Bentley’s Stevens makes the grade

“The incredible emotions that I felt after receiving the call from the Hall of Fame on Friday afternoon, I can’t even put into words.” BARBARA STEVENS

Bentley University women's basketball coach Barbara Stevens has enjoyed a long, successful career filled with accolades and milestones.

One memorable milestone came on Jan. 25, 2014, when Stevens notched her 900th career victory with a 98-82 win over St. Anselm at the Dana Center in Waltham. After the game, a phalanx of reporters and camera crews surrounded Stevens courtside for a comment.

"Where do you go from here?" a reporter asked Stevens.

"901" was her reply — an accurate summation her low-key coaching style.

Stevens has since eclipsed the millennial milestone for career wins and Friday she was bestowed the ultimate accolade: a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies are scheduled to be held in Springfield on Aug. 28-30.

"The incredible emotions that I felt after receiving the call from the Hall of Fame on Friday afternoon, I can't even put into words," said Stevens, who just completed her 34th season at Bentley and 43rd as a college coach. She also coached six seasons at Clark University in Worcester and three at UMass.

Big numbers

With a career record of 1,058-291 overall (901-200 at Bentley), Stevens is the fourth-winningest coach in NCAA history. She currently trails Pat Summitt, Tara VanDerveer and Geno Auriemma, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame.

Stevens is a five-time WBCA Division II National Coach of the Year, has overseen 12 seasons with 30 or more wins and 30 with over 20 wins.

She has a staggering .818 winning percentage that includes 31 NCAA tournament berths, 14 regional titles and 10 appearances in the Final Four. She won the national championship in 2014 with a remarkable 35-0 run.

"Pages could be written about Barbara's accomplishments," said Bentley AD Bob DeFelice. "But simply stated, it's a great award for a great person."

Stevens was elected to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

CHRISTOPHER EVANS/THE BOSTON HERALD/AP PHOTO In this Jan. 17, 2018 file photo, Bentley coach Barbara Stevens, center, is congratulated during a team photo after winning her 1000th career game after beating Adelphi in Waltham, Mass.