Claxton, Tracy

Tracy Claxton led two teams to State and National championships. She led Wilbur Cross High School to three consecutive Class L state titles and in 1985, led Old Dominion University to the NCAA Division I Championship.

From 1976-1980, Claxton averaged 29.5 points and 27.6 rebounds at Wilbur Cross. She scored 2,420 points, the state record at the time. She led Cross to a 78-4 record, including 54 victories in a row; and scored 54 points in one game and had a single game rebound high of 46 and 45. Claxton was named a third team Parade All-American before taking her talent to Kansas.

After two outstanding seasons at Kansas, Claxton transferred to Old Dominion University. For most of the 1984-85 season, ODU was ranked No. 1 while compiling a 29-3 record and earning a berth in the NCAA Final Four. The 6-foot Claxton had been dominating at forward, averaging 14.8 points and 11.2 rebounds.

In the semifinal game against Northeast Louisiana, Clalxton succumbed to illness – the result of a measles outbreak at ODU. Somehow, she responded with 11 points and 17 rebounds in the 57-47 victory that put ODU in the NCAA title game against Georgia. Despite her illness, she finished with 17 points and 20 rebounds in the 70-65 victory and was voted the Most Valuable Player in the 1985 Final Four.

After presenting President Reagan with an Old Dominion team jacket, Claxton was honored in her home state when Governor William O’Neill declared June 7th, 1985 Tracy Claxton Day. She was awarded the CT Sports Writers’ Association Gold Key in recognition for her efforts.