An outstanding athlete and later one of its most successful coaches, Joyce Perry played a major role in the growth of Blue Hen athletics for over 25 years. A native of Milford, DE, Joyce earned her bachelor's degree in 1973 and her master's degree in 1978 from Delaware after serving as a two-year captain in basketball and lettering for the first tennis and field hockey teams in UD history. She became Delaware's second women's basketball head coach in 1978 and served for 18 seasons, the longest tenure in school history. She led Delaware to an 18-year record of 266-212, six straight winning seasons in 1987-93, three 20-win campaigns, and three straight East Coast Conference titles in 1989, 1990, and 1991. She coached nine all-conference selections, three conference players of the year, and one conference rookie of the year, and was twice named ECC Coach of the Year in 1984 (22-4) and 1989 (23-6). Joyce and her husband, Gregg Perry, reside in New London, PA with their sons Rhett and Trey. Gregg is a former standout Delaware football player who served as the Blue Hens' offensive line coach in 1977-91. Joyce currently is in her fifth year as an instructional technology specialist with the Avon Grove School District after teaching four years in the UD College of Health and Exercise Science. She still competes in basketball and tennis and has competed at the World Senior Games.
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