THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090484
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Former Old Dominion center Anne Donovan, who led the Lady Monarchs to the national championship in 1980 and is one of the most decorated female basketball players in history, was nominated Tuesday as a candidate for election to the Basketball Hall Of Fame.
``This came as a total surprise,'' said Donovan, who is in her sixth year as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Lady Monarchs. ``I was stunned at first, but I'm very proud to be honored by what has to be the ultimate award for a basketball player.''
To be elected, a nominee needs 18 votes from the 24-member Honors Committee. The committee is to vote in February, with induction ceremonies scheduled for May 15.
Eight women already are in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Should Donovan make the final cut, she would be the first player, male or female, from a Virginia college to be elected.
The nomination follows Donovan's induction last spring into the GTE-CoSIDA Academic All-American Hall of Fame.
``It was quite an honor to go into the Academic Hall of Fame because that's what I preach every day to the players . . . that you have to prepare for life after basketball,'' said Donovan, who holds Lady Monarchs single-game records for most points (50, against Norfolk State) and blocked shots (15, against San Francisco). ``But now this . . . it's the ultimate honor.''
In her first year at ODU, Donovan benefited by playing with legendary Lady Monarchs Nancy Lieberman and Inge Nissen. According to Donovan, the exposure raised the level of her game.
``Coming to ODU as a freshman, I thought I'd just sit on the bench,'' she said. ``I actually came to ODU to learn from Inge, who was the premier center at the time. I learned a lot from her work ethic.''
Donovan finished her career in 1983 as the Lady Monarchs' all-time leader in scoring (2,719), rebounds (1,976), and blocked shots (801, an NCAA record). She was a three-time All-American and earned national Player of the Year honors her senior season.
Donovan was selected to more national teams than any other player, male or female, in the history of U.S. basketball.
After finishing her college eligibility, Donovan took her skills to the international arena. She played in Japan for five years before rounding out her playing career with a one-year stint in Italy. In between, Donovan was a member of three Olympic teams, leading the U.S. squad to gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Games.
In addition to her duties with the Lady Monarchs, Donovan also serves on the board of directors of USA Basketball and was elected to the Athletes Advisory Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Donovan says her off-court contributions likely played a part in her nomination.
``The Olympic experience had to help,'' she said. ``And being involved in USA Basketball exposed me to a lot of different people that I wouldn't have otherwise known. I'm more than just accomplishments on a piece of paper.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
``This came as a total surprise,'' said Donovan, an assistant coach
at ODU.
Chart
List of accomplishments
For complete information see microfilm.
by CNB