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ALUMNI STORIES: DARLENE MAY

DARLENE MAY

Darlene May was an exceptional athlete at Fullerton College playing both softball and basketball for FC Hall of Fame inductee Margo Davis from 1962-63.

After Fullerton, Coach May got the ball rolling for the Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball program and guided the Broncos to a 519-119 overall record and three NCAA Division II titles in 1982, 1985 and 1986. The Broncos also finished second in the nation three times and took third once during her tenure (1974-94) May retired after the 1993-94 season, concluding a remarkable 20-year career. May’s teams averaged 26 wins per season, and never had a losing season winning more than 20 games in each of her final 19 seasons.

Darlene coached 16 All-Americans, four of whom were named Division II National Players of the Year.

Coach May was forced to retire following the 1994 season after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. The Cal Poly Pomona campus gymnasium where her dynasty began was renamed “Darlene May Gymnasium” in January 1996. She passed away on November 15, 1996.

Coach May leaves a legacy that may never be equaled; a winning percentage of .813, an overall win/loss record of 519-119, and a conference record of 199-8 (96%). At the time of her death, she was the winningest coach in Division II history