The W Athletics

Jill Upton was a leader in the women's basketball coaching community and brought great distinction to MUW during her tenure (1968-75, 1976-77). In addition to her eight seasons guiding The W, Upton was also selected to coach the United States in its first-ever entry in the World University Games in the summer of 1973.
Among Upton's accomplishments while in Columbus, was a women's NIT national championship in 1971. Upton's team also finished fourth in the nation in the first-ever AIAW tournament the following season (1971-72), the year Title IX was enacted.
 
Upton-coached players garnered national honors along the way, as well. Individuals like Dot Easterwood, Martha Rayburn and Jenny Ladner – to name a few – earned all-America status. MUW gained a reputation as a women's basketball force, thanks to Upton's schedule versus top teams in the country and MUW's own annual Christmas Tournament (begun by Upton in 1973- 74) in Columbus.

As the first head coach for the USA in the World University Games, she mentored Pat Summitt, as well as her own Easterwood, on the silver-medal team. Upton's team defeated the likes of France, Romania, Bulgaria, Cuba and Mexico (losing only to host Russia in the tourney).
Upton's niece is Sarah Thomas - the first full-time female NFL official – as well as the first female to officiate a Super Bowl (LV).