SMU women’s head basketball coach Rhonda Rompola established herself as the new leader for most career wins in SMU basketball after defeating the Southern Miss Golden Eagles last weekend. Sunday’s 85-72 victory, broadcast on national television, secured Rompola’s 300th career win. In doing so, she surpassed former men’s basketball head coach E.O. “Doc” Hayes.
Rompola tied Hayes for the record after reaching her 299th career win in a 90-62 victory over the University of Central Florida Friday night in Moody Coliseum. Prior to Sunday’s game, SMU senior guard Katie Gross explained, “it’s great that she can beat her record on national TV . . . being at home, on your floor, with your fans.”
In anticipation of Rompola’s achievement, sophomore guard Jillian Samuels explained, “I don’t think she was too focused on 300 wins. It meant a lot because we knew this game was important to her.”
When asked about what the record meant to her personally, Rompola explained, “What is special about 300 wins is they all came here at SMU.”
Rompola, an SMU grad, is now in the middle of her 17th season as head coach for the Mustangs. Currently posting a 12-4 overall record, and 2-1 record in Conference USA play, Rompola feels a special bond to the athletes. “I’ve got a group of seniors, and a whole team that’s really special,” said Rompola. “My coaches have been with me for so long, too. Lisa Dark has been with me for every one of them, and Deneen Parker and Karen Blair have been there for a lot of them, too.”
Since arriving on the Hilltop in 1991 to become the head coach, Rompola has led SMU to a 16-season winning percentage streak. During this time she has taken the Mustangs to their first postseason tournament appearance in school history.
Rompola clinched SMU’s first conference championship in the 1998-99 season. She led the Mustangs to third place in their first year as members of Conference USA in the 2005-06 season.
Rompola will strive for win 301 when the Mustangs hit the road again to take on East Carolina followed by Marshall. The Mustangs return home from their two game road stand before returning to Moody Coliseum to host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Jan. 26.
