ATLANTA – The WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) today announced that Villanova head women's basketball coach Harry Perretta has won the 2020 Carol Eckman Integrity In Coaching Award. Perretta will receive the award at a banquet during Final Four weekend in New Orleans.
 
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 the first women's basketball championship in 1969 at West Chester. She 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.
 
"The name of the late Carol Eckman is synonymous with the positive values the WBCA membership strives to uphold each day. I can think of no one more deserving of receiving the award named in her honor than Harry Perretta," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle M. Donehew.  "Harry is a talented teacher and brilliant strategist.  He is deeply respected for his ethical leadership and steadfast management of his program. While Harry is one of the winningest and longest tenured coaches in the game, his most powerful legacy is the success of his student-athletes as leaders in every segment of our society. Harry has also been a great supporter of his peers, always willing to teach and share strategies with his fellow coaches. Day in and day out, Harry has given his best. The WBCA community of coaches and our game celebrates Harry's meaningful career."
 
Earlier this year, Perretta announced that he will retire following the 2019-20 season after an illustrious 42-year Wildcat career.
 
During his Villanova tenure, Perretta has led the Wildcats to twenty, 20-win seasons, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, 11 WNIT berths, five BIG EAST championships, 18 Philadelphia Big 5 titles, a berth in the 2003 Elite Eight and a trip to the 1982 AIAW Final Four. In addition, he has mentored 77 All-BIG EAST performers, including 17 first team honorees and four BIG EAST Players of the Year.
 
He currently has a career record of 781-487 and the 781 wins ranks seventh on the winningest active Division I collegiate coaching list and 13th all-time in NCAA Division I women's basketball.
 
The 42 seasons as the Wildcat head coach tie him with Yvonne Kaufmann of Elizabethtown College (1971-2012) for the most seasons at one school at all divisions in the history of NCAA women's college basketball.
 
Villanova is currently 16-11 overall and 10-6 in BIG EAST Conference play.