FRANKLIN-The gymnasium at Franklin High School was renamed the Peggy H. Wilkins Gymnasium in a ceremony Saturday afternoon.

The ceremony honored the school’s former girls’ basketball coach who amassed a 191-16 record in 12 seasons.

Wilkins also coached at Hayden High School prior to integration, compiling a 143-46 record for a combined career record of 334-62.

Remarkably, Wilkins coached every one of her Franklin High School teams to a district championship beginning in 1970-71, the first year after integration of the city schools. She won a regional championship five times, was the state runner-up in 1979-80 and won the state title in 1981.

The Greensboro, N.C., native came to Franklin in 1960 as a physical education teacher, having never coached a team in any sport.

Franklin Athletic Director Darren Parker and current girls’ baskertball coach Mona Sumblin addressed the crowd that gathered in the gymnasium Saturday. There was also a slide presentation and reflections by family members and former colleagues and friends.