Cougars Women's Basketball Celebrates 50 Years, Sports Pioneers

College of Charleston women’s sports began in 1974 because of one person: Joan Cronan.


When her husband landed a job at The Citadel in 1972, Cronan quit her job as basketball coach at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the family moved to Charleston. In 1974, after getting the family settled, she made a cold call to then-CofC President Ted Stern. Cronan, who had also coached basketball, volleyball and tennis in Louisiana at Opelousas High School and Northwestern State University, wanted to coach women’s athletics at the College.

“I walked into the meeting with the president and told him my dreams and visions for College of Charleston Athletics, and I walked out of that meeting with four new titles,” says Cronan, who became the women’s athletics director, women’s basketball coach, women’s tennis coach and women’s volleyball coach.
“I was excited, but I knew I was going to need some help.”

Around the same time, Nancy Wilson, who played college basketball at Coker College and was currently teaching in Charleston, reached out to CofC about coaching the women’s basketball team. The school was in the process of hiring Cronan and ultimately told Wilson no.


“I got off the phone and started crying,” Wilson says. “My roommate suggested I call Coach Cronan and ask about being her assistant. I did, and I was so glad I did.

“It was truly magical,” she adds. “I called this woman to volunteer as a coach, and she not only hires me; she goes on to become one of the best athletic directors in the country.” 

Then again, Cronan says, it was always about the team: “I loved working with Coach Wilson. There would be no Serena without Venus – we made a good team.” 

Cronan initially hired Wilson to be the head coach of the women’s volleyball team and assistant coach of women’s basketball. In 1976, with Cronan focusing more on her athletic director duties, Wilson went from assistant basketball coach to head coach at the age of 24 and would oversee an eight-year run unparalleled in women’s sports at the College, with an overall record of 193-64.



In 1990, Cronan was inducted in the CofC Athletics Hall of Fame. Not only did she lay the foundation for women’s athletics at CofC, but she did so with great success. In 1980, during her tenure, the American Women’s Sports Foundation awarded CofC the national distinction as the No. 1 women’s athletics program in the country.



“I’m proud to be a Cougar,“ Cronan says. “I look at Charleston Athletics as a child: It’s something that will always have a special place in my heart. I have fond memories of working at the College of Charleston, especially alongside Nancy. Nancy is more than just a coach; she’s a power, a great person and an incredible friend.“


In 1992, Wilson was inducted into the CofC Athletics Hall of Fame. She was named the Kellogg’s Small College Coach of the Year in 1977-78 and is the winningest basketball coach in school history with 311 total victories. She was also named South Carolina Coach of the Year on three occasions and shared National Coach of the Year honors in 1982.



“Being a Cougar means a lot to me,“ Wilson says. “Having incredible memories with Joan and everyone else I crossed paths with at College of Charleston is something I’ll remember and cherish forever.“


Cronan and Wilson paved the way for women’s athletics at CofC. They set the standard and laid the foundation for the future teams. On Jan. 25, 2026, the current women’s basketball team, along with other basketball alumni, honored the dynamic duo during the women’s basketball 50th anniversary game against North Carolina A&T.



In addition to meeting the coaches and current players, they got to witness the team earn a hard-fought 71-62 win over North Carolina A&T. Trailing by one with less than five minutes to play, the Cougars held the Aggies scoreless for the rest of the game and scored the last 10 points to win their ninth-straight game.

For Cronan and Wilson, it was gratifying to see the fruits of the legacy they established.