Monarchs

General Information

NCAA Division: Division I
Conference: Sun Belt Conference
Past Conferences: Mason-Dixon Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference South, Colonial Athletic Association, Conference USA
City: Norfolk, Virginia
Arena: Chartway Arena
NCAA Tournaments: 12 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2019)

Championships:

National Championships: None
Conference Titles: 10 (1969, 1983, 1986,1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2010, 2019) 

Team History

Old Dominion was founded in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary and the school didn’t waste any time getting into athletics. The first Old Dominion basketball team hit the court that same year, competing in the 1930-31 season. For the first six seasons, ODU played primarily against high school teams. Old Dominion played through World War II, although it had a reduced schedule between 1943-1946, but things were back to normal for the 1946-47 season.

The Monarchs played as independents until joining the NCAA Division II Mason-Dixon Conference, competing in their first Mason-Dixon Conference tournament in 1962-63. The team’s fortunes took a turn for the better when ODU brought in coach Sonny Allen for the 1965-66 season. After a rough 7-17 season, the Monarchs went 14-12 in Allen’s second season and posted a 19-7 record in his third year. ODU then posted three 20-win seasons in a row, advancing to the NCAA Division II championship game in 1971, but lost to Evansville in the finals.

The Monarchs missed the postseason in 1972 but returned in 1973-75, capturing the Division II championship with a 76–74 victory over New Orleans in 1975. Allen was lured away by SMU and Paul Webb took over the program, leading ODU to the Division II semifinals in 1976. Old Dominion made the jump to Division I for the 1976-77 season and joined the Eastern College Athletic Conference South, receiving an NIT invite its first season. ODU reached the NIT quarterfinals in 1979, beginning a run of seven straight seasons with postseason berths.

Old Dominion reached its first NCAA Tournament in 1980 and returned in 1982 and 1985. The Monarchs competed in the NIT in 1981, 1983 and 1984. In 1986, Old Dominion won its first NCAA Tournament game, defeating West Virginia in the first round. ODU had a dismal 6-22 season in 1986-87, but returned to the NIT in 1988.

The Monarchs were back in the NCAA Tournament in 1992, 1995 and 1997, while making several NIT appearances in the seasons the team didn’t reach the Big Dance. ODU had a brief lull of no postseason appearances, but that changed in 2005, when the Monarchs returned to the NCAA Tournament. The Monarchs have played in the NIT, CBI, CIT and NCAA Tournament since then, winning the CIT in 2009 and capturing the Vegas 16 title in the tournament’s only year in 2016. Old Dominion’s last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2019.

All-Time Records

• Points Scored

  Ronnie Valentine, 2,204
  Leo Anthony, 2,181
  Odell Hodge, 2,117

• Rebounds

  Randy Leddy, 1,153
  Mark West, 1,113
  Odell Hodge, 1,086

• Assists

  Frank Smith, 883
  Dave Twardzik, 830
  Brion Dunlap, 680

FAQs

How many Old Dominion players have played in the NBA?

The Monarchs have sent 10 players to the NBA, with Mark West having the longest career. West played in 1,090 games over 17 seasons. Kent Bazemore, Chris Gatling and Kenny Gattison also had careers that spanned 10 or more seasons.

How many first round draft picks have come from Old Dominion?

ODU has had two players drafted in the first round. The first was Chris Gatling, who was taken No. 16 overall by the Golden State Warriors in 1991. The second was Cal Bowdler,  selected No. 17 overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 1999. The Monarchs have had three players taken in the second round.

Why is Old Dominion called the Monarchs?

The athletic teams of the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary were known as the Braves for many years. The nickname Braves was used due to William & Mary using the Indians. When Old Dominion became its own school and separated from William & Mary, the name Monarchs was used to pay tribute to William III & Mary II, whose patronage helped found the College of William & Mary in Virginia in 1693.The two ruled England at the invitation of Parliament as “joint monarchs.”