Jefferson women’s basketball coach Tom Shirley to be inducted into Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
Shirley has coached the Rams for 36 years and is one of the most-decorated coaches in women's college basketball. The 10-member Class of 2026 will be induced on Sept. 19.
Longtime Thomas Jefferson women’s basketball coach Tom Shirley received a welcome surprise before his team’s matchup with Caldwell on Saturday.
Shirley, who has coached the Rams for 36 years, was announced as one of 10 inductees into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. The class will be inducted on Sept. 19.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Pa. Sports Hall of Fame,” Shirley said. “I do realize there is group of individuals that have assisted me in receiving this recognition. Thank you to the players, alumni, coaches, staff, and Thomas Jefferson University, who have made this possible.”
The other inductees are: Mike Bantom (basketball), Larry Bowa (baseball), Brad Cashman (administration), Joe Crawford (official), Marc Jackson (basketball), Benjamin Johnson (track and field), Kelsey Kolojejchick (field hockey), Ted Lachowicz (football), Darrelle Revis (football), Chris Snee (football), Nancy Stevens (field hockey), and Willie Thrower (football).
Shirley has led the Rams to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, five Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championships, two Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference titles, and two New York Collegiate Athletic Conference titles.
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He has 922 victories, the most an for active Division II coach, and is considered one of the most decorated college women’s basketball coaches.
“This is a significant moment celebrating Coach Shirley’s contributions to basketball and sports in Pennsylvania,” said Hall of Fame president James Parrella.
Shirley has been named CACC Coach of the Year four times, including consecutive seasons in 2024 and 2025. He also was named the American Women’s Sports Federation Division II Coach of the Year and Converse District Coach of the Year in 1993.
Off the court, he was the school’s athletic director for 32 years. He stepped down from the role in August 2024.
His team had one of its best seasons in program history in 2023-24. The Rams set a program record with 23 straight wins, lost just once during the regular season, reached the Sweet 16 for a second straight year, and finished 32-2.
The Rams are 17-10 and 11-8 this season, after a 48-45 loss to Caldwell. They have one more regular-season game, Wednesday night at home against Chestnut Hill, before the conference tournament begins March 3.