May 7, 2002

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke University women's basketball head coach Gail Goestenkors announced on Tuesday the addition of LaVonda Wagner to the Blue Devil coaching staff beginning June 1, 2002. Wagner replaces Joanne Boyle who took over the head coaching position at Richmond in April.

Wagner comes to Duke after serving as assistant/associate head coach for the past eight years at the University of Illinois under head coach Theresa Grentz. She will be involved with all aspects of the Blue Devil program including working with the post players, recruiting and scouting.

"This was an opportunity that I could not pass up," said Wagner. "To continue to work with an outstanding staff at another prestigious university and to get closer to home, I couldn't ask for anything better."

A native of Bristol, Va., Wagner joined the Illinois coaching staff in 1994 as assistant coach and was promoted to recruiting coordinator in 1998. Prior to the 1999-2000 season, she was promoted to associate head coach. In addition to her role as top assistant, Wagner worked closely with the post players, recruiting and scouting. As recruiting coordinator, she landed recruiting classes as high as fourth nationally.

"We are very excited to have LaVonda come on board," said Goestenkors. "We feel like she will be an incredible asset to our program. She is a great communicator, motivator and will bring new ideas to the program. We will all become better because of her addition."

Prior to arriving at Illinois, Wagner served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at East Tennessee State for six seasons. Before joining the basketball coaching ranks, she coached volleyball at ETSU from 1986-88. During that same time period, she also acted as a teaching instructor in the East Tennessee State physical education department.

Wagner earned National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-America honors in basketball and volleyball in 1986 at Mars Hill College in North Carolina. She was named Southeast Regional Player of the Year in 1986 and was the NAIA District 24 Most Valuable Player her senior year. She scored a school-record 2,036 points during her career, including 629 points as a junior. At the time of her departure, Wagner held game, season and career rebounding records, with 33, 467 and 1,662 in those categories, respectively. On Oct. 23, 1998, Wagner was inducted into the Mars Hill Hall of Fame. Wagner earned a bachelor's degree in physical education with a minor in recreation from Mars Hill in 1986 and a master's degree in education with an emphasis in athletic administration from East Tennessee State in 1988.

"During the interview process, I was very impressed with the student-athletes," said Wagner. "Their commitment and vision were incredible. This team is going to do great things and I am very excited about being a part of that. I want to be part of the quest for the national championship. I feel my personality and beliefs fit in to what Duke already has. I feel very blessed to be a part of Gail Goestenkors' program."

The 2002-03 edition of the Duke women's basketball team has already been ranked second nationally by WomensCollegeHoops.com and returns seven of the eight letterwinners from its 31-4 squad which advanced to the NCAA Final Four.

"LaVonda is a tremendous people person and relates well to everyone," said Goestenkors. "She relates well to everyone whether it would be high school players, parents or coaches. She will be a an excellent recruiter for us as well as help us in every other aspect of the program."

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LaVonda Wagner Fast Facts

Birthdate
April 24, 1964

High School
Virginia High School
Bristol, Va.

College Education
Mars Hill College, '86
B.S. Physical Education

East Tennessee State, '88
M.S. Physical Education

Playing Experience
Mars Hill College, 1982-86 All-America, 1986
(volleyball and basketball)
SE Regional Player of the Year, '86

Coaching Career
East Tennessee State
Assistant Coach, 1988-94

University of Illinois
Assistant Coach, 1994-98
Recruiting Coordinator, 1998-99
Associate Head Coach, 1999-present

**Picture provided by Illinois Sports Information