(2010) - One of the greatest players to don the UMass Lowell uniform, Diane DiRoma was instrumental in leading the women's basketball team to its most successful four-year period in the program's history.
A 5-foot-8 guard, DiRoma led the River Hawks to a 91-29 mark from 1993-97 - an average of 22.7 wins per year - while guiding them to three NCAA Tournament appearances and two New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) tournament and regular season championships.
"I am thrilled that Diane was selected to the UMass Lowell Hall of Fame," said Kathy O'Neil, head women's basketball coach about to open her 26th season. "Simply put, Diane DiRoma is a winner. Diane was a team player and she understood what this program needed to be successful."
A key player in reserve her first two seasons, DiRoma emerged a starter as a junior, averaging 15.8 points and 3.7 assists per game as the River Hawks went 20-8 overall and 16-4 in the NECC (second).
She helped lead UMass Lowell to a school-record 25-6 mark (16-2 NECC) as a senior. The River Hawks captured both the NECC tournament and regular season crowns and advanced to the NCAA Tournament second round.
DiRoma was named the NECC Player of the Year and a First Team standout in 1996 and 1997 and graduated with her name well-etched in the record book. Perhaps most impressive, she continues to hold the school record for games played in a career (124) - playing all but two games from 1993-97 - despite battling back from two major knee surgeries.
DiRoma also currently ranks seventh in free throws made in a career (222), eighth among career scorers (1,107), eighth in career field goals (412) and 10th in free throws attempted (315).
She also holds the best single game free throw percentage (1.000, 12-12) and shares the milestone for games played in a season (31).
