Hall Of Fame Coach, Ridgewood Native Anne Donovan Dies

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Anne Donovan, the former basketball star for Paramus Catholic and a Hall of Fame, championship-winning coach, died Wednesday.

Donovan, 56, died of heart failure, ESPN reported.

Donovan, a Ridgewood native, was a star player for Paramus Catholic High School and found success at every level of the game.

Donovan's family released a statement on her passing Wednesday:

"While it is extremely difficult to express how devastating it is to lose Anne, our family remains so very grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful human being. Anne touched many lives as a daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and coach. Anne was a person with strong faith, courageous spirit, and a giving heart and love for everyone."

As a player, she won a national championship with Old Dominion University, went to three Final Fours, and two Olympic gold medals.

As a coach, Donovan led the Seattle Storm to the franchise's first title in 2004. She is the only person to win a women's college championship and coach a team to a professional title.

Donovan coached the Women's National Basketball Team to a gold medal at the Olympics in 2008.

Women's National Basketball Association President Lisa Borders released a statement Wednesday regarding Donovan's death:

"A decorated player and trailblazing coach, Anne Donovan played a seminal role in the growth of women's basketball. For all she accomplished in college, the WNBA, and on the international stage during her Hall of Fame career, Anne will also be remembered as a valued mentor and dear friend to so many in the game," Borders said. "On behalf of the WNBA, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Donovan family during this difficult time."

Photo: Head coach Anne Donovan of the United States points while taking on the Czech Republic during the women's preliminary basketball game at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)