Joanne played Big Ten collegiate basketball at Northwestern University from 1984 – 1987. In 1990 she transitioned into coaching as an Assistant at Auburn University. In 1993 she became head Women’s team coach at the University of Maine. The team made six-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and won 9 conference championships. In 2001, she became head Women’s team coach at Michigan State University and led them to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2007, she was appointed head Women’s coach at Duke University. Joanne became the first Division I head coach to win a conference title in four different conferences, and the first Division I coach to be named conference coach of the year in four different conferences.