How People Are Remembering Bergen Basketball Star Anne Donovan

PARAMUS, NJ — Former professional players, her alma mater, and other expressed their condolences and thoughts on the life of Anne Donovan, a Hall of Famer and one of the most influential and successful figures in women's basketball history.

Donovan died Wednesday. She was 56. (See related: Hall Of Fame Coach, Ridgewood Native Anne Donovan Dies)

Donovan was a star player for her alma mater, Paramus Catholic High School.

"Paramus Catholic is very saddened to hear of the passing of Anne," Paramus Catholic Principal Stephanie Macaluso said in a Facebook post. "Her accomplishments as a professional are outstanding, in which she touched many lives. Her deep faith was shown in all that she did. Our deepest condolences to the family."

The school's alumni also expressed their condolences online.

"The Paramus Catholic High School community is deeply saddened to learn the news of the passing of beloved and accomplished Paramus Catholic alum Anne Donovan. Thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. May she rest in peace."

Donovan was a Ridgewood native. The 6'8" center was named Parade's Player of the Year in 1979 before attending Old Dominion University.

Donovan was a four-year letter-winner at Old Dominion University. She was head basketball coach at East Carolina University from 1995 to 1998. Donovan led the Pirates to the Colonial Athletic Association's championship game in 1997 as the No. 6 seed.

“My heart aches for the loss of Lady Monarch legend and Hall of Famer, Anne Donovan. An exceptional player, coach and even better person, her legacy will be remembered for years to come,” said Old Dominion women's head basketball coach, and former WNBA player, Nikki McCray. “I am thankful to have known her and now to coach at her alma mater. Rest in peace, coach.”

Donovan averaged a double-double for her entire collegiate career, with 20 points and 14 rebounds a game. She holds the NCAA women's record for career blocked shots with 801. She won two national titles with the Lady Monarchs in 1979 and 1980.

A three-time Olympic player, Donovan won gold medals in 1984 and 1988. She coached the women's national team to a gold medal in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

Donovan coached several teams in the WNBA from 2000 to 2015, including the Seattle Storm, which she won a championship with in 2004. She coached the Seton Hall University women's team from 2010 to 2013.

Many of Donovan's contemporaries and places she coached expressed their sadness regarding her death.

"The tremendous impact Anne Donovan made, not only on ECU, but the entire game of basketball is unprecedented," said East Carolina University Head Women's Basketball Coach Heather Macy. "While we have lost a legend, we are consoled by the lasting memories and a legacy that will certainly continue to inspire our program and the countless of individuals she influenced."

Donovan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, as part of its inaugural class, in 1995, and the Federation of International Basketball Association Hall of Fame.

ESPN college basketball commentator Dick Vitale called Donovan "a legend."

Rutgers women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer called Donovan "one of the best players of our time."

Stringer also said, "I love Anne and know so many people admire her. I have nothing but great respect for her knowledge of the game and the tremendous admiration for her as a tireless worker. I know that anyone who has been a part of Anne's life has nothing but thanks and appreciation for being able to touch our lives."

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Anne Donovan, the the-head coach of the Women's USA Basketball team, addresses the media during a press conference ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)