Jan Donahue, First Women's Basketball and Volleyball Coach

Legacies begin when a person is bold enough to make them. Jan Donahue was that person 50 years ago when she started the university’s first women’s basketball and volleyball teams.

Donahue interviewed for a faculty position in 1973, during which time she asked about starting a women’s sports program. She put flyers throughout dorms and campus buildings to invite interested women to a meeting to plan the next steps. The women took a vote and decided to start basketball and volleyball the following year.

“I advocated for athletic programs for women. The paradigm was that women had a place in the competitive athletic arena in college sports and faced the challenge of funding and facilities,” said Donahue, who was active in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. 

With volleyball coaching experience in the rapidly growing sport, Donahue knew the team had a steep learning curve. The plan was that the team would not compete in the first half of the season to allow time to work on skills and strategy, compete in the second half, and not go to the state tournament. With some losses and surprising wins, the agreement was that the team of 14 players would compete in the state tournament. The Seahawk team not only went on to compete in their first-ever state tournament but also won the championship.

Donahue coached the women’s indoor volleyball team for two more years. Many of the players she coached continued their involvement with volleyball after leaving UNCW.

“These many years later, being with them at the 50th anniversary is a tribute to the amazing women they have become,” said Donahue. “We’ve shared stories of how each of them has taken volleyball into some aspects of their lives as players in the military, teachers, coaches, and officials. I’ve had various titles in my professional life, but the greatest smile comes from being called coach.”

The women's volleyball program celebrated its 50th anniversary on Oct. 11, 2024, with a banquet. Head coach Dartanya Hampton credits Donahue with providing women with opportunities to compete in college athletics at UNCW, a testament to her lasting influence. 

“Jan Donahue was a pioneer in women’s athletics. What she did to fight for the opportunity for women to play volleyball and basketball at UNCW was amazing,” Hampton said, “If it had not been for her and the ladies of both teams, we would not have the opportunities we have today.  UNCW Volleyball is forever indebted to Jan, and we appreciate her very much.”