Whitley Auditorium was filled with family and friends of the late Ann-Marie Lashley, associate head women's basketball coach, who died Nov. 10. Read this note for details of the service...
The service, which was led by Chaplain Richard McBride, was a celebration of Lashley’s life. McBride noted that Lashley was fond of the statement “In the race to be better or best, do not miss the joy of being.”
He said Lashley had an incredible spirit, and faced her battle with cancer with great strength. “She knew that it is spirit that keeps us in the game,” McBride said. “She lost her courageous battle with cancer, but that is the last time we will use the word “lost” in relation to Ann. She was in every other way a winner. She chose courage and kept hope alive.”
Athletics director Alan White said Lashley truly believed that life is good, and strived to live life to the fullest. “Her example is truly her legacy. We would honor her by following her example,” White said.
Lashley’s colleague Resa Walch composed this statement on behalf of the Elon community: Daughter, coach, athlete, friend, sister, aunt, seeker of meaning and purpose. Ann navigated life with class, intelligence, grace and beauty. She exemplified courage, passion and strength. Ann demonstrated a quiet zeal for loving, laughing and learning that leaves an indelible impression on our hearts. Her strong presence and vigor in creating a life well-lived will remain forever a source of comfort for all who knew her and loved her.
Memorials may be made to the Elon Athletics Foundation or the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Development and Communications, DUMC-3828, Durham, N.C. 27710 for cancer research in memory of Lashley.
Lashley, who came to Elon for the 1994-95 season, entered her 12th year at Elon this fall. She joined the Phoenix staff with head coach Brenda Paul after serving four years as her assistant coach at Georgia State University. In addition to her coaching experience at Georgia State, Lashley also spent a year (1989-90) as an assistant at Georgia Tech, as well as working on Paul’s staff at Mississippi State University during the 1988-89 campaign as a student assistant coach and undergraduate assistant for athletic academic services.
Following the 2002-03 season, Lashley was named one of the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year Award recipients. The award is given to assistant coaches to recognize their otherwise unheralded behind-the-scenes efforts to make a program successful. She was one of only eight North Carolina recipients, and the only one of those eight at a Division I institution.
During her playing days, Lashley was a four-year starter for the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs. She averaged 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds during her senior season, leading Mississippi State to a program-best 19-13 finish, for its fourth winning season ever and a berth in the NIT. Lashley ended her career as the school’s all-time leading rebounder while ranking second in career field goal percentage, fourth in free throws made and sixth in scoring with over 1,000 points.
Lashley worked with USA Basketball in several different capacities. She served as the site coordinator for the 1991 U.S. Olympic Festival South Regional Trials, hosted in Atlanta by Georgia State, and was a member of the support staff at both the U.S. National Team Trials and the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1991.
A native of Coventry, England, Lashley was a member of the English National Basketball Team from 1981-88. She competed for Great Britain on the World University Games team in 1985 and 1987, and the Olympic Team in 1988.
A 1989 honors graduate from Mississippi State, Lashley was named Academic All-Southeastern Conference twice and earned her undergraduate degree in biological engineering. She also holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Georgia State.
Lashley is survived by her parents, Keith and Ettie, her brother, Brian, and her nephews, Bradley and Courtney.