Editor's note: St. Norbert defeated Carroll (Wisconsin) Wednesday night to give Connie Tilley her 500th career coaching victory.

Regardless of when Connie Tilley collects her 500th coaching victory – whether it’s tonight or later this season – this already been an eventful year for the St. Norbert women’s basketball coach.

Tilley was surprised Saturday with a ceremony naming the school’s basketball court in her honor, following the Green Knights’ victory over Knox – Tilley’s 499th career win in her 32-year tenure.

Tilley, who also served lengthy stints as softball and volleyball coach after her arrival on St. Norbert’s campus in 1977, can collect her 500th basketball victory as her team attempts to hold on to a one-game lead in the Midwest Conference standings on the road tonight at Carroll (Wisconsin). The Green Knights then will return home this weekend to play Beloit, another contender for the league lead, on the newly named Connie Tilley Court.

The Green Knights have won 20 straight games on their home court and 24 of their last 25 games there – only the 18th time that Division III women’s team has won 20 straight home games.

A St. Norbert administrator cited the coach’s loyalty to the college and to the student-athletes she has coached during her tenure in naming the playing surface in Schuldes Sports Center for Tilley.

“I can think of no better honor for someone who has meant as much to our athletics department as Connie has,” said Tim Bald, the school’s athletics director. “Not only does St. Norbert College appreciate Connie’s self-emptying service, but so do her many past and present student-athletes.”

She has coached eight teams to appearances in the Division III Women’s Basketball Championship, including a semifinal appearance in 1985.

Tilley also served nine years as women’s volleyball coach, ending in 1985, and coached the softball team for 13 years. She has collected a total of 828 coaching victories in basketball, softball and volleyball at the school.

She also has coached women’s golf at the school and currently is men’s golf coach, in addition to serving as assistant athletics director.