WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – West Liberty University proudly continues its Timeless Toppers Alumni Spotlight series, celebrating former Hilltopper student-athletes who continue to lead, inspire, and represent WLU in their professional and personal lives.
This week's feature shines on women's basketball standout Joanna Bernabei-McNamee, a 1997 graduate who is now the head women's basketball coach at Boston College.
A Division II All-American and four-time first-team All-WVIAC selection, Bernabei-McNamee remains one of the most decorated players in program history. She still tops the Hilltopper record book in career assists (1,107) and steals (321), ranks 15th in career points (1,317), and was inducted into the WLU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002. She also set all-time NCAA Division II records for single-game assists (24), career assists (1,107), assists per game (9.54), and freshman assists per game (8.85) – marks that remained untouched more than 25 years after her playing career ended.
Interestingly, during her four years at West Liberty, Bernabei-McNamee never thought about coaching. Her plan was to attend pharmacy school after graduation. That changed after her final game, when she realized she wanted to stay connected to basketball – a decision that ultimately shaped the course of her professional life.
Sport at West Liberty: Basketball:
Years Attended: 1993–1997
Current Role: Head Women's Basketball Coach, Boston College
Favorite West Liberty Memories:
Some of Bernabei-McNamee's fondest memories came away from the court – sharing dinners with her chemistry professor, Dr. Clampitt, and his family, and working with her exercise physiology professor, Dr. Seifert, who helped design offseason workouts for her and her teammates.
On the court, she cherished the relentless work ethic of her team, the daily push to improve, and the "underdog mentality" that fueled their grit. Playing in Blatnik Hall and embracing that chip on her shoulder remain defining moments from her time as a Hilltopper.
Advice to Current WLU Athletes:
Bernabei-McNamee urges current Hilltoppers to control their mindset, stay steady through highs and lows, and commit fully to their goals without always defaulting to a "Plan B." She believes in manifesting the positive, creating your own luck through hard work, and blazing your own trail. "Great things happen to good people who work really hard," she says through her actions and example. She also encourages athletes to sit toward the front, make connections, and get to know their coaches as real people.
What It Means to Be a Hilltopper Alumna:
For Bernabei-McNamee, being a West Liberty graduate comes with immense pride. She credits WLU with shaping her leadership skills and admires the campus community's investment in helping student-athletes grow both on and off the court. Staying humble and remembering where she came from remain central to her approach.
Most Influential Coaches and Teammates:
She cites Coach Lynn Ullom as a major influence on both her life and coaching career. Former teammates Angela Fowler and Christy Peabody also hold a special place in her heart – lifelong friends bonded through the sisterhood of basketball.
