Legendary women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has been awarded the renowned National Coach Foundation’s Gold Medal for her unrivaled achievements to the sport, leadership in women’s athletics, and long-term impact on generations of athletes. The former Baylor Bears head coach and current LSU coach is honored not only for her coaching accomplishments, but also for the inspiration and transformation she has given to women’s basketball around the country.
The Gold Medal is the National Coach Foundation’s highest distinction, bestowed upon persons who have made a significant and long-lasting contribution to sports in America. Mulkey’s selection recognizes her decades of influence, fierce competitive spirit, and commitment to encouraging female athletes on and off the court.
Kim Mulkey developed a great program at Baylor University from the bottom up over the course of 21 years. Under her leadership, the Baylor Bears won three national championships (2005, 2012, and 2019), making her the only person in NCAA history to win a Division I basketball title as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. Her legacy at Baylor includes three Big 12 championships, a winning culture, and national recognition for a program she helped develop into a regular contender. But her impact goes well beyond victories and medals.
Mulkey has been a leader for women in coaching, teaching numerous young women and raising the profile of women’s sports. Her burning passion, sincerity, and unwavering drive have inspired not just her athletes, but also prospective coaches all throughout the country. Her coaching tree is growing, as many of her former assistants and players have gone on to successful careers in coaching and athletic administration.
Mulkey acknowledged her thanks after obtaining the Gold Medal, saying, “This honor means more than basketball. It is about believing in young women, developing character, and demonstrating that achievement is achieved by hard effort and heart. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love, and I dedicate this honor to every player, coach, and colleague who has supported me.”
Mulkey is still making headlines at LSU, having recently led the Lady Tigers to a national championship, confirming her position as one of the sport’s finest minds. The Gold Medal is an appropriate tribute to a lady whose career has been marked by excellence, resilience, and a never-ending quest of greatness.