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Yolanda "Yogi" Hightower-Boothe was a vital part of Old Dominion University''s rise as a national power in women''s field hockey. In 1982, she helped lead the Lady Monarchs to their first NCAA national championship.
During her four seasons at ODU, Hightower earned All-American honors twice and was a two-time member of the NCAA All-Tournament squad. In 1980, the Lady Monarchs placed fifth in the AIAW nationals. As a junior, she helped lead ODU to third place in the NCAA Championships. That year, she led the team with 20 assists and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament squad. As a senior in 1982, the Lady Monarchs compiled a 20-1 record and she led the team in assists with 19 and was third in scoring with 25 points. Hightower repeated as both an All-American and NCAA All-Tournament team selection.
The Virginia Beach, VA, native completed her career with 62 career points, which ranks her fifth on the all-time scoring list at ODU. She had 48 career assists which places her third on the ODU all-time list. Yogi was ODU''s Most Valuable Player in 1982.
Hightower''s field hockey career didn''t stop after her ODU playing days were over. Since graduating from ODU, Yogi has been a member of the United States national field hockey team. She competed in the 1987 Pan American Games, was an alternate on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and was one of seven former Lady Monarchs to represent ODU in the 1988 summer games.
Hightower was named to the Virginian Pilot''s 50 Greatest Athletes fromSouth Hampton Roadson Dec. 23rd, 2008. She is a member of both the ODU and theVirginia Sports Halls of Fame.
Hightower earned her degree in health and physical education and has served as an assistant coach at ODU for field hockey and lacrosse.