University of Georgia Athletics
Former Lady Bulldog, Bernadette Locke-Maddox Inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame
June 18, 2026 | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Former Lady Bulldog Bernadette Locke-Maddox to be inducted to the Class of 2026 NJCAA Hall of Fame, honoring her distinguished career on and off the court.
Locke-Maddox was a standout player at Roane State Community College before transferring to the University of Georgia. She arrived at the University of Georgia alongside legendary Lady Bulldog head coach Andy Landers and was an integral part of the 1980-81 WBIT National Championships team. Maddox became the first student-athlete in Georgia Athletics history to earn both All-America and Academic All-America honors.
The former Lady Bulldog would continue to make history throughout her career. In 1990, she became the first woman to serve as an assistant coach for an NCAA Division I men's basketball program when she joined the University of Kentucky men's staff under Rick Pitino. In 1995, she became the first African American woman to serve as a women's basketball head coach in the Southeastern Conference.
Following her time at Kentucky Locke-Maddox spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach with the WNBA's Connecticut Sun.
Locke-Maddox is set to be inducted into the class of 2026 NJCAA Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte, NC.
Locke-Maddox was a standout player at Roane State Community College before transferring to the University of Georgia. She arrived at the University of Georgia alongside legendary Lady Bulldog head coach Andy Landers and was an integral part of the 1980-81 WBIT National Championships team. Maddox became the first student-athlete in Georgia Athletics history to earn both All-America and Academic All-America honors.
The former Lady Bulldog would continue to make history throughout her career. In 1990, she became the first woman to serve as an assistant coach for an NCAA Division I men's basketball program when she joined the University of Kentucky men's staff under Rick Pitino. In 1995, she became the first African American woman to serve as a women's basketball head coach in the Southeastern Conference.
Following her time at Kentucky Locke-Maddox spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach with the WNBA's Connecticut Sun.
Locke-Maddox is set to be inducted into the class of 2026 NJCAA Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte, NC.
Wednesday, April 08
Tuesday, April 07
Tuesday, March 17
Monday, March 16