Former UNC women’s basketball head coach Jennifer Alley — who coached the Tar Heels from 1977-86 — was honored Monday by Women Leaders in College Sports as a 2020 Nike Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Alley was UNC’s first full-time women’s basketball coach, and led the Tar Heels to their first ACC Tournament title in 1984. She also directed the program to its first four NCAA Tournament appearances between 1983 and 1986.

She then went on to serve 13 years as the executive director for NACWAA, the precursor organization to Women Leaders in College Sports.

Alley arrived at UNC after having coached multiple sports at High Point. Throughout her career, she also coached volleyball, field hockey and tennis.

The ACC named Alley a women’s basketball legend in 2009, while Appalachian State honored her as its Distinguished Alumni of the Year for 2006.

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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