2004

• Wood inducted into Hall of Fame Former East Central Warriors are playing in the Comm-unity College tournament. women's basketball coach Wood, a Winston Lucille Wood was honored for From County native who h~r more than 5? years ~f s?r- .:.~;g:?t~ continu.es tt> serve vtce to commumty and JUniOr EC as mstructor of college athletics wilh her hea lth, physical educa tion induction into the 2004 and recreation and is National Junior College Chairperson o f the Social Athletic Association Women's Science, Business and Basketball Coaches' Hall of Ed ucation Division, was rec– Fame. ognized as a pioneer for She also served as hmnls and volleyball coac.h. "J suppose this would bl! the ultimate honor for a j){'r– son in junior college coach– ing," Wood said of her award. "Since I've been out of coaching for several years, to even be remembered is important." Several individuals nomi–

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nated Wood for the prestigious honor, mcluding EC alumni Van Chancel-lor, head coach of the WNBA Houston Comets. Wrote Chancellor: "As a physical education instructor at East Central Junior Co11ege, Coach Wood wore many hats to keep her club lcams al ive when there were no organLted teams on the state level for junior college player'>. "She was coach, fundrais– cr, lobbyis t, driver, eq u ip– ment manager, trainer and cheerleader. Coaches like her fa nned the spark to give women athletes the opportu~ nily to enjoy their own place in the athletic world from the recreationa l leagues to the professional leagues." When the State of Missic:;sippi discontinued women's basl...etball on the jun ior college level in 1954, Wood organized and coached 'club teams' for women from 1956-74 at East Central. Wood noted that players did not receive schol– a rships, wmpctcd m homl~­ rnadt~ uniiorms, bought theit ()\\'ll nwals and, for om: tour– iwntf~nt, evt~ll !tad to hornt\\ 't ll!gllllltinn hu:;kelb,lll! llll•>JC flido l'lnyu(l .k!'tllftl l Hilltpl}' hPI'fl l tl,l -· . . .

Induction ceremonies for women's sports on the state Wood and two other honorees and national levels. She led were held Monday in Salina, EC to four state titles Kan., home of the NJCAA (includes two club team Women's Division 1 National championships) and numer– Championship 111um.1m.'nt. Ou

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