The ACC announced this morning its 2011 Women's Basketball Tournament Legends, a list of twelve players and coaches representing each of the conference's member schools. Representing Virginia is Nancy Mayer Bates (1984-87).
A two-time captain and four-year letterwinner for the Cavaliers from 1984-87, Nancy Mayer Bates was a Kodak District III All-America selection in 1986. She earned All-ACC honors four times during her Cavalier career and was named to the first team in 1984, 1985 and 1987.
Mayer Bates ranks 14th on Virginia's all-time scoring list (1,466), fifth on Virginia's all-time steals list (240) and seventh on UVa's all-time assists list (633). The 1987 ACC All-Tournament team selection also ranks eighth in school history with 633 field goals made.
Mayer Bates lived on The Lawn during her time at Virginia, one of the highest honors a student can receive. She was an ACC Honor Roll student during her career. As the youngest of eight children, Mayer Bates earned her undergraduate degree from Virginia in 1987 in Sports and Business Management. She and her late husband, Russell, have one son, Chad. Bates is currently an Assistant Principal at Douglas High School, located in Douglas, Mass.
The honorees will be recognized during the ACC Legends Luncheon on Friday, March 4, as well as on the court at halftime of the first semifinal game on Saturday, March 5. The ACC Women's Basketball Legends program honors past players and coaches from each of the ACC's 12 schools who have contributed to the league's rich tradition.
Mayer Bates joins Wendy Palmer-Daniels, Cathy Grimes-Miller, Dena Evans, Heather Burge Quella, Val Ackerman and Jenny Boucek as Virginia's ACC Legends.