Stricken With Cancer, Pomona’s May Retires : Women’s basketball: After 20 years of success, coach says she wants to focus on fighting her disease.

Cal Poly Pomona’s Darlene May, the winningest coach in NCAA Division II women’s basketball, is suffering from cancer and will retire.

May’s condition was diagnosed as breast cancer, but has spread to her liver.

“(Because) of what has happened to my health recently, I realize that there is no possible way I can continue to do my job effectively,” May, 53, said in a statement released Thursday. “I cannot compete in two different games, and I need to fight this battle now.”

May, who plans to live in Oregon,had a 519-119 record in 20 seasons. She was voted national coach of the year by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Assn. twice and was California Collegiate Athletic Assn. coach of the year five times.

In two decades, all at Cal Poly Pomona, May won three national championships--in 1982, ’85 and ‘86--and at least a share of 18 conference titles. In the two seasons that her teams failed to win conference titles, Pomona was not affiliated with a league but had a combined 36-12 record. Her conference record is 195-8.

In 1984, May became the first woman to referee women’s basketball in the Olympic Games.

“In my eyes, she’s a legend,” said Paula Tezak, who played on two of the national championship teams. “She demands a lot from her athletes, but also, she would do anything she can for her players. She really cares about the players and the teams.”

Michele Kerzie, a junior guard for Pomona, said the team is trying to remain upbeat after learning about May’s illness.

“We’re all thinking positive thoughts,” Kerzie said. “She’s strong and stubborn--she’s not going to let this get to her.”

Assistant Paul Thomas will be interim coach for the 1994-95 season.