The coach of the three-time champion Immaculata University women's basketball team was also nominated in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005. It shouldn't have taken that long to recognize her accomplishments.

Under her guidance, the Mighty Macs won three Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women championships from 1972 to 1974.

The graduate of Oakcrest High School and West Chester University compiled a record of 149-15 in her seven seasons at Immaculata. Six times the Chester County school made the AIAW Final Four while she was coach.

Back then, the Mighty Macs did everything on a shoestring budget. They had just one uniform, a blue tunic, so if the other team wore blue, "We asked them to wear white because we only had one color," said Rush.

Her fellow inductees will include some big names in pro basketball, including former NBA players Adrian Dantley, Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon; coach Pat Riley; Detroit Pistons owner William Davidson; and ESPN announcer Dick Vitale.

But the Hall of Fame also needs to recognize some of the great players who were on Rush's old teams. She says she had thought Theresa Grentz or Marianne Stanley might have preceded her. Perhaps now that the coach has gotten her due, they're next.