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May 31, 2005


Doonan Steps Down From Ferrum Basketball Post
Veteran Coach Retires After 29 Seasons

FERRUM, VA – Ferrum College Women’s Basketball Coach Donna Doonan announced today that she is retiring from coaching, effective immediately.  Doonan has been at the helm of the women’s basketball program at the College for the past 29 seasons.

Doonan’s immediate plans are to work with the Horace Mann Insurance Company in South Florida.

A pioneer in women’s athletics at Ferrum, Doonan joined the coaching staff in the fall of 1976, after earning her bachelor’s degree at Lynchburg College that spring.  Doonan went on to earn her master’s degree from Lynchburg.

”It’s difficult to say goodbye to someone who’s been a mainstay in our athletics department for the better part of three decades,” said Director of Athletics Abe Naff.  “Donna has made a decision to move on to other opportunities and while it’s sad to lose her, we wish her the best with her new career choice.”

In her first year at Ferrum, Doonan coached women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s tennis and softball.  She also served as Women’s Athletic Coordinator.  Doonan would later coach the men’s tennis team as well.

When the National Collegiate Athletic Association developed the title of Senior Woman Administrator, Doonan accepted that role.  She has taught a number of courses during her tenure within the College's Physical Education & Recreation Division.

Doonan’s 1982 team won the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women’s state basketball tournament, and advanced to the round of 16 at the AIAW national championships.

Doonan’s 1994-95 team went on to win the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (now the USA South Athletic Conference) post-season tournament, and earned an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III national championships.  Her 2002-03 team earned a share of the USA South regular season title.

This past season, Doonan’s 2004-05 team finished 15-12 overall and was runner-up in the USA South regular season standings with an 11-3 record against league opponents.  Doonan owns a 335-348 career coaching record in 29 seasons, all at Ferrum.

Doonan earned Dixie/USA South Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year laurels twice, in 1996 and 2003.  She has coached two junior college All-Americans and five Division III All-Americans, including Tara Toland this past season.

Four of Doonan’s former players are enshrined in the Ferrum College Alumni Sports Hall of Fame: Debra Hayes ’76, Cindy Warring ’82, Barbara Gunter-Lewis ’83, and Sarah Quesenberry-Wagner’94.

Ferrum players have earned 30 All-Conference honors under Doonan, as well as two Conference Players of the Year and two Conference Rookie of the Year awards.  Doonan’s players have earned 42 Academic All-Conference honors as well.  Everyone of Doonan’s four-year letter winners have graduated from Ferrum.

A member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association since its inception in 1981, Doonan has served as a Conference Captain within the organization.  Doonan served four years as a member of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Committee from 1996-2000, chairing the national committee in 2000.  She also served in 2005 as a member of the WBCA/ESPN Top-25 coaches’ poll.

”It has been a privilege to work with some of the finest coaches, student-athletes, faculty, staff, and administrators here at Ferrum,” said Doonan.  “The College community has meant so much to me and I look forward to supporting and serving as an ambassador for Ferrum wherever I go.”

A native of Wildwood, New Jersey, she currently resides in nearby Roanoke, but is planning a June move to South Florida.  A national search to replace Doonan will begin immediately.
 

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