Breaking Barriers and Building Legacies: Joan Cronan and Nancy Wilson
1/21/2026 10:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston women's sports began in 1974 behind the influence of one person: Joan Cronan.
In 1974, Cronan walked into College of Charleston President Ted Stern's office with a mission to build women's athletics at CofC. After the meeting, Cronan had four new titles: Women's Athletic Director, Women's Basketball Coach, Women's Tennis Coach and Women's Volleyball Coach.
"I've always had a passion for equality in sports," Cronan said. "I saw Charleston had some women's club teams, but there wasn't anything more than that. 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. I was excited, but I knew I was going to need some help."
During that same timeframe, Nancy Wilson, who played college basketball at Coker College and was currently teaching in Charleston, reached out to CofC to inquire 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," said Wilson. "My roommate suggested I call Coach Cronan and ask about being her assistant. I did, and I was so glad I did."
After the phone call between the two, Cronan immediately hired Wilson to be the head coach of the women's volleyball team and an assistant coach on her women's basketball staff. 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 College of Charleston, but she did so with great success. During her tenure, CofC received national attention and was selected as the No. 1 women's athletics program in the country in 1980 by the American Women's Sports Foundation.
"I'm proud to be a Cougar," Cronan said. "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 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. Wilson 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. Additionally, she was named South Carolina Coach of the Year on three occasions, while sharing National Coach of the Year honors in 1982.
"Being a Cougar means a lot to me," Wilson said. "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 Sunday, January 25, the 2025-26 College of Charleston women's basketball team will host Joan Cronan, Nancy Wilson and plenty of other women's basketball alumni during the women's basketball 50th anniversary game against North Carolina A&T.
"I'm excited to sit back, enjoy the weekend and watch great basketball," said Cronan. "I've been following the success of the team this year, and I can't wait to meet the coaches and current players!"
"I'm really excited to come watch the Cougars play this weekend," said Wilson. "I've been following along and checking the scores, and I can't wait to see them play in person. I'm also looking forward to reconnecting with former Cougars!"
Together, Joan Cronan and Nancy Wilson did more than coach games - they built a legacy, set the standard and opened doors for female athletes at College of Charleston.
As a part of the Charleston women's basketball varsity program's 50th anniversary celebration, more feature stories on past Cougar greats and influential players will be shared on the College of Charleston official athletics website at cofcsports.com.
The 2025-26 Charleston women's basketball team will play at UNCW in Wilmington, N.C. on Friday, January 23 before hosting the 50th anniversary game against North Carolina A&T on Sunday.
For complete coverage of Charleston women's basketball, follow us on X (@CofCWBB) and Instagram (@CofCWBB).
In 1974, Cronan walked into College of Charleston President Ted Stern's office with a mission to build women's athletics at CofC. After the meeting, Cronan had four new titles: Women's Athletic Director, Women's Basketball Coach, Women's Tennis Coach and Women's Volleyball Coach.
"I've always had a passion for equality in sports," Cronan said. "I saw Charleston had some women's club teams, but there wasn't anything more than that. 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. I was excited, but I knew I was going to need some help."
During that same timeframe, Nancy Wilson, who played college basketball at Coker College and was currently teaching in Charleston, reached out to CofC to inquire 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," said Wilson. "My roommate suggested I call Coach Cronan and ask about being her assistant. I did, and I was so glad I did."
After the phone call between the two, Cronan immediately hired Wilson to be the head coach of the women's volleyball team and an assistant coach on her women's basketball staff. 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 College of Charleston, but she did so with great success. During her tenure, CofC received national attention and was selected as the No. 1 women's athletics program in the country in 1980 by the American Women's Sports Foundation.
"I'm proud to be a Cougar," Cronan said. "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 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. Wilson 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. Additionally, she was named South Carolina Coach of the Year on three occasions, while sharing National Coach of the Year honors in 1982.
"Being a Cougar means a lot to me," Wilson said. "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 Sunday, January 25, the 2025-26 College of Charleston women's basketball team will host Joan Cronan, Nancy Wilson and plenty of other women's basketball alumni during the women's basketball 50th anniversary game against North Carolina A&T.
"I'm excited to sit back, enjoy the weekend and watch great basketball," said Cronan. "I've been following the success of the team this year, and I can't wait to meet the coaches and current players!"
"I'm really excited to come watch the Cougars play this weekend," said Wilson. "I've been following along and checking the scores, and I can't wait to see them play in person. I'm also looking forward to reconnecting with former Cougars!"
Together, Joan Cronan and Nancy Wilson did more than coach games - they built a legacy, set the standard and opened doors for female athletes at College of Charleston.
As a part of the Charleston women's basketball varsity program's 50th anniversary celebration, more feature stories on past Cougar greats and influential players will be shared on the College of Charleston official athletics website at cofcsports.com.
The 2025-26 Charleston women's basketball team will play at UNCW in Wilmington, N.C. on Friday, January 23 before hosting the 50th anniversary game against North Carolina A&T on Sunday.
For complete coverage of Charleston women's basketball, follow us on X (@CofCWBB) and Instagram (@CofCWBB).
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