COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Former Cougar coach Daugherty passes away

From news services

PULLMAN – Former Washington State women's basketball coach June Daugherty, who coached the Cougars from 2007-18, passed away Monday evening at her home in Boise. Daugherty was 64.

“The Washington State family was saddened to hear of the passing of June and our heartfelt condolences go out to her husband Mike, and kids Doc and Bre,” Washington State Athletic Director Pat Chun said. “June’s impact on women’s collegiate basketball in the Pacific Northwest is unmatched and we join the University of Washington and Boise State in recognizing all she did to grow the sport. Throughout her career, she fought tirelessly for her players, her teams and her community, and she will be missed.”

Daugherty coached more than 800 games and served as a head coach for 29 seasons with stops at Boise State (1989-96) and Washington (1996-2007) before coaching the Cougars for 11 seasons (2007-18). Daugherty went 130-217 overall at WSU and guided the Cougars to the WNIT postseason tournament three times including a run into the WNIT semifinal round in 2017.

Daugherty, whose Cougars reached the Pac-12 Conference Tournament semifinals two times, coached 33 All-Pac-12 Conference selections, 36 all-academic student-athletes, She recruited and coached Washington State’s all-time leading scorer Borislava Hristova and saw Lia Galdeira selected No. 19 overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2016 WNBA Draft as the first player drafted in program history.

Daugherty began her head coaching career at Boise State, where she coached for seven years (1989-96) and compiled a record of 123-74 (73-31 Big Sky Conference). Under her watch, the Broncos not only made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, but achieved their first national ranking and won their first regular season conference title. In 1992, the Broncos won the Big Sky regular season championship, and in 1994 they shared the conference crown with Montana and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. At the conclusion of the 1993-94 season, Daugherty was named Big Sky Co-Coach of the Year.

After turning things around at Boise State, Daugherty continued her success at Washington, where she coached for 11 seasons. After finishing ninth in the Pac-10 in 2000, Daugherty led the Huskies to their first conference title since 1990, the greatest turnaround in conference history. She led Washington to nine postseason appearances in 11 seasons — six NCAA Tournament appearances and three WNIT appearances — and led the Huskies all the way to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Elite Eight in 2001.

Daugherty’s basketball family was involved not only in providing everything necessary to achieve academic excellence, but also the means to becoming involved in community service. Daugherty led by example, speaking at meetings for the Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis and for many women’s groups. A major advocate for healthy heart awareness, Daugherty was named the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association’s National Coach of the Year in 2008.

Daugherty played collegiate basketball at Ohio State from 1974-78, where she led the Buckeyes to the Big Ten Championship in 1977 and 1978. She still ranks amongst the school’s top 25 in career scoring with 1,137 points, fifth in career rebounds (829), was tied for 17th in career field goals made (500) and shared the single-game school record for blocked shots (12 against Michigan State in 1976). At the conclusion of her senior season, she earned first-team All-America honors and was a Wade Trophy finalist the first year the award was presented.

Daugherty is survived by her husband Mike and children Doc and Breanne.