Bio

Donna (Fandel) Wilfong (78) was a three-year member of the women’s basketball and volleyball teams at Eastern Nazarene after transferring from Northeastern University.

She averaged 23 points and 17 rebounds in her career with the Crusaders on the basketball court. Wilfong helped lead Eastern Nazarene to the Women’s Christian College Tournament title in her junior year. That year, the Crusaders headed into the postseason ranked fourth in the state of Massachusetts. Eastern Nazarene defeated the University of Lowell in the opening round 51-50 before losing the next game to finish third.

A highlight of Wilfong’s senior season was a 20-point, 17-rebound performance in a victory over Harvard. Eastern Nazarene went on to finish the season with only one loss en route to capturing the Massachusetts State Tournament championship.

Prior to her arrival at Eastern Nazarene, Wilfong had never played volleyball but learned the game quickly. She played for current Eastern Nazarene Athletic Director Dr. Nancy Detwiler. Detwiler credits Wilfong for being “a dominant force at the net and a consistent, accurate server.”

In a closely-contested match against Wellesley, Wilfong rattled off seven consecutive points to secure the win.

In 1977, she helped the Crusaders claim wins over such schools as Boston College, Holy Cross, Northeastern and the University of Rhode Island. Wilfong led Eastern Nazarene to capturing the MAIAW Volleyball Championship in 1977. The Crusaders finished the 1977 campaign with an 18-4 record after winning 15 straight matches.

Wilfong was selected as the 1977-78 Eastern Nazarene Woman Athlete of the Year.