Chad Lavin - Inducted 2024

Chad Lavin is one of the earliest South Dakotans to coach women’s basketball at the NCAA Division I level. He revitalized the University of Wyoming program, leading the Cowgirls to a 175-162 record from 1986-98, significantly improving from their 23-60 record in the three years prior. Lavin guided the Cowgirls to their only regular-season conference title and a national tournament appearance.

Lavin also influenced girls’ basketball in Wyoming through coaching clinics and camps. He had two coaching stints at USD, recording 273 wins. From 1982-86, he led USD to an 82-32 record with three North Central Conference (NCC) titles; from 1998-2008, he achieved a 191-107 record with two NCC titles. In his final season in 2007-08, USD was 33-2, losing in the NCAA Division II national finals. In 2012, he was lured out of retirement by Colorado State head coach Ryun Williams, serving as an assistant coach for three years and then as the director of women’s basketball administration for six more seasons through 2021.

Lavin was named NCAA Central Regional Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2008 and NCAA DII National Coach of the Year in 2007-08. He earned four NCC Coach of the Year titles and led USD to seven national DII tournament appearances. He was also named SD Sportswriters College Women’s Coach of the Year twice. Lavin graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1974 and USD in 1978. He also coached Dell Rapids High School boys’ basketball and served as men’s assistant at Mount Marty. Lavin is a member of the Wyoming and USD Halls of Fame.