LBCC Announces Hire of New Women’s Basketball Coach
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| Debbie Herrold |
The 53-year-old Herrold, of Tangent, held this same position in the past, serving as head women’s basketball coach for LBCC from 1987 to 1993. In 1991, Herrold’s team placed fifth in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College tournament, and in 1999, she was inducted into the NWAACC Hall of Fame.
Herrold has been a health and physical education instructor at LBCC for 28 years, and served as assistant coach for the college women’s basketball, cross-country and track teams.
“I am humbled and excited to be given the opportunity to help start-up the return of the LBCC women’s basketball program,” said Herrold. “I have a great desire for this program to succeed, having been an athlete myself at LBCC and having prior experience as head coach. My 28 years as a faculty member in the Health and Human Performance division will also give me experience in helping our future student athletes to be successful in reaching their academic goals as well.”
The college will hold a welcome reception for Herrold Friday, April 10 at 3 p.m. in the LBCC Activities Center gym, Albany campus.
LBCC announced plans to re-establish its women’s basketball program last spring, with an emphasis on the “student” in student athlete. Player recruitment will begin in the coming months, with team play starting in the 2015-16 intercollegiate basketball season.
Herrold’s coaching experience also includes stints as assistant basketball coach for Western Oregon University and the University of Wyoming, coaching for high school, junior-high and elementary level teams, and volunteer coaching for both the Corvallis and Albany Boys and Girls Clubs. Her regional stats include 35 wins to 33 losses, with overall stats of 67 wins to 71 losses.
A three-sport athlete, Herrold twice-earned All-OCCAA honors in basketball, and was named team MVP in basketball and track. She also competed in the NJCAA national track meet in the heptathlon and javelin, played professional basketball in Australia and Division II community college basketball.
LBCC’s 1980 Women’s Basketball team, which Herrold was a member, was inducted into the NWAC Hall of Fame in 2005.
Herrold has a master’s degree in physical education from Oregon State University and a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Oregon University.
The decision to re-establish the program came after months of work with community members to create a program structure that fosters high completion rates among student athletes and generates significant involvement of the community in supporting the program.
The recommendation to reinstate the program was presented to LBCC President Greg Hamann by the college Athletics Advisory Board. LBCC’s athletic programs are committed to student-athlete scholarship and completion of academic goals, with an expectation that players will accomplish a 50 percent completion rate and a high rate of transfer to four-year institutions.
LBCC athletics continues to rely on community involvement and support of its athletics teams. Community members who have an interest in getting involved as a supporter should contact LBCC Athletic Director Randy Falk at 541-917-4245.
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