Sports History

25 Years Ago...

University of Charleston Continues Dynasty in 1979-80

Standing: Coach Bud Francis; Asst. Coach Kathy Hackney; Debbie Chapman; Linda Deibel; Cathy Burk; Kim Hess;
Diane Bramble; Sue Mischler, Manager.
Sitting: Toni King; Pam Benson; Pat Smith; Karen Mays; Sue Goldcamp; Sue Klingel; Pam Conrad.

In terms of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – WVIAA at the time for women – few programs have ever rivaled the success of Coach Bud Francis and the University of Charleston Golden Eagles.

The 1979-80 Golden Eagles plowed through their schedule with precision. When the regular season was over, UC had a perfect 16-0 conference record, wins over both West Virginia University and Marshall, and a sixth consecutive league title.

The team was composed of six veterans and five freshmen. While Karen Mays and Cathy Burk earned all-conference honors, it was Sue Goldcamp and Linda Deibel who earned all-tournament nods as UC traveled to Buckhannon to take another tournament title. After grabbing an amazing 73 rebounds in an 83-49 tourney win over Concord – including 25 by Deibel – the Eagles cruised to a 96-76 victory over West Virginia Wesleyan for their third consecutive tourney crown. Their record at that point was 24-6.

Pat Smith was a senior among the veterans with Mays and Goldcamp, while Kim Hess joined Burk and Deibel as the junior leaders. Freshmen included Toni King, Pam Benson, Sue Klingel, Debbie Chapman and Diane Bramble.

UC did well enough in its sixth straight NAIA regional tourney, this one held in Green Bay, Wis., to advance to the national tournament. The women defeated Wright State, 99-80, with Mays’ 24 and Hess’ 21 leading five double-figure scorers. The Golden Eagles then fell to Dayton, 78-58. This time Smith earned All-Region honors with Mays.

Back in Charleston and Eddie King Gym as a host site, an 80-75 victory over Langston, Okla., moved UC into the Elite Eight but the win was followed by a hard-fought 75-68 loss to William Penn (Iowa) College, ending the Eagles’ Final Four bid.

The Eagles finished the season 27-8. Francis’ career record at that point was an amazing 143-37 (.795). Mays was named Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women All-American.

Burk (1,326), Mays (1,257) and Goldcamp (1,177) all finished with over 1,000 points in their brilliant careers.