Cynthia Lynn Cooper-Dyke, Prairie View A&M University head women’s basketball coach, was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 11th annual induction ceremony in Knoxville, Tenn.

Cooper is arguably the greatest women’s basketball player of all time and headed a class that also included Jennifer Azzi, Jennifer Gillom, Sonja Hogg, Jill Hutchison and Ora Washington.

The Cooper file speaks for itself. She was a two-time NCAA champion with USC in 1982-83 and 1983-84, followed up by a 1985-86 finals appearance where she was named to the All-Tournament team. Cooper then went on to play internationally, and won a gold medal in 1988 and bronze medal in 1992 representing the United States in the Olympics.

Cooper is most known for putting the WNBA on the map. She was a four-time champion with the Houston Comets and named regular season league MVP twice.

“I think that for Coach Cooper to receive this recognition in concert with the visible changes and impact she’s had on our program in a short period of time is outstanding,” said Athletic Director Fred Washington. “She’s taken our program to a competitive level and championship caliber winning 20 plus games two years in a row and we’re elated to have her as our head coach.”

Cooper-Dyke has made a significant mark in the coaching ranks leading the Panther’s women’s basketball team to unprecedented success as she took over a program four years ago that never had a winning season. In only her second year at the helm she guided the Lady Panthers to the SWAC regular season and post season championships and a trip to the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. The following season the Panthers won the conference regular season title again and earned a berth to the NIT. This past season, the Lady Panthers claimed the SWAC regular season and post season crowns and returned to the NCAA tournament for the second time in four years with Cooper-Dyke claiming two Conference Coach of the Year awards along the way.

“I’m really excited about Coach Cooper being inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and being a part of this program in the future,” added Alicia Pete, Assistant Athletic Director for Female Sports. “I’m sure her goals for the future are even higher than what she set when she came here as her energy and constant drive for success has set a new standard for Prairie View A&M women’s basketball.”

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