University of Tennessee Athletics
Pavon to be Inducted into WGCA Coaches Hall of Fame
October 13, 2023 | General, Women's Golf
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -- Judi Pavon, former Tennessee women's golf head coach for over two decades, will be inducted into the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Hall of Fame in December 2023, the WGCA announced Friday.
Pavon was named interim head coach in the spring of 2000; over the next 21 seasons, the Lady Vols never failed to qualify for postseason play. The 2006 SEC Coach of the Year holds the program record for head-to-head wins (2,212) and tournament titles (21).
"I cannot be more excited for Judi's induction," said head coach Diana Cantu, who played under Pavon at UT from 2006-10. During that time, the Lady Vols competed in three NCAA Championships, and Cantu received All-SEC and All-NCAA East Region honors. "To see my coach, mentor, friend and supporter be recognized in ths way is heartwarming. Judi's career is among the best in women's golf, and this honor is well deserved."
Under Pavon, Lady Vols received All-American honors 25 times and garnered 41 All-SEC selections. Their success on the course was matched in the classroom, with 51 WGCA Academic All-American honorees in her 21 seasons at the helm.
A native of Helena, Montana, Pavon was a First-Team All-SEC selection in 1989 at University of Alabama. She served as the President of the WGCA and was named the recipient of the Gladys Palmer Meritorious Service Award in 2020 for her years of service and involvement in women's golf.
"Playing under Judi Pavon was such a great opportunity," said former Lady Vol golfer and assistant coach Anna Newell, who set an NCAA 54-hole record for total strokes (198) in 2015 and was named to the All-America First Team in 2016. "Some of my best memories come from those years and it wouldn't have been the same without Judi. She has earned this honor and I am truly excited for her."
Pavon becomes the 55th member of the WGCA Coaches Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on December 4, 2023, at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
ABOUT WGCA
The Women's Golf Coaches Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women's collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the WGCA represents over 700 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.
Pavon was named interim head coach in the spring of 2000; over the next 21 seasons, the Lady Vols never failed to qualify for postseason play. The 2006 SEC Coach of the Year holds the program record for head-to-head wins (2,212) and tournament titles (21).
"I cannot be more excited for Judi's induction," said head coach Diana Cantu, who played under Pavon at UT from 2006-10. During that time, the Lady Vols competed in three NCAA Championships, and Cantu received All-SEC and All-NCAA East Region honors. "To see my coach, mentor, friend and supporter be recognized in ths way is heartwarming. Judi's career is among the best in women's golf, and this honor is well deserved."
Under Pavon, Lady Vols received All-American honors 25 times and garnered 41 All-SEC selections. Their success on the course was matched in the classroom, with 51 WGCA Academic All-American honorees in her 21 seasons at the helm.
A native of Helena, Montana, Pavon was a First-Team All-SEC selection in 1989 at University of Alabama. She served as the President of the WGCA and was named the recipient of the Gladys Palmer Meritorious Service Award in 2020 for her years of service and involvement in women's golf.
"Playing under Judi Pavon was such a great opportunity," said former Lady Vol golfer and assistant coach Anna Newell, who set an NCAA 54-hole record for total strokes (198) in 2015 and was named to the All-America First Team in 2016. "Some of my best memories come from those years and it wouldn't have been the same without Judi. She has earned this honor and I am truly excited for her."
Pavon becomes the 55th member of the WGCA Coaches Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on December 4, 2023, at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
ABOUT WGCA
The Women's Golf Coaches Association, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women's collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the WGCA represents over 700 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.
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