Connecticut Sun assistant coach Bernadette Mattox was officially inducted into the University of Georgia’s Circle of Honor during a ceremony on Sept. 25th at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall.

The Circle of Honor is the school’s highest tribute to former athletes and coaches. Mattox was inducted in a group that included Matt Stinchcomb (football), Brent Noon (track) and Kim Arnold (gymnastics).

“It was humbling,” said Mattox, who had a large group of family and friends on hand for the event. “I guess you really don’t know the magnitude of it until you’re there. You walk in, and you’re in the midst of everything, and it’s breathtaking. You realize your name is up there with all the other honorees. It’s almost more than you ever could have imagined.”

Mattox was the University of Georgia’s first female All American, and its first academic All American. She went on to serve as an assistant coach on the staff of head coach Andy Landers from 1985-90, then left Georgia for Kentucky, where she became the first female assistant coach for a Division I men’s basketball program.

Mattox, who has served as an assistant coach on the Connecticut Sun staff since 2003, spoke about how much her years at Georgia meant during her speech Friday night.

“My coaching career took me away from Athens many years ago, but the truth is I have never really left,” she said. “Today’s honor just ensures I will always be a part of the University of Georgia.”