Jan. 25, 2006
NORFOLK, VA-- In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Old Dominion University, Yogi Hightower ('82) and Marina DiGiacomo ('00) headline the 13-member all-time ODU field hockey squad announced today by the athletic department as voted on by fans on the ODU website.
One of the most successful women's programs of all-time, The Lady Monarchs captured nine NCAA National Championships, competed in all 25 NCAATournaments, and won 12 CAA titles. In all six players have won the prestigious Honda Award with 12 having competed in the summer Olympic games for the United States, The Netherlands and Argentina.
Hightower appeared on 21 of the 26 ballots (Jan. 6-23rd) and Marina DiGiacomo on 17 of the Ballots cast. Rounding out the first team are Donna Doyle Smith ('58), Kelli James ('92), Kim Miller ('99), Dawn Hill (`85), Christy Morgan ('84), Kim Decker ('95), Cheryl Van Kuren ('85), Jackie Grady ('86), Maika Hilbrand ('92), Mimi Smith (`98) and Tiffany Snow ('02).
Yolanda "Yogi" Hightower was a vital part of ODU's rise as a national powerin the early 1980's. The two-time All-American was a member of the US Olympicsquad as an alternate in 1984 and participant in the 1988 summer games. Hightower completed her career with 62 points and 48 career assists. She became the first of six ODU Honda Award winners in 1983, and the first African American to be so honored.She helped lead the Lady Monarchs to the first NCAA title in 1982.
Marina DiGiacomo earned the 2000 Honda Award after leading the Lady Monarchs to their ninth NCAA National Championship. A four-time CAA Playerof the Year and Tournament MVP, DiGiacomo led the nation in points (151), goals(63), and goals per game (2.4) en route to becoming the NCAA's all-time leading scorerwith 414 career points. She also scored 167 career goals which ties her for second all-time in NCAA history. DiGiacomo earned a bronze medal for Argentina's Olympic team in the 2004 summer games.
A three-sport star, Donna Doyle Smith was the school's first woman physical education graduate in 1958. A Dean's list student became the namesake for the first athletic scholarship fund for women at ODU in 1975 (Donna Doyle Athletic Scholarship).
Kelli James was a two-time all-American and veteran of the internationalcompetition. The 1992 Honda Award winner, James led the nation in scoring with 131points. A native of Medford, NJ she was a member of the 1996 US Olympic team whichcompeted in the Summer games in Atlanta. Virginia Beach native Kim Miller was a three-time All-CAA and three-time All-American.
Dawn Hill earned All-American honors in 1985, and was a member of threeNCAA championship teams. Christy Morgan was the second ODU hockey player to win the Honda Award and was a three-time All-American. As a coach, she took James Madison to the 1994 title.
Kim Decker was a two-time All-CAA and two-time All-American goalkeeper. Cheryl Van Kuren earned All-American honors twice, as did Jackie Grady. Maaike Hilbrand tied with DiGiacomo for second on the NCAA All-Time list with career 167 goals and is third all-time in points with 372. Two-Time All-American Mimi Smith and Tiffany Snow were also Honda Award winners. Smith played high school hockey for Hightower at nearby Ocean Lakes in Virginia Beach to complete the circle.
Also receiving votes were: Pam Neiss, Cathy Large, Winnifred Sanders, Laura Knorr, Kathy Fosina, Samantha Salvia, Adrienne Yoder, Diane Bracalente, Williamien Aardenburg, Carolyn Sarr, Trish Tillotson, Jean Whitehurst, Robin Smith, and Sue Callahan, and Danielle Chellew.
The next all-time team to be selected is men's soccer.