NORFOLK, Va. - ODUSports.com caught up with Old Dominion women's basketball alumni Lucienne Berthieu. Berthieu was a three-time All-CAA honoree, two-time CAA Player of the Year and third-team Women's Basketball Journal All-American. As a freshman, Berthieu was the 1999 CAA Rookie of the Year. She was drafted by the Seattle Storm of the WNBA and also played for the Cleveland Rockers and played professionally in France. Berthieu is the 22nd all-time leading scorer in ODU history, playing the second fewest games of anyone to score 1,000 career points in ODU history. She graduated with a degree in communications in 2002 and in 2018, was inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame.
Q: What have you been up to since graduating from Old Dominion? (job, hobbies, etc.)
LB: I came back home to France, in the center of the country a city called Limoges. I have been busy raising 3 kids with my husband and building a home for them. I played some professional basketball, then got married, was a marketing director for a year and a half for a ball team. Got a degree in gerontology, gave French lessons to USA players for the local professional men's basketball team and English lessons to French players and people of that organization called CSP Limoges. I have a soon to be 13 years old daughter Marie, a nearly 10 years old son Joachim and a 7 years old son Emmanuel. In my spare time I love to read, listen to music and watch movies. I hate TV shows and commercials that is why I rarely watch live TV.
Q: You were the 19th overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, what was it like to play at the highest level of basketball following graduation at ODU?
LB: it was a surprise to be picked, an honor of course for the program and the coaches and players who have helped build it. A surprise because when I came to ODU my primary goal was to get a degree and basketball was a way to get it. I never expected to live off it, I thought I knew it all, get the degree then go home and get a real job. The love for the game kind of snuck up on me later on. I have always been a competitor so trying to be the best at basketball was a goal as well as earning that degree. I am grateful for what the Monarch family with coach Larry as the captain gave me and is still doing today in my life. Friendships of a lifetime. That is what ODU has given me.
Q: What was your most memorable game playing in a Monarch jersey?
LB: How can I pick just one? Beating UConn at the Fieldhouse, while I was recovering from ACL, which made me miss almost the whole season and my junior year. Our CAA championship win over James Madison I believe to allow me to play that year in the NCAA! Thanks again ladies for that opportunity.
Q: How did your time at ODU prepare you for life after graduation?
LB: it helped shape my relationships with others, build my character some more, never accept defeat even when you don't see a way to win. Never give up on your coaches or teammates, when you say you have someone's back, mean it. Work hard, no cheating because it will catch up to you when you don't expect it. To be patient and accept people for who they are not who I want them to be ... and so much more. Each of my teammates and staff, trainers and strength and conditioning coach as well as the teachers, advisors and beloved fans, helped me shape my character and become the woman I am today. Through athletics many life lessons can be learned. I have to mention all athletes that I met during those 4 years, not just the basketball team. Great memories.
Q: Between your former teammates and coaches, who had the biggest impact on your life?
LB: I would say 4 people did, coach Larry for her passion that she tried to give us everyday at practice, Clarisse Machanguana former player who was as efficient as she was quiet and modest, Felicia Allen Hamchetou Maiga-Ba and Myriah Spence-Annankra who are my sisters from another mother (together we are one person really and have been best friends since ODU where we met) so they count as one person, and former player and coach Anne Donovan, whose words of encouragement still ring in my ears whenever I happen to be down, she was the difference in a time of doubts during World Championship in China, she was coach of the USA and I represented my country with France. She helped lift my spirit and gave me hope and purpose. I'll always be thankful for our meeting there. She still lives in me and those she touched, may she rest in peace. Of course coach Zuck our strength and conditioning coach whom help us build and sharpen our bodies for battles, our trainers, assistant coaches and our wonderful secretary Annette or sunshine her nickname ... I could keep going.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to a Monarch basketball player, what would it be?
LB: Don't hold anything back, 4 years goes by so fast. Be grateful for the chance you have been given, don't waste it, do the work and be patient, if you don't cheat the results will follow. Welcome to the Monarch family. Much Love
Where Are They Now? Lucienne Berthieu
