“You’ve opened countless doors for countless women, not only here but all over the country,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said during a proclamation ceremony in the Capitol.

Sebelius said Washington’s accomplishments had been felt nationwide and called her a “breaker of glass ceilings and a breaker of glass backboards.”

Washington, who resigned Feb. 27 for unspecified health reasons, thanked KU for giving her the opportunity to coach for 31 years.

“You want to win some games, you want to change some programs, but I think my primary purpose has been to try to help build some lives,” Washington said. “Most of all, I thank you for your love.”

Lawrence legislators, interim coach Lynette Woodard and others attended the ceremony in Sebelius’ office to cheer Washington, who will be inducted into the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame this summer.

Washington, 57, was instrumental in building the KU women’s program as federal laws were established requiring gender equity in college sports.

When she started coaching in the early 1970s, Washington was a black woman in a predominantly white collegiate world, but she was able to build the KU women’s basketball program into a Top 25 team.

During her tenure, KU’s women logged 560 victories, seven conference titles, six league tournament titles and went to 11 NCAA tournaments, twice finishing in the Sweet 16.

Washington received the conference coach of the year award three times.

She also founded the KU women’s track program and served as the school’s first and only women’s athletic director from 1973-79.

KU athletic director Lew Perkins said last month the door was open if Washington wanted to return to the athletic department in a noncoaching capacity, but she has not said what the future holds.

KU legend says goodbye (2-29-04) More on Marian Washington

On Tuesday, Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, called Washington “one of the most wonderful women I have ever met.”