Program History

Women's Basketball at De Anza College: 1974-Present

De Anza College began Intercollegiate Women's Basketball competition in 1974. Sharon Chatman, our first Women's Basketball Coach, started a winning tradition for the Lady Dons. Our Women's Basketball program has continued to be one of the most successful women’s programs in the state of California. Coach Chatman’s (1974-76) teams went 61-3 the first two years, claiming two conference titles and two state championships. Following those two winning seasons, Coach Chatman was hired at San Jose State.

Coach Debi Schafer (1976-86) took over the Lady Dons team and didn't miss a beat. Coach Schafer compiled an impressive 254 wins against just 51 losses, an astonishing 84% winning percentage. De Anza became recognized as a Northern California power.

From 1987-2003, Head Coach Mike Gervasoni added to the program's already impressive history of success. Under his leadership, the Lady Dons maintained an amazing record of 360-164, including 8 conference championships.

During the 2004-05 season, current Head Coach, Arden Kragalott, took over the helm of a Lady Dons team that had struggled the previous season. Since then, Coach Kragalott has turned the program back around. With a 23-8 record in the 2006-07 season, the Lady Dons finished a strong, second place in league and earned a spot in the Nor Cal playoffs.

The De Anza College Women's Basketball program has more conference titles, four-year transfer players, and state playoff teams, than any other Northern California community college.

Overall Record: 782-319

Conferences Titles: BACAWA—3, Golden Gate—6, Coast Conference—9

All-Conference Players: 95

Conference MVP: BACAWA—3, Golden Gate—5, Coast Conference—7

State Tournament Appearances: (Elite 8) 4; (State Tournament Runner-up 1985).

All-Region Players: 20

All-State Players: 11

Four-Year Transfer Players: 89

Dean's List: 225 (GPA 3.0)

Scholar Athletes: 33 (13 players with 4.0 GPA; 28 above 3.5 GPA)