 |
 | Hometown: Randers, Denmark |
A two-time national champion with the 1979 and 1980 Lady Monarchs, Inge Nissen left her indelible mark on Old Dominion women''s basketball during a stellar playing career. Nissen earned Kodak All-American honors in 1980 and was also named to the Street and Smith''s All-American team.
A four-year starter, Nissen ended her career with 2,647 points and 1,459 rebounds. She ranks second in both categories all-time at Old Dominion. Nissen averaged 19.3 career points and 10.6 career rebounds. In addition, Nissen holds several individual season records, including field goals attempted (651), free throws attempted (209), and free throws made (148), as well as single game records for field goals attempted (33) and rebounds, 28 vs. LongwoodCollege on March 3, 1978 and against Virginia Union on Dec. 10, 1977.
Nissen led the Lady Monarchs in scoring as a junior in 1979 at 22.0 and as a senior in 1980at 17.4. She led the team in rebounding three straight years from 1977-1979. In 1978, she blocked 12 shots in a game against Radford and Virginia Union.
A two-time Wade Trophy Finalist, Nissen was named the team''s MVP during the 1978, 1979and 1980 seasons as well as the Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year in 1980. In 1978,Nissen led Old Dominion to the National Women''s Invitational Tournament Championshipand ended a fine career by leading the Lady Monarchs to the AIAW National Championships in 1979 and 1980.
After her career at Old Dominion, Nissen spend a season in the Women''s Pro Basketball League with Chicago.
A native of Denmark, Nissen was one of the top amateur players in Europe in the early 1970s. During that time, she played an important role on five national championship teams with Denmark (1972), Norway (1973) and France (1974, 1975 and 1985).
She then played overseas and won the French National Championship with theAsnieres junior team. A year later, Nissen coached the team to the national title.
She joined the basketball staff of former Lady Monarch Cindy Russo in 1989 andhas served as the associate head coach since 1991 at Florida International University.
Inge jersey number 42 has been retired by ODU and she was inducted into the ODUSports Hall of Fame in 1985. Nissen was also honored as one of ESPN.com''s top-25 players of the pre-NCAA era for her accomplishments with the Lady Monarchs.
Nissen was inducted into the Women''s Basketball Hall of Fame, June 9, 2012 inKnoxville, TN. Her induction class included Robin Roberts, Pamela McGee, Nancy Fahey, Nikki McCray and Dawn Staley.
Nissen received her bachelor''s degrees in French Literature (1981) and Art (1990) from Old Dominion University. Nissen and her husband, Lance Bennett, live in Perrine, Florida.