Nan Nichols, legendary administrator and coach at The College of Wooster, will add another honor to her extensive list of recognitions, and this one may be the most significant, as she's been one of four chosen to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators at the organization's convention this October, the NACWAA announced Wednesday.
"As a dedicated teacher, coach, and administrator, Nan impacted the lives of generations of women athletes both at Wooster and across the nation, providing them an opportunity to play varsity sports that she never had," stated Brenda Meese, Wooster's assistant director of athletics, physical education, and recreation, in an NACWAA press release. "Her quiet, dignified manner mentored a number of young women into the profession and set a high standard for those who have followed."
A member of the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame and the "W" Association Hall of Fame, Nichols is well known as one of the early leaders of the women's sports movement. She retired from Wooster in 1995 after a 32-year career as a coach and athletic director. In basketball, Nichols guided 22 teams to a still-standing school record of 186 wins (186-131), a share of the inaugural North Coast Athletic Conference championship (1985), and two berths into the NCAA Div. III Tournament (1983, 1985).
As impressive as her coaching accolades are, which also includes a 53-8 dual-meet record as women's swimming coach the first seven years of the program's history (1973-79), Nichols is renowned for her work as an advocate for equality for women's athletics. She helped build a broad-based varsity women's athletic program at Wooster, developing six women's teams in less than a decade that served as a successful model for colleges and universities across the nation.
Nichols, along with Louise O'Neal, Judy Sweet, and Chris Voelz, will be officially honored at the Nike Lifetime Achievement Luncheon to be held Monday, Oct. 10, at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh.
The NACWAA's Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Nike, is bestowed annually to administrators and professionals who have dedicated their professional careers to advancing women in sport. Because of their tireless efforts, girls and women participating in sport can enjoy competitive athletics and/or athletic career opportunities. This award is given to individuals who have rendered meritorious service and have retired from or are no longer directly involved in the profession.