12 Coach of the Year honors in 1997
- Received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Black Coaches Association in 2003 as well as being tabbed as Coach of the Year by the BCA in both 1992 and 1996
- Was the first female to serve as president of the Black Coaches Association as well as the first individual to serve consecutive terms as president of the organization
- Played collegiately at West Chester State University, helping lead her team to the first-ever national title for women’s college basketball
- Was also a two-time AAU All-American
- Was the first of 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)