Greensboro, NC -- Coach Sylvia Hatchell and the fourth seeded UNCTar Heels play their first round ACC Tournament game Friday.If they win, it would be Hatchell's 906th win!
Being in the 900 club is a huge honor. She's one of few coaches in Division I history to reach 900 wins, among both men and women.
But Hatchell said her success is a tribute to the hard work and discipline of her players. "Discipline is something you do for a person, not to a person.It's fun to watch them grow, mature, develop and then graduate, which all my players have done."
In an exclusive interview with WFMY News 2 before the tournament, Hatchell said, "Sometimes I'll get kids and other people are like, 'why did you recruit them?' and then all of a sudden they are all ACC or have done a lot of great things."
Is that because she is a coach that turns their character around and in turn their play?
Hatchell responds with, "Well, I am big on character." Hatchell has a a thought for the day for her team, everyday. Sometimes it's a quote, but it always starts discussion. It's not all about basketball.
For example, last week, Hatchell says the discussion was about the difference between wisdom and knowledge. She says her time with them is about developing them as people. She says by the time she's through with them, they've learned life skills, relationships, dealing with people, work ethic, perserverance and knowing how to be a good winner and a good loser.
Not that losing is on her game plan! When asked if she can sit back and enjoy the 900+ wins, she laughed and said, "No, no, no. Every game is a challenge. It's an opportunity, but every game is a tremendous challenge and you know, I want to win a lot more championships!"
Hatchell's husband has made a career of coaching high school and college sports. When asked if she taunted him with being in the 900 club, "No, that's not me, I'm just very thankful to be there."
