June 25, 2011
NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion head women's basketball coach Karen Barefoot has announced the addition of a former Lady Monarch WNBA All-Star, Kodak District All-American, and a member of the 1985 NCAA National Championship women's basketball team, Adrienne Goodson, to her staff.
"I am ecstatic to welcome Adrienne Goodson back to the Lady Monarch program," said Barefoot. "She brings dedication, experience, a tremendous work ethic, but most importantly a passion for ODU. Her experience and depth of knowledge on the national level as a professional athlete, coach, trainer, and player at ODU is incredibly impressive. She is a perfect match for our staff as knows what it takes to become a winner."
During her career at Old Dominion, Goodson was a two-time Second Team All-Sun Belt performer and was also on the Sun-Belt All-Tournament squad in 1987. As a junior in 1987, she was named the Sun Belt Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player and as a senior in 1988, she was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year.
"I am truly happy that Old Dominion had chosen me to be a part of the new generation and journey," said Goodson. "Undoubtedly, Old Dominion is a school rich in tradition and pride and it was that tradition that led to my decision to attend the university. It will be that same tradition that I will pass on to the student-athlete. That is all I know and all I will continue to promote it. I have played on many levels and have had many teams, but I bleed blue."
As a senior in 1988, Goodson was named Player of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference and in the State of Virginia. In 1987, she was named the Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player. During her career at Old Dominion, Goodson was a two-time second team All-Sun Belt performer in 1986 and 1987, and was also on the Sun-Belt All-Tournament squad in 1987.
During her freshman season, Goodson was a member of the 1985 NCAA National Championship squad. She averaged 9.5 points per game as she scored 323 points, which is the seventh most points scored in Lady Monarch history for a freshman. In the NCAA title game, Goodson scored nine points and hauled in six rebounds to help the Lady Monarchs defeat Georgia, 70-65 in Austin, Texas as Old Dominion rolled to a 31-3 record.
With Goodson on the floor, the Lady Monarchs won the Sun Belt Conference title in 1985 and in 1987 and helped lead Old Dominion to three NCAA tournaments. Goodson closed out her career with 1,574 career points and 863 career rebounds. She ranks 11th all-time in scoring. She was inducted into the Old Dominion Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and was a part of the Colonial Athletic Association Legends Class of 2005.
Following her graduation in 1989 with a degree in marketing education, Goodson captained the 1993 USA National Basketball team and played professionally in Brazil before returning to the states to become a two-time All-Star in the American Basketball League for the Richmond/Philadelphia Rage. During her time in the ABL she averaged 17.5 points and 7.9 rebounds and was one of only five players (Teresa Edwards, Carolyn Jones-Young, Dawn Staley, and Natalie Williams) twice named to an All-ABL Team. She ranks fourth with 1,658 career ABL points scored and is second only to Williams in ABL career offensive rebounds with 293.
Goodson was selected in the third round (27th overall) in the 1999 WNBA consolidation draft and in her nine-year WNBA career played with the Utah Starzz (1999-2002), San Antonio Silver Stars (2002-04), Houston Comets (2005), and finished her career with the Charlotte Sting (2005). In 2002, she was selected to the WNBA All-Star Team. During her career in the WNBA, Goodson totaled 2,705 points and 1,126 rebounds averaging 12.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Active in the community and a guest speaker to numerous groups and schools across the country, Goodson received the 2003 WNBA Off-Season Community Assist Award and for six seasons was a spokesperson for the WNBA's Mind, Body, and Spirit and Read to Achieve programs. In 2003, Goodson was invited by then First Lady Laura Bush to Third Annual National Book Festival organized by the Library of Congress. She also served as an Ambassador in the Land O Lakes Hoops 4 Africa program in 2005.
This will be Goodson's second stint as a coach with the Lady Monarch women's basketball program. She served as an assistant during the 2004-05 season, which included monitoring and planning workouts for the Lady Monarch guards. Goodson also served as a conditioning coach to the program, implementing and facilitating the Lady Monarchs' pre-season program.
"I am a pioneer for women's basketball and happy to be able to contribute my skills, education, and personal experiences with this younger generation," continued Goodson. "Most of all, I am once again blessed with the opportunity to coach alongside Karen Barefoot who is one of the most dedicated, passionate, and skillful individuals in women's basketball. Her know how and expertise is a welcomed asset to the program and one that will grow along with the sport. I will bring my best to the program as I did in the past."
Goodson is the second coach to be named to Barefoot's staff joining assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Amaka Agugua, who spent the last two season as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Indiana University, bringing in a Top 25 recruiting class for the Hoosiers in 2011.
What They Are Saying About Adrienne Goodson
"Adrienne is one of the greatest Lady Monarchs to put on the uniform and will be a great addition to Karen's staff."
- Anne Donovan, Head Coach Seton Hall, Former Lady Monarch (1979-83)
"Adrienne was player that had tremendous passion for the game. I loved her intensity and heart. I know she will coach with that same determination and attitude."
-Ticha Penicheiro, WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, former Lady Monarch (1994-98)
"To have a member of the alumni come back and coach means a lot to Old Dominion. She's a familiar face that many can connect with. She understands the game and knows what it takes to win."
-Pam Huntley, Former Lady Monarch (1990-93)
"Adrienne always pushed us in workouts and was a constant source of motivation. Players look up to those coaches who have that professional experience and she's done that having played in the WNBA. She's talked the talk and walked the walk."
-Megan Pym, Former Lady Monarch (2004-08)