Denise Monroe (2012) - Hall of Fame - Troy University Athletics

Denise Monroe

Induction:
2012

It is fitting that Denise Monroe, the only Troy University women’s basketball player to ever have her jersey retired, is also the first Troy women’s basketball player ever elected in the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame. Now, not only will no Trojan ever wear number 30 again, but fans visiting the Hall of Fame in Trojan Arena will always know why.

During her Troy State career, from 1977 to 1981, Monroe was responsible for a lot of firsts in the history of Troy women’s basketball; in fact, some of her accomplishments have yet to be duplicated in the 30 years since.

Monroe is Troy’s all-time leading scorer with 2,024 points and she is the only player in Troy basketball history (men and women) with over 2,000 career points. The Quitman, Ga., native averaged 17.9 points per game over her career.

She scored at least 400 points in all four of her seasons and topped the 600-point mark as a senior in 1980-81, earning second team All-America honors, making her the only All-American in Troy women’s basketball history.

Monroe chose an upstart Troy State program, over the likes of the University of Georgia, after a successful high school career in Quitman, Ga.

“I knew the level of skill that she possessed,” said Troy State coach at the time Joyce Sorrell. “Denise was the type of player that would make passes that the men couldn’t make.

“She was a very confident basketball player, but yet a good team player because she is so modest.”

Monroe was a four-time, first team AIAW All-Conference selection, making her the only four-time all-conference selection in the program’s history as well. She was also named to the AIAW All-Tournament team during all four of her seasons with the Trojans, including in 1980-81 when the Trojans won the AIAW State Tournament at Sartain Hall.

She was an efficient scorer, shooting 52.0 percent from the floor for her career, making a school record 823 field goals while also posting a school record 378 made free throws.

Monroe wasn’t just a dominate scorer for the Trojans, she was also a force on the glass as she averaged a double-double in all four of her seasons as she went on to post 1,311 rebounds during her career. That mark still sits second all-time in Troy history.

She also ranks among Troy’s all-time leaders in assists, steals and field goal percentage.

The Trojans posted an impressive 68-47 record during Monroe’s four seasons, but they were dominant inside Sartain Hall where Troy State posted a 43-11 mark, including the three-game run through the 1981 AIAW State Tournament in which the Trojans averaged over 93.0 points per contest.

“Because she was so talented, people respected Denise and she was the kind of player that held a team together,” Sorrell said. “She was a quiet and unassuming leader.”

For her efforts with the Trojans, Monroe was invited to try out for the 1980 United States Olympic Team.

“Denise is just a wonderful person and of course a superb basketball player,” Sorrell said.

Monroe took the first step into Troy women’s basketball immortality on Nov. 14, 1998 when her number 30 jersey was retired. She now resides in Quitman where she is a talented pianist and helps children in the area learn the game of basketball.