Inductee Details

Conner was named OU’s first female Director of Athletics in 2006. Prior to being appointed at that position, she served as the Lady Braves head basketball coach for 11 years. She has been an associate professor in the OU Physical Education department and taught in the Liberal Arts Studies Program. Prior to joining Ottawa University, Conner was the assistant varsity basketball coach at Park Hill (KS) High School, assistant basketball coach at William Jewell College (MO), and fitness instructor at Penn Valley Community College (MO). Conner was vice chair of the KCAC for two years (2008-09), was the KCAC chair/president, and was named KCAC Athletic Director of the Year.

As head women’s basketball coach, Conner had a record-breaking 2006-07 season before moving to her new role. She finished as the most winning coach in Lady Braves history with 162 victories. She earned the KBCA Women’s College Basketball Coach of the Year award in 2003-04 and again in 2006-07. In 2004, 2006 and 2007, Conner led the Lady Braves to the KCAC Basketball Tournament Championship and to the NAIA Division II National Tournament. She also helped OU to its first ‘Sweet 16’ appearance at the NAIA National Tournament in 2007.

Conner was a four-year letter winner on the basketball court for the William Jewell College Cardinals. She earned HAAC Player of the Year honors in 1991 and is the fourth all-time career scorer (1,893) in program history. Conner also played softball and soccer for WJC and was named William Jewell Athlete of the Year twice. She was inducted into William Jewell’s Hall-of-Fame in 2004.