On September 11, the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame will host its second annual Speakers Luncheon, welcoming UNCW basketball coaches Takayo Siddle and Nicole Woods to the Pine Valley Country Club.
Coaches Prepare to Share Their Stories
Siddle, now in his seventh year at the helm of the Seahawks, has orchestrated five straight 20‑win campaigns, culminating in the 2025‑26 Coastal Athletic Association regular‑season championship and an automatic berth in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament.
His 133‑54 record reflects a turnaround that saw the program return to the NCAA Tournament after an eight‑year hiatus, a feat that earned him CAA Coach of the Year honors for the second time.
Woods, entering her fourth season with the women’s team, has lifted the squad to 14 victories in 2024‑25, nine more than the previous year, and guided them to the second round of the CAA Tournament for the first time since 2020‑21.
The roster reshaping includes standout recruits such as Jania Hall, the former CAA Sixth Player of the Year, and Ali Zelaya, who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The luncheon continues a series that began with ESPN analyst Debbie Antonelli’s talk on July 24, underscoring the region’s growing commitment to spotlighting basketball excellence.
Fans and community members alike look forward to hearing how these leaders plan to build on their momentum as the next season approaches.