FOREST, Va. --- Our fifth edition of the ODAC's "Title IX Talk" feature series focuses on Ferrum College. We take a look at Panthers trailblazer Donna Doonan and reflect on her legacy at Ferrum College and hear what those who worked alongside her have to say.

Donna Doonan, a native of Wildwood, N.J., joined the Ferrum College coaching staff in the fall of 1976 after receiving her bachelor’s degree from then Lynchburg College, where she later returned to a master’s degree. Doonon spent 29 seasons as the head women’s basketball coach at Ferrum and in her first year also coached volleyball, tennis, and softball. She later went on to coach the Panthers men’s tennis program, further emphasizing the impact and power of Title IX.

When the NCAA developed the Senior Woman Administrator position, Doonan took on that responsibility and remained in that role until her retirement in May 2005. She advocated for all levels of women’s athletics – student-athletes, coaches, teams – during her tenure via many avenues including as a teacher within the College’s physical education and recreation department.

“She clearly was a prime example of the power of Title IX, coaching multiple sports that offered young women the opportunity to participate in collegiate athletics,” explained Vickie Van Kleeck, former softball coach and SWA at Ferrum and current ODAC supervisor for women’s basketball officials. “Donna was also the primary reason I arrived at Ferrum. As a college basketball official, I met Donna in the late 1980’s. She knew I was looking to relocate back to Virginia from the south where I was coaching college softball. With her help I became the first full time softball coach at Ferrum, a career that spanned 24 years for me. Donna was also the Senior Woman Administrator and I followed her in that position when she retired in 2005 after 29 incredible years of service to women’s sports at Ferrum.”

Doonan not only impacted individuals by position and out-of-competition leadership, but she also led some very successful programs. Her 1981-82 women’s basketball team won the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) State Basketball Tournament and advanced to the round of 16 at the AIAW National Championships. Her 1994-95 squad went on to win the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (now the USA South Athletic Conference) Tournament, and earned an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III championship. Her 2002-03 unit earned a share of the Dixie regular season title.

In 2004-05, Doonan's final season at Ferrum, the Panthers finished 15-12 overall and were runners-up in the USA South regular season standings with an 11-3 record against league opponents. She closed her career with a 335-348 career coaching record in 29 seasons, all at Ferrum. Doonan earned Dixie/USA South Women's Basketball Coach of the Year honors twice in 1996 and 2003.

Doonan coached six All-Americans at Ferrum in addition to 30 all-conference honorees. That latter group featured a pair of Player of the Year accolades and two Rookie of the Year plaudits. Doonan’s student-athletes earned 42 Academic All-Conference laurels with each of her four-year letter-winners graduating from Ferrum.

Doonan was inducted into the Ferrum College Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

“Donna was a great co-worker during her time here at Ferrum” expressed Gail Holley, Ferrum’s long-time athletics office manager. “We still see the great relationships she had with her players today, who speak so highly of their time playing under her. She had a warm contagious personality about her that made her a pleasure to be near.”

Doonan served four years as a member of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Committee from 1996-2000, serving as national chair her final year. After retiring from coaching, she moved to South Florida, where she worked for the Horace Mann Insurance Company. Doonan also owned and operated Sunshine Teachers Insurance in Pompano Beach, Fla.. Following a battle with colon cancer, Donna Doonan passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale at the age of 67. Her legacy as a pioneer for women’s athletics continues to live on within the Ferrum and women’s basketball communities.

More Impressions from Ferrum Colleagues and Friends

“I spent 21 years working with Donna and I can tell that in all honesty, she is one of the best people I’ve ever worked with. I really admired her for her passion and commitment to the game of basketball and to her players. Some of my best memories of Donna revolve around her coaching against her good friend Susan Dunagan from Roanoke. I loved watching those two go at each other on the court, but then they were like sisters off the court. I cherish my friendship with Donna and miss her dearly.”
-- Bobby James, Assistant Football Coach

“Donna was pretty awesome to work with. She made sure to take care of the people who worked behind the scenes, whether it be a thank you card or plate of fried pickles from Mama K Restaurant. Donna had a generous heart and a warm smile, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like her. She was a pioneer of women’s athletics, coached five sports and had a leading role in Ferrum’s Physical Education program. Recently we had a day of remembrance for Donna, including a dedication of the lobby in Swartz Gymnasium in her honor. Her legacy here lives on.”
-- Gary Holden, Associate AD and Sports Information Director

Stay tuned to the ODAC website and its feeds on social media platforms for future editions of Talking Title IX. Be sure to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.

To access any of the previous episodes of ODAC Title IX Talk, see the list below.

IMPORTANT NOTES AND IMPACTS OF TITLE IX

• Title IX was passed by Congress and written into law by President Richard M. Nixon in 1972.
• Title IX states that "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
• Title IX has had many impacts, but five of the major benefits include:
  • equality in enrollment for educational courses
  • women pursue and earn more degrees
  • women become collegiate professors
  • more girls and women not only play more sports, but more coach and become athletic administrators
  • protection for pregnant women from blatant discrimination (removed from school, offered lesser courses)
  • women increased participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)