Southern Connecticut State University Athletics

Joan Van Ness, ’80, ranks among Southern’s all-time women’s basketball scorers with 1,272 points and holds the Owls’ record for assists in a season with 197 in 1976-77. A Wade Trophy finalist, Van Ness received the Jack Lackman Trophy for her achievements as a scholar-athlete and was a finalist in the Olympic trials. Van Ness also excelled at softball and helped the Raybestos Brakettes capture Amateur Softball Association national titles in 1976, 1977 and 1979. She was a member of the USA National team, which won a gold medal at the Pan American Games.