by Shawn Nowlin
Before the turn of the century, only five Black women had ever served as head basketball coaches in the Power Five Conference of the NCAA. They include Edwina Qualls (Wisconsin, 1976-1986), Marianna Freeman (Syracuse, 1993-2003), Bernadetta Mattox (Kentucky, 1995-2003), C. Vivian Stringer (Rutgers, 1995-2022) and Carolyn Peck (Purdue, 1997-1999).
Also on that list is Charlene Curtis, a Roanoke native who guided Wake Forest to seven competitive seasons, starting in 1997.
Talk about being a barrier breaker. In addition to being the first Black woman to head an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) program, Curtis was also the first Black woman to serve as head women’s basketball coach at Temple University.
When Curtis retired in 2004, she had won 229 games across 17 seasons.
A highly accomplished athlete herself, Curtis became the first Highlander to surpass 1,000 career points at Radford University.
Long before Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky was grabbing rebounds in traffic and scoring in the post, Curtis was doing the same in the mid-1970s. Her alma mater hired her as its head women’s coach in 1984, a position she held for six years.
Curtis retired as ACC supervisor of women’s basketball officials in April of 2019.
A few months ago, the NCAA posthumously honored Curtis with the Gerald R. Ford Award. Only those who provide significant leadership as advocates for intercollegiate athletics throughout their career receive the prestigious honor.
Many of Curtis’ former players and colleagues have publicly shared why the William Fleming graduate is more than deserving of the recognition.
Said Stephanie Howard, who played for Curtis at Radford, “For Coach, it
was important that if you better your circumstances, then you can reach back and help someone else better theirs as well.”
Explained LaChina Robinson, who played for Curtis at Wake Forest, “Much like when she entered into coaching, there still aren’t very many women of color in this field. Coach Curtis went out of her way to make me feel welcome, to help me to feel more prepared more than anything, to make me feel seen, and remind me that I was talented enough to be successful.”
“Charlene was a pioneer in the sport of women’s basketball, but more importantly, she was an amazing individual. Her kindness and class resonated throughout her life,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips.
Curtis was inducted into the Radford University Hall of Fame and Big South Hall of Fame in 1995 and 2005, respectively. Her track record on the hardwood and impact in the community more than justifies both honors.
Anytime that Curtis reached a milestone, many in Roanoke were the first ones to send congratulations. It’s rare to come across individuals who go above and beyond without expecting anything in return. Those who knew Curtis best say she was that kind of human being.
The icon was 67 when she died of cancer in August 2022.
