A career clocking in excess of 1,000 wins, Olympic gold and over three decades at the helm of Tar Heel women’s basketball. Syliva Hatchell is a living legend, a fearless leader and an all-around remarkable woman
“Basketball has been my life. Along with my family and my faith, coaching is what I do,” said Hatchell, speaking with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina about her experience. “I’ve been at it for over 40 years — with most of my career as Head Coach of UNC Chapel Hill Women’s Basketball. Coaching is who I am.”
Hatchell is the first — and only — coach to take teams all the way to national champion status in the AIAW, NAIA and NCAA levels. She is one of the most decorated coaches in women’s basketball history, and in basketball history in general. She is also a cancer survivor.
“I hadn’t been feeling right. And then, I got the call, from the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center. I had acute myeloid leukemia. The doctors told me that it was treatable and curable, but that I needed to stop coaching and start chemo immediately,” said Hatchell. “I thought I had perspective. I thought I handled pressure well, thought I had my priorities in order. But you don’t realize how much something is part of you, how much you love it and have a passion for it, until it’s taken away from you.”
Coach Sylvia Hatchell. Photo via Smith Hardy.
After being diagnosed with leukemia just weeks after her induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013, Hatchell began chemotherapy and treatment as her Tar Heel team fought their way through the NCAA tournament, rising through the “Elite 8″ before taking a devastating loss to Stanford. In 2014, Hatchell completed treatment and returned to bench for a thundering 26-9 return season.
“In my fight to live, I had four rounds of chemotherapy, and I missed the entire 2013-14 season,” said Hatchell. In May of 2014, my doctors pronounced me cancer-free. On November 5, 2014, I coached my first game in over a year — and it was a win for the Tar Heels. I tell you, I felt great. Like a kid on the first day of school.”
Hatchell now frequently takes on speaking engagements and more, finding ways to support others in their fight against cancer. She works to apply lessons learned on the hardwood to a life that is often a great deal more complicated and harrowing than any basketball game could ever be.
“There are times when you’ve just got to make a decision,” said Hatchell. “Am I going to be strong through this, because that’s all I have right now? When my hair started falling out, I could’ve sat there and cried, but we had a party. I had my hairdresser came over and shave it off. I got a Mohawk, then a rat’s tail. The doctors painted ‘Go Heels’ on the back of my bald head.”
Through her success on and off the basketball court, as well as the trials and tribulations of battling leukemia, Sylvia Hatchell is one of the most inspiring people to point to if you’re looking for someone who lives up to the word “fearless.” She’s faced great adversity, and pushed through to the other side — coming out stronger and more focused than ever before.
“So many times, we get so much junk in the way. Distractions and things, and trust me: Cancer filters all of that out. You see much more clearly what really makes a difference.”
E.E. Cummings said, “The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.” Join Reagan Greene Pruitt, of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, on a journey of fearlessness every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on 97.9 The Hill as she tells inspiring true stories of people — right here in North Carolina — that are Living Fearless. Local people who are leaping into new ventures, facing challenges with bravery and striving to be greater. There are many ways to Live Fearless, and Blue Cross Blue Shield celebrates North Carolinians who live this philosophy. Be confident. Be fearless!
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