Taylor Receives 2025 WBCA Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award
Feb 28, 2025 | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA – Texas A&M women's basketball Head Coach Joni Taylor was named the 2025 WBCA Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award recipient, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced Friday.
"I want to thank the WBCA for this incredible honor," Taylor said. "I am very appreciative to be associated with the Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award. To be nominated by my peers and selected is so special to me. In my opinion, Carol Eckman is the mother of our game, and she did so much to champion our sport into what it is today."
The Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award is named in honor of the late Carol Eckman, the former West Chester State College coach, who is considered the "Mother of the Women's Collegiate Basketball Championship." Eckman organized and conducted the first women's basketball championship in 1969 at West Chester State (now known as West Chester University).
Eckman continued to garner recognition and support for the women's game until her death from cancer in 1985. The WBCA presents the award annually to an active member coach who exemplifies Eckman's spirit, integrity and character through sportsmanship, commitment to the student-athlete, honesty, ethical behavior, courage and dedication to purpose.
"Joni Taylor continues to spread her wings and rise higher in the game with each passing season," WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew said. "She has earned the respect of her peers as a collegiate head coach, USA Basketball coach and member of the WBCA Board of Directors. Joni is talented and has a fantastic rapport with her players."
Taylor was nominated and voted on by other coaches in the WBCA. She was also named the 2016 Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year by the WBCA. To learn more about the Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award and its history, visit WBCA.org.
"This award is the ultimate blessing from Joni's peers as to the way in which she leads, serves and stewards the game," Donehew said "Joni's integrity, thoughtfulness and love for the game and all those within it, is exemplary; and her role as a leader in the WBCA continues to strengthen the coaching profession for years to come."
About the WBCA
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
Follow the Aggies
Visit for more information on Texas A&M women's basketball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M women's basketball team on Facebook, Instagram/Threads and X by following @AggieWBB.
"I want to thank the WBCA for this incredible honor," Taylor said. "I am very appreciative to be associated with the Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award. To be nominated by my peers and selected is so special to me. In my opinion, Carol Eckman is the mother of our game, and she did so much to champion our sport into what it is today."
The Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award is named in honor of the late Carol Eckman, the former West Chester State College coach, who is considered the "Mother of the Women's Collegiate Basketball Championship." Eckman organized and conducted the first women's basketball championship in 1969 at West Chester State (now known as West Chester University).
Eckman continued to garner recognition and support for the women's game until her death from cancer in 1985. The WBCA presents the award annually to an active member coach who exemplifies Eckman's spirit, integrity and character through sportsmanship, commitment to the student-athlete, honesty, ethical behavior, courage and dedication to purpose.
"Joni Taylor continues to spread her wings and rise higher in the game with each passing season," WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew said. "She has earned the respect of her peers as a collegiate head coach, USA Basketball coach and member of the WBCA Board of Directors. Joni is talented and has a fantastic rapport with her players."
Taylor was nominated and voted on by other coaches in the WBCA. She was also named the 2016 Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year by the WBCA. To learn more about the Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award and its history, visit WBCA.org.
"This award is the ultimate blessing from Joni's peers as to the way in which she leads, serves and stewards the game," Donehew said "Joni's integrity, thoughtfulness and love for the game and all those within it, is exemplary; and her role as a leader in the WBCA continues to strengthen the coaching profession for years to come."
About the WBCA
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
Follow the Aggies
Visit for more information on Texas A&M women's basketball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M women's basketball team on Facebook, Instagram/Threads and X by following @AggieWBB.
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