ATLANTA (Feb. 29, 2024) — UCLA head coach Cori Close is the recipient of the 2024 WBCA Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today.
The Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award is named in honor of the late Carol Eckman, the former West Chester State College coach, who is considered the “Mother of the Women’s Collegiate Basketball Championship.” Eckman organized and conducted the first women’s basketball championship in 1969 at West Chester State (now known as West Chester University). She continued to garner recognition and support for the women’s game until her death from cancer in 1985. The WBCA presents the award annually to an active member coach who exemplifies Eckman’s spirit, integrity and character through sportsmanship, commitment to the student-athlete, honesty, ethical behavior, courage and dedication to purpose.
“Cori Close is deeply respected by her peers for her integrity and the way she leads. She has a heart for service to the game, her peers, and all student-athletes. Her love for others has been evident throughout her playing and coaching career,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew.
“We were fortunate to have Cori as WBCA president during the gender equity challenges and opportunities that occurred during and following the 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship in San Antonio. She served on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee as well as a group that met weekly with the Kaplan Hecker and Fink law firm as it drafted its report to the NCAA. The WBCA, the NCAA, and the game are in a better place thanks to Cori’s talent, strength, intelligence, courage and service.”
Close was named The Michael Price Family UCLA Women’s Head Basketball Coach on April 21, 2011, and is currently 282-138 (.671) overall. She joins Billie Moore (296-181) and Kathy Olivier (232-208) as the only coaches in program history to eclipse the 200-win milestone. Close has led the Bruins to the NCAA tournament six of the last seven seasons after capturing the 2015 WNIT championship. She’s coached six Bruins who have been drafted to the WNBA, and she has proven a leader off the court in coaching the hearts of her student-athletes, as well as their jump shots.
“It means a lot because, first of all, I respect the leadership of the WBCA so much and Danielle Donehew, and it’s been a big impact on me,” said Close. “It means a lot because I’ve always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and the fact that maybe I can be doing a glimpse of that is humbling, and I’m really grateful.”
The Carol Eckman Award was first presented in 1985. To see a list of past recipients, visit WBCA.org.
About the WBCA
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
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