Former Terp Coach Chris Weller to be Inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
7/25/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 25, 2009
UNCASVILLE, Conn. - The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF) announced on Saturday that former University of Maryland head coach Chris Weller will be a part of the six-member Class of 2010. The announcement was made live on ABC as part of the network's WNBA All-Star Game coverage.
Weller will become the second Terrapin to be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, which was founded in 1999. She owns a career record of 499-286 (.636), the most wins in Maryland history, in her 27 years on the bench in College Park. The 1966 Maryland graduate guided the Terps to a national title game appearance and three total Final Four berths.
Former Terrapin player Tara Heiss was inducted into the Hall in 2003.
"Terrapin Nation is proud of the accomplishments of Coach Weller throughout her excellent career leading our women's basketball program," Maryland's Director of Athletics Debbie Yow said. "She is very deserving of this special recognition."
Weller became just the fifth Division I coach to earn at least 400 victories at one school. Her Terrapins were ranked in all or part of 18 of her 27 seasons, including nine top-10 rankings in the season's final Associated Press Poll. The 1992 Naismith National Coach of the Year and two-time Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year guided Maryland to eight ACC titles and 19 postseason appearances.
The Class of 2010 includes three former players (Teresa Edwards, Rebecca Lobo, Teresa Weatherspoon), two former coaches (Weller and Leta Andrews) and one contributor (Gloria Ray). The 2010 Induction will mark the 12th year of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, which held its grand opening and inaugural induction in 1999. When the Class of 2010 is officially inducted in Knoxville, Tenn., on June 12, the list of individuals who have been recognized as Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductees will increase to 115.
"I know I speak on behalf of the entire Board of Directors when I say how proud we are, once again, of next year's class," said Jack North, President of the WBHOF Board of Directors. "These soon to be inductees represent a broad spectrum of the women's game, consistent with the Hall's objective to `honor the past, celebrate the present and promote the future.' We look forward to their formal induction in June of 2010."
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Board of Directors serves as the selection committee in determining which individuals will be inducted each year. Voting is based on various factors, which may include moral character, integrity, sportsmanship, record of performance, ability, national or international recognition and contributions to the game of women's basketball.
In order to be considered for selection for induction, an individual must meet the following prerequisites:
The Class of 2010 will be officially introduced during the 2009 State Farm Tip-Off Classic.
