Hall of Fame
Donna was introduced to the game of basketball during middle school. It was clear that she had talent but at the time could not have predicted just how much the sport would impact her life. As a 3-year starter at White Plains HS, she was a standout player who only got better and better for the Tigers. Her championship pedigree was earned early as her team won the State Championship for White Plains in 1979. Donna was also a cheerleader for the football team each year before the basketball season started.
Recruited to WCC by Sports Hall of Famer Tony Fiorenza, she was plugged into a talented lineup playing forward and at times, center. Donna was shy at first but found a home at WCC and settled into college life nicely. During her freshman year she averaged over 15 points and 12 rebounds per game, helping the team to their first ever Mid-Hudson Conference title.
Moving into her sophomore year there was a coaching change as Fiorenza was replaced by WCC Sports Hall of Famer, Ray Del Maestro. Coach Del Maestro recruited hard and had a squad of players ready to take Region 15 by storm in the 82-83 season. Before long, however, the team had dwindled down to just 6 players and at one point the program pondered cancelling the season and playing out the year as an intramural team. But the six remaining members insisted on staying the course and remaining varsity. And was it ever the right decision. The Vikings ended the year with a 20-4 overall record. They took home a second Mid-Hudson Conference and the school’s first Region 15 Championship. This earned them a bid to the 24 team NJCAA Tournament. With just the six dedicated players, they entered as the smallest squad among them.
Donna finished the season averaging nearly 30 points per game and she ranked #6 in the country in rebounding. She feels that her experience at WCC and on the team made her a stronger person and helped developed her as a coach.
After her sophomore year she transferred to Marist College, where she played for a year. She then moved back to the area and transferred to Mercy College, finishing out her college career in playing her senior season there. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to play throughout her time in college and credits the foundation she built at Westchester as a key component to her success.
After college, she began working for the City of White Plains 1987 as a Bookkeeper in Water Department. She has continued serving White Plains to this day as her career has now spanned over 35 years. For a while she stayed involved in basketball coaching both youth girls and boys with the First Lady & President’s travel basketball teams. Donna continues to live in White Plains, with her husband Joe, and her children Tasia, Talise, Talen, Tayahni, and her Granddaughter Riley.
