Second-year women’s hoops coach LaVonda Wagner thinks Oregon State is on the way to bigger things

LaVonda Wagner’s approach to life and basketball is infectious.

Monday evening at Pop’s Branding Iron Restaurant, Wagner passed on the zeal she has for her Oregon State women’s basketball program to a crowd of nearly 50 faithful at the Albany Beaver Huddle.

“I love people and I love my team,” said Wagner with an enthusiasm that belies the Beaver’s 3-11 Pac-10 mark. “I believe we have a phenomenal team. Our record is not an indication of how good we are.”

Wagner admitted that she would prefer the win-loss numbers to be turned around, but she also stressed that building a quality program takes time and dedication. And she believes that Oregon State will give her those tangibles.

“The things that need to be happening are happening,” she said. “No matter what the record is, this team is gonna thrive. It’s headed in the right direction.”

Wagner told the group that she has the way to build a solid program and she thinks Oregon State will give her the means.

“We have so many freshmen I knew it would be tough. I’ve learned a lot about being humble,” she smiled. “But I believe that you can be what you want to be and if that’s the way you feel then you can get in line with me.”

Wagner said she came to OSU because “it was a program I could put my signature on. I knew the only way to go was up.”

This is Wagner’s second season at Oregon State. The team finished 16-15 last season and played in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

Before arriving in Corvallis, Wagner was an assistant at Duke from 2002-2005, and at Illinois (1994-2002).

She began her coaching career at East Tennessee State, starting out as a volleyball coach before switching to basketball.

Wagner played both basketball and volleyball at Mars Hill College in North Carolina.

The coach acknowledged that her young team is taking its lumps but she also said that she expects “big things” in the future.

“When you work with young people and youth there is going to be inconsistency. It’s a roller coaster ride and what I can do is support them.”

“You set the bar at a certain height and even if you don’t jump over it, you’ve accomplished something,” she added.

Wagner noted that the Beaver athletic department is on board and looking to improve.

“I really think this department is going somewhere,” she said. “Needs create deeds. I tell my team, if you need something, then I’ll help you get there. I feel like I’m getting that kind of support as well.”

Competitive by nature, Wagner told the Beaver Huddle that her team has achieved a lot despite its record.

“We were picked to finish last — maybe not win a game — and we’ve not only won, we’ve played very well against some very good teams.”

“Our freshmen have accepted their roles and they have worked hard to get better.”

Ultimately she said her program is about putting student athletes “out in the world with confidence and their heads held high.”

“I’m ambitious, competitive and enthusiastic and I believe in the future of the program,” she said. “We’ve got some people signed and coming in who will help us.”

What else will help improve the Beaver program?

Wagner noted that eventually a new practice facility would make things easier and help in her recruiting.

For now she let the huddle members know that she was where she wanted to be.

“I’ll get it done. I’m living my dream,” she emphasized. “This program belongs to the girls and they need to take ownership of it. I’m the CEO. I want them and you to continue to expect big things.”

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

NEXT: Stanford (21-4, 13-1 Pac-10) at Oregon State (8-15, 3-11), 7 p.m. Thursday, KLOO (1340 AM).