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Donna Papa enters her 19th season as head coach of the Tar Heels. Papa took UNC back to the NCAA post-season in 2003 for the second time in three seasons. She guided the Tar Heels to an 40-22-1 season and a 4-3 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Carolina finished second in the ACC during the regular season and reached the 40-win plateau for the fifth time in school history (fourth since moving to fastpitch in 1984). She eclipsed the 600 career-win plateau at UNC this past season on Feb. 19, 2003 versus UNC Wilmington and stands at 634-381-4 in 18 seasons. Overall, she has been coaching for 20 seasons and stands at 663-396-4. Papa led Carolina to its 15th winning season, and fifth straight, in 2002. The Tar Heels finished 34-30, becoming the 13th UNC squad to surpass 30 wins in her illustrious career at North Carolina. UNC finished fourth in the regular-season standings, but made a run in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, ending up in the title game for the second consecutive season. The Tar Heels fell in the championship game, 6-2, to Georgia Tech as the Yellow Jackets and Florida State went on to represent the ACC in the NCAA Tournament. In 2001, Papa realized two of her career-long goals as UNC defeated Florida State 4-1 to win the 2001 Atlantic Coast Conference championship, the first in program history. Later on that evening, Carolina was announced as one of 48 teams in the 2001 NCAA Tournament field. Papa has been named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year three times, in 1996, 1998 and 2000. Carolina has finished atop the ACC regular-season standings on four occasions since 1992, the last one coming in 2000. Since coming to Chapel Hill in 1985, Papa has coached All-America players on seven occasions and All-Southeast Region players on 38. Theresa Buscemi was the first Tar Heel to earn All-America honors when she was named to the third team in 1992. Christine Kubin earned first-team honors in 1996 and Brandy Arthur followed in 1998. Kelly Ramsey was named to the third team in 2000, Tiffany Tolleson was named a third team member in 2002 and 2003, while Jaclyn Holden, now a sophomore, became the first Tar Heel freshman to earn the honor being named to the third team in 2003. UNC players who have earned first-team All-Southeast Region honors are Natalie Anter (1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002), Brandy Arthur (1995, ‘98), Sonya Bright (1993), Theresa Buscemi (1992), Crystal Henderson (1999), Jaclyn Holden (2003), Jen Klesaris (2000), Christine Kubin (1996), Tracey Narwid (1989, ‘90), Maria Powers (1986), Kelly Ramsey (2000), Michelle Semmes (2000), Lorin Slade (1996), Beverly Smith (1994) and Tiffany Tolleson (2002 and 2003). In addition to success on the field, Papa’s program is known for excellence in the classroom. Anna Tharrington was named Verizon Academic All-America second team in 2003. Tharrington and Sarah Young earned NFCA Scholar-Athlete All-America in 2002 and Young was also an NFCA All-America honoree in 2001. Kubin was a GTE Academic All-America in 1995 and ‘96 and Beth Olen earned Academic All-District III honors in 2000 and ’01. Other Tar Heels who have earned spots on the All-District team are Colleen Lefferts (1999), Kubin (1994), Lynnae Flynn (1993), Julie O’Shields (1992), and Jenny Reed (1989). Five UNC softball players earned ACC Honor Roll distinction during the 2001-02 school year–Ashley Allen, Rosie Gustavson, Quinn Porter, Tharrington and Young. Papa also has been a driving force behind the construction of the new UNC Softball Complex, where the Tar Heels began play in 2002. It features many player-friendly innovations and upon its completion will be among the finest college facilities in the country. Prior to arriving in Chapel Hill, Papa spent two seasons as head volleyball and softball coach at Susquehanna University. Her 1985 softball squad compiled a 16-8 record, won its conference division and qualified for the Middle Atlantic Conference Championship. Papa’s duties at Susquehanna also included working as the women’s intramural coordinator, a physical education instructor and the school’s primary recruiter for women’s athletics. She served as an assistant softball coach at St. John’s University from 1981-83 after spending one year as an assistant coach at UNC-Greensboro while working toward a master’s degree in physical education. Papa earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Connecticut in 1979. She played four seasons of softball for the Huskies and was co-captain her junior and senior seasons. Papa’s playing career encompassed stints with ASA Major Fast Pitch teams including the Franklin Coronets (West Haven, Conn.) and the Waterford (Conn.) Mariners. As a Mariners outfielder, she helped the team to a 12th place finish in the 1982 ASA national tournament. A respected clinician, Papa conducts Carolina softball camps and clinics throughout the year. She has served on the Louisville Slugger Advisory Board since 1994 and had been a member of the Women’s Pro Softball League Advisory Board. She has also served on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Committee and the NCAA All-Region Committee. In 2003, she is a member of the NFCA Top 25 Selection Committee. Papa was recently recognized by the NFCA and was presented with the Victory Club Award for reaching the 600 win milestone last season. Born March 16, 1956, in Waterbury, Conn., she is a recent recipient of the Olympian Award, presented by the Olympian Club of Waterbury in recognition of outstanding achievement in athletics.
* - at Susquehanna University ! - 1st year of Atlantic Coast Conference competition ^ - Years Tar Heels reached the NCAA post-season |
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