Diane was born and raised in Stockton and attended local schools, graduating from Edison High School in 1972.
Diane participated in numerous sports and community athletic programs. As a member of the Stockton Trail Blazers Track and Field Team, she was ranked sixth in the nation in the Discus Throw and
eighth in the nation in the Shot Put for the twelveand thirteen-year-old age division.
In her senior year of high school, she was President of the Girls Athletic Association and played on the Girls Varsity Basketball, Volleyball and Softball team. She was also voted Edison High’s ‘’Valhalla Queen” (Edison High School Homecoming Queen).
In 1976, Diane graduated from Fresno State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology Correction. While attending Fresno State, she played on the women’s basketball team as a starting point guard for three years. Before trying out for the WNBA, she accepted employment with The California Department of Corrections. Diane worked for the Department of Corrections for 30 years and retired in 2006 as a Parole Agent III Supervisor.
Diane is the Founder of the Francine Gray Memorial Scholarship, member of the California Peace Officers Association, Edison High School Alumni, Edison High School Hall of Fame, African American Hall of Fame, and will be enshrined into the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame in November 2025.
She is also a contributor to numerous local charitable organizations throughout San Joaquin County.
