ANNETTE WILES
Born: Beloit, Kan.
Graduated: Sylvan Grove H.S., 1987 / Fort Hays State University, 1991
The news that she was selected for induction into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame left Annette Wiles
speechless for a few moments. She was caught up in the realization that she would be joining the list of other great women’s basketball players from Kansas, such as Lynette Woodard and Jackie Stiles.
“I just sobbed,” Wiles said. “I just kept trying to say thank you, but the words just couldn’t seem to
come out because the tears were flowing of immense pride for my family, immense pride for my community and immense pride for my coaches and teammates and the people I’ve been surrounded
by. I accept this honor. I accept this privilege, and I stand on the shoulders of hundreds of people to
have these successes.”
Wiles’ successes are plentiful. She led Fort Hays State to an NAIA national championship in 1991 and then recorded more than 400 wins as a college coach.
Born Marcy 18, 1969 in Beloit, Kan., she was raised in Hunter, Kan., and attended Sylvan Grove High
School and led her team to a state runner-up finish in 1987.
Wiles then attended Fort Hays State, where she was a two-time All-American and MVP of the 1991
NAIA national tournament. As a senior, she helped the Tigers to a 34-2 record, leading the team with
24.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
She left Fort Hays State with career records for points (2,407), rebounds (961), field goals (993), field
goal attempts (1,700), field goal percentage (.584), free throws made (421), free throws attempted
(554) and blocked shots (142).
Following her time at Fort Hays State, Wiles received an offer to play professionally in Denmark.
Instead, she accepted a graduate assistant coaching position at her alma mater. Then, at age 23, she
was hired to be the head coach at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. In her seven seasons at
Bethany, she led the Swedes to four NAIA national tournaments. She returned to Fort Hays State and
coached the Tigers for eight seasons, directing the team to the NCAA Division II tournament in 2005.
Wiles then took over the Minnesota-Duluth program for seven seasons. There, she led the Bulldogs to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2010 and 2012. Wiles returned to Kansas to become the athletics director at Topeka High School. She later became the director of Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.
She is in the Fort Hays State Sports and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference halls of fame.