Courtesy photo
Donna Herran Inducted into NJCAA Hall of Fame
National Junior College Athletic Association
Longtime UCNJ Coach Donna Herran of Cranford, was named an inaugural inductee into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIX Hall of Fame. Herran became assistant coach of the women’s basketball team in 1975 and went on to serve as head coach from 1980 through 1999.
Coach Herran accomplished much during her time at UCNJ. Under her leadership, the team accrued 537 wins and had five National Tournament appearances. During her first season, the team won the first UCNJ Garden State Athletic Conference, Region XIX Conference Championships, and a bid for the 1976 National Tournament held in Kansas. On six occasions, she was named the NJCAA Region XIX Coach of the Year. In honor of Herran’s many contributions to the Region, NJCAA Region XIX presents a deserving coach each year with the “Donna Herran Coach of the Year Award.”
In 1996 and 1997, she was named both the NJCAA National District Coach of the Year and received the Converse Coach of the Year award. Herran was inducted into UCNJ’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and received the New Jersey National Girls and Women in Sports Award. During her tenure UCNJ was consistently ranked in Defense on a National level. UCNJ had numerous All-Americans, All-Region XIX and All Garden State players honored. Kathy Penczak, All-America from Roselle, NJ went on to play for the St. Louis Streak Womens Professional Basketball League and T.C Flynn. Morris, All America also from Roselle, NJ was selected to try for for the 1980 Olympic Team. Nancy Foster of Union, NJ was chosen as WBCA Kodak All-America 1st Team. Their numbers #10 and #44 are retired. Defense was the Lady Owls trademark and they were consistently in the national polls for defensive average. A majority of the Lady Owls either graduated from UCNJ or transferred to a Senior College or University to finish their education. Herran also served WBCA Women’s Basketball Kodak All America Committee and Coach of the Year National Committees. She credits her success to Fred Perry, former Athletic Director and Coach. Herran is a graduate of UCNJ and Caldwell University.
“I am honored to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Coach Herran on this well-deserved recognition. She has been a dedicated member of the College community for many years, from coaching to her current membership on the College’s Board of Governors. Her dedication to the College and presence in the UCNJ community is admirable. This recognition is a testament to her contributions both on and off the basketball court, and we are proud to celebrate this achievement,” stated UCNJ Board of Trustee’s Chair Victor M. Richel.
