Brunswick Community College names Onya Gardner head women’s basketball coach

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick Community College has named Onya Gardner as the new head coach of its women’s basketball program.

Gardner, a Brunswick County native, has worked at the college for 18 years. Since joining BCC in 2007, she has held several leadership positions, including administrative assistant, internal auditor, dean and, most recently, associate vice president of continuing education and workforce development.

On top of this, Gardner has experience with BCC Athletics. Gardner served as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team from 2016 to 2019 and has been a team mentor since 2020.

“I am taking this on to help create opportunities for young women both on and off the court,” Gardner said in a news release. “My vision for the team is to build a program that develops women of character who graduate, lead, serve, and compete with excellence and respect.”

Gardner takes over the program following a record-setting 2026 season in which the Dolphins advanced to the Region Semifinals.

“Coach Gardner has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our students and our community throughout her career at BCC,” Athletics Director Robbie Allen said in the release. “Her passion for mentorship, leadership, and student achievement makes her an outstanding choice to lead our women’s basketball program.”

According to the college, Gardner will focus on continuing the program’s recent success while emphasizing academic achievement, leadership, personal growth and competitive excellence.

Brunswick Community College sponsors four athletic programs — baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and softball — with more than 100 student-athletes competing at the Division I and II levels of the National Junior College Athletic Association.