Theresa Shank Grentz is one of Chester County’s greatest women’s basketball players. While an undergraduate at Immaculata College she led the Mighty Macs to an unprecedented three consecutive AIAW national championships, and the first undefeated season, including post-season play, by a college team (1973). Following her graduation (1974) she joined the coaching ranks and became a highly successful women’s basketball coach. A native of Glenolden, PA she was a star player at Cardinal O’Hara High School, and led her team to three consecutive Catholic and City League titles. She had an academic scholarship to attend Mount St. Mary’s (Maryland) to further her education, but after a fire destroyed her parents’ home she decided to stay in the area and enroll at Immaculata. It was a decision that led to national basketball notoriety for herself, her teammates, and her alma mater. The 5’ 11” center was the heart and soul of Hall of Fame coach Cathy Rush’s team at Immaculata. Along the way to scoring 1000+ points during her collegiate career, she led her team in scoring, hustle, and intensity. According to Rush, Grentz “carried everyone on her shoulders to the national championships…(and) was the best player in the country during that era.” As a player Grentz was a first team All-American for three consecutive years, and was named the 1974 AMF Collegiate Player of the Year. She starred in the first televised women’s basketball game when Immaculata defeated Mississippi State College for Women to win their third national championship (1974). She was also a member of the first USA women’s basketball to compete in the World Games (1973), losing to the Russian National Team in the finals. Grentz has received many honors for her playing career beginning with having her jersey (#12) retired by Immaculata (1974). She was inducted into the Cardinal O’Hara Hall of Fame (1994), and in 1999 was named the Delaware County Female Athlete of the Millennium. She has also received numerous honors for her coaching including membership in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2001), and serving as head coach for the USA Olympic Women’s Basketball team (1992). She currently directs Grentz Elite Coaching based in West Chester, PA, and lives with her husband Karl Grentz.