Kathy Shields (2003)

When it comes to women's basketball in Victoria and all of Canada, few names are more familiar than Kathy Shields. From player to coach, Kathy has done it all. Her 22-year coaching record with the University of Victoria women's basketball team is legendary and her record includes eight national titles, numerous Canada West championships and a pair of CIAU coach-of-the-year awards. Kathy was no stranger to the national university tournament when she guided the Vikettes to their first CIAU crown in 1980. She had already won a Canadian championship as a tough and gritty forward with the University of British Columbia in 1970 and two CIAU titles in 1974 and '75 while playing at Laurentian University in Sudbury. By the time she took over as head coach for the Canadian women's team in 1993, she had plenty of experience with the national program. She played on the Canadian team throughout her university career from 1970-75 and initially got involved as a coach in 1980 with the junior national program. Kathy coached Team Canada to a bronze medal at the World championship qualifier in 1993 and a seventh place finish at the Worlds in '94. In 2003 she was inducted into Basketball Canada Hall of Fame.