Chantal Vallée’s arrival on campus as a head coach at the University of Windsor signalled the rebirth of a women’s basketball program that went from insignificant to national prominence. In 2005-06, Vallee took over a losing program that was thin on talent and lacking direction.

The Lancers hadn’t posted a winning record on the hard court since the 1993-94 season.

With a keen eye for talent and a willingness to recruit well beyond the borders of Essex County, Vallée overhauled the roster and the culture and within two years, the Lancers posted the first of 12 consecutive winning seasons.

At its zenith, the Lancers won five straight Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union championships from 2011-15, tying a CIAU record.

During the 2012-13 season, Vallée’s team became the first in OUA history to go undefeated (21-0) since the league’s expanded schedule.

She made more history in 2018 when she took a sabbatical in order to become the first female general manager and head coach of the Hamilton Honey Badgers, a men’s professional team in the Canadian Elite League.

Through the years Canada Basketball has sought Vallée’s skills as an assistant coach at the junior and senior levels. She has coached at two World University Games, a World Championship and a FIBA championship.

Prior to arriving in Windsor from her home province of Quebec, Vallée spent three seasons transforming the basketball program at Vanier College. She served as an assistant at both McGill and University of British Columbia and she was head coach of a Quebec provincial team.

A published author, Vallée has also worked as a color commentator and analyst for CBC, CTV and TSN during the Olympics and NBA playoffs.

Vallée now joins the 2024 class in the builder’s category of the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.