WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Former Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Track and Field, and Cross Country Coach, Stenson Conley passed away Tuesday, October 15th in Winston-Salem.
Coach Conley graduated from Winston-Salem State University in 1977 with his bachelor of science degree in Political Science and was a member of the men’s basketball team playing for the legendary Big House Gaines. He helped WSSU claim the 1977 CIAA championship, the eighth in school history.
He received his Master’s in Sports Administration in 1984 from the United States Sports Academy. Coach Conley was one of the first alums to coach at his alma mater, leading the women’s basketball team from 1981 to 1994. He stayed on as a faculty member at WSSU in the Physical Education and Sports Management department until his recent retirement.
Coach Conley was the all-time winningest coach for the Women’s Basketball program finishing 12 seasons with 128 wins. He coached many Ram legends that still hold records in the WSSU history book such as C.E. Gaines Hall of Famer, Keenan Menefee-Long, all-time leading scorer, Carolyn Huntley, and All-time leading rebounder Sharon Holloway-Tanner.
Coach Conley was recently inducted into his high school, McDowell Hall of Fame.
Funeral services and arrangements are still being made at this time.