Born: 1952 (Gastonia, North Carolina)
Biography:
Sylvia Rhyne Hatchell was born on February 28, 1952, in Gastonia, North Carolina. She grew up in an athletic family, with her father being a quarterback and her mother a cheerleader. These early experiences instilled a love for sports within Hatchell, and she would go on to become a pioneering figure in women’s basketball.
Hatchell attended Carson–Newman College, where she excelled both on the basketball court and in the classroom. She graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. Determined to continue her education, Hatchell pursued a master’s degree at the University of Tennessee, which she completed the following year.
It was during her college years that Hatchell discovered her true passion: coaching. In 1974, she was asked to coach a junior high girls’ basketball team, and the experience ignited her desire to lead and mentor young athletes. This initial foray into coaching led Hatchell to become the junior varsity basketball coach at the University of Tennessee before accepting the head coaching position at Francis Marion College.
At Francis Marion, Hatchell made a significant impact, compiling an impressive record of 272 wins and 80 losses over eleven years. Her success and dedication caught the attention of the University of North Carolina, which hired her as their head coach in 1986.
Under Hatchell’s leadership, the Tar Heels quickly rose to national prominence, becoming one of the top women’s basketball teams in the country. Hatchell’s commitment to excellence and her ability to recruit and develop talented players propelled the team to new heights. The Tar Heels became a regular presence in the NCAA Tournament and consistently competed for championships.
The pinnacle of Hatchell’s career came in 1994 when she led the Tar Heels to their first national championship. In a thrilling championship game against Louisiana Tech, the Tar Heels trailed by two points with 0.7 seconds remaining on the clock. Sensing a historic victory slipping away, Hatchell drew up a play for the inbounds pass. Stephanie Lawrence inbounded the ball to Charlotte Smith, who promptly sank a 20-foot jump shot for three points, securing the national title at the buzzer.
Hatchell’s coaching prowess continued to shine throughout her career. In 2009, she became only the fourth coach in women’s basketball history to reach the 800-win milestone. This achievement came in a hard-fought overtime victory against in-state rival North Carolina State. Additionally, Hatchell reached the 700-win mark in January 2006, once again defeating North Carolina State.
Outside of her coaching accomplishments, Hatchell made significant contributions to the sport as a whole. She served as the head coach of the 1994 Jones Cup Team, leading them to a gold medal in Taipei. Hatchell’s ability to inspire and guide her players extended beyond the basketball court, earning her respect and admiration.
Unfortunately, Hatchell’s coaching career was marred by controversy in 2019. She, along with three assistants, was placed on administrative leave following accusations of racially insensitive remarks and pressuring injured players to compete. These allegations led to her resignation as the head coach of the University of North Carolina.
Awards:
– Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004
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