Former Hawk Talks about International Experience

Africa was a life changing and eye opening experience for me! Going into this trip, Tanika (former Hartford player and Assistant Coach) didn't give me too much information because she wanted me to have my own experience. Though all of her stories from having gone three times to various countries were quite hysterical; she had me nervous but also anxious to get on the flight as soon as possible to see what it was she was talking about!

Sierra Leon was beautiful in ways that I couldn't have ever imagined. But the one thing I wasn't prepared for was immediately being put up against challenges of running camp that I never thought would be an issue. For instance, going to a different country in which basketball isn't their main sport, finding an indoor court was impossible. This was because one simply didn't exist! So improvising became my greatest skill and teaching the girls basketball without a hoop became something that was quite normal for me.

Despite teaching the girls everything there was to learn without having them shoot at a basket until Thursday of camp, it was such a fun experience simply because of their desire to learn and master the game of basketball. They constantly wanted me showing them new moves, how to dribble properly, what a defensive stance really looked like and what it meant to really push themselves to the next level. These girls quickly learned what the word hustle meant and really tried their best to meet the standard in which we held them to!

Being that these girls had never touched a basketball prior to this experience, what they knew at the end of the week and could physically do compared to the first day of camp, it was evident that we were against all odds and managed to come out on top! They went away with a love for the game of basketball!

A few things in between camp that were amazing and unforgettable were the side trips that I got to take while there. These consisted of being able to meet the president of Sierra Leon, his wife and also the Vice President and his wife. On one occasion we received an invitation to the First Ladies home. She wanted to formally thank us for coming to the country and empowering women in such a positive and educational way.

This was a trip and group of young women that I will never forget and who all have had a major impact on my life. F3B has given me an experience and opportunity that was truly amazing and I am so grateful for. This was a trip of a lifetime and I will always look back with fond memories that make me both laugh and cry. Sierra Leon and Senegal are gorgeous places that have taught me so much and I will be forever changed by the experience.

Keyokah

A New Summer Gig

I know it's been awhile since I wrote a blog so I figured it was time to check in. 

 

First of all, I can't believe it's almost June!  This spring has flown by.  We ended our postseason workouts the first week of May so our players could prepare for final exams.  They all left campus by mid-May and then our lone senior, Keyokah Mars-Garrick, graduated on May 20th. 

 

This month I've seen many of my son's teeball games, went to Boston for America East meetings and then back up for a Red Sox game (boo- go Yankees!), we had our first annual Men's and Women's Golf tournament at Hartford Golf Club (which was a huge success) and I even broadcasted my first TV game for the CT Sun.  I'm not sure how I got roped into this broadcasting gig and I'll have to admit I was a little nervous for my first one, but overall it was a lot of fun.  The play by play man, Bob, made it really smooth and it was easy to talk about something I know so much about- basketball!  I have a few more games this summer (July 1, September 9 & 23)and hope to get better each time I do it.  

 

So as May winds down, I'm preparing for my sister's wedding this weekend (fingers crossed for sun!) and head into June hoping for lots of relaxing days by the pool with my family.  Then it will be out recruiting again in July! 

 

Have a great summer.

Coach Rizzotti

 

Check out a replay of Coach Rizzotti's first television broadcast appearance on CPTV Sports. Check your local listings or http://www.cptvsports.org/content/broadcast-schedule for the CT Sun vs. NY Liberty re-broadcast.

 

Picture Day

The Hawks women's basketball team held its picture day on October 6. Check out this behind-the-scenes look at the Hawks stepping in front of the cameras.

Where Are They Now: Erica Beverly (October 3, 2011)

The newest feature on the Hartford Hawks Women’s Basketball Blog returns for its first installment of the 2011-12 season. The Where Are They Now feature will be updated every few weeks with an update from a former member of the Hartford women’s basketball team. Cedric Quackenbush, women’s basketball Director of Operations, will catch up with former Hawks and provide an update on their life after basketball. If you have a question or a possible topic for a future Where Are They Now feature, email athletics@hartford.edu.

Where Are They Now: Erica Beverly (October 3, 2011)

Beverly played for the Hawks from 2005-2010 and finished her career the only basketball player in Hartford history to amass 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.  After serving as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Hawks last season and recovering from a torn ACL, the 2005-2006 America East Rookie of the Year and 2009-2010 America East Defensive Player of the Year is now lacing up her sneakers while playing professionally in Switzerland.  She started her professional playing career this past summer while playing for the Southern Peninsula Sharks in Australia.

For starters, I was very blessed to have started my professional career in Australia. It was a crazy and fast decision to go there but I thank God I was given the opportunity. Playing in Australia was awesome! The culture was very different from the United States. The kind hearted and laid back people of the land were just so welcoming that it made my stay there very easy. My coaches and teammates were the best, they made me fit in. Australia not only gave me confidence but it also got me started on my on-court physical strength since my injury. At the beginning, it wasn’t a pretty sight seeing me play. but as time went on I gained a belief that each day I would get better and see progress. And it happened just like that, with the Grace of God and His guidance, I got through Australia and now I'm here in Switzerland!

In Switzerland I play on a team called Nyon Basket Feminin and the league I play in is call LNA, basically Division I. I am currently living in Crassier, Switzerland in my own apartment that is a very comfortable living situation. Right outside, I can go pick fresh fruit because the family who lives near has their own farm! My first impressions of the city was, "Wow, this place is beautiful and breath taking from the landscape of it." I have the Alps Mountain all around me and there is miles and miles of open land that most people have turned into farming land.

My first impression of my team and coaches were these are some very kind people! They speak such a gorgeous language but I don't understand any of it! I'm interested in the language and will start soon! So far I am really enjoying this country. I can't wait until the season starts on October 8th, it's going to be a great one!

Playing professionally has been a dream that I am finally living. I look forward to developing as a player, getting stronger and dominating when its time. Also, to meeting great people, visiting awesome places and developing as a person. So, I look forward to what my journey is becoming and I am forever grateful to be living it.

Preseason Update with Freshman Shanise Bultron and Coach Rizzotti

Freshman Shanise Bultron's blog below talks about how her and the team are preparing for the start of practice in early October. In the video on the right, Coach Rizzotti talks about what the Hawks are working on during individual workout sessions.

After having the chance to play as a team last month in France, our team was very excited to get back in the gym and start working on getting better for the upcoming season.

Having the chance to play with my team during the summer helped us get to know the way each other plays. The experience showed us what we are good at and what we need to work on.

We are now in our second week of preseason individual workouts and although I was nervous at the start, it has been great to see how my teammates and I are improving each day.

In my group are the other freshmen guards. During the first and second sessions it took some time to get used to the drills but now that we are in our second week we know what is needed and are focused on bringing our own individual game to the next level.

With individuals, team lift and cardio, we are provided opportunity to become the best player we can be so that when we are able to start practicing together in October, our team can be at its highest potential.

Overall I have been having an incredible experience my first year here at the University of Hartford and I look forward to what is to come.

Final Blog from France: Freshman Amber Bepko talks about this once in a lifetime opportunity

This trip to France was a once in a lifetime experience. For me to be able to come here as a freshman and be a part of the team so early made the trip that much more incredible.

We spent two days in Paris, visiting places I’ve only seen on TV. The night cruise of the city was phenomenal! Being able to see the Eiffel tower all lit up was something I will never forget.

We traveled to Toulouse were we spent the balance of our trip and played our games. We had the morning off on Saturday and went to a town called Conque. What an experience within itself. To see this village which is considered one of the prettiest villages in France was incredible. The small town of only 300 people was beautiful and welcoming to our team as we walked around and saw all the sites from up in the hills.

It was a challenging three games against some very talented European teams. It was a different style of play that took our team some getting used to. By the third game we started to gel more as a team and that was shown by a much closer outcome.

Having the chance to play with my team so early as a freshman helped me to really be a part of the team which most freshman don’t get to see until late October. To be able to play against such difficult teams made the experience that much more fun.

After our last game we had a team dinner and then a surprise party for junior Alex Hall to celebrate her 21st birthday. We had cakes from a local French bakery that were delicious. This trip to France was one I will never forget.

Update from France: Hawks Fall in Final International Game

Before returning to the United States to begin classes on Wednesday, the Hawks took the court one last time to play the Toulouse Metrepole Basket team on Sunday afternoon. This game wraps up three games total that the Hawks will have played in Rodez, France, the second international trip for Hartford under head coach Jennifer Rizzotti. Below is a recap of their final game against Toulouse, written by Cedric Quackenbush.

Hartford rallied late but fell short in a 75-66 loss to Toulouse Metrepole Basket on Sunday in the final game of their 2011 European tour in France. Toulouse is a professional team from the second division in France.

The Hawks were led by Ruthanne Doherty who scored a game high 23 points to go with seven rebounds. Freshman Amber Bepko added 17 points, 10 if which came in the first half, to go with four steals and two assists. Overall, the Hawks shot 42% from the field.

Toulouse got off to a fast start, building an 18-7 lead late in the first quarter, but Bepko pulled the Hawks within 4 points heading into the second quarter with a steal and fast break layup followed with a made layup off of a baseline drive in the final possession of the quarter.

At the start of the second quarter, Toulouse again got off to a hot start building the lead back up to double digits, but freshman Shanise Bultron nailed a three and Bepko converted another fast break layup to bring Hartford back within 25-18 midway through the period.

Doherty then scored the next seven Hartford points and ended the first half with a nifty layup and got fouled to make the score 37-31 in favor of Toulouse at the break.

After Toulouse built their lead up to 17, Doherty continued to shine with an array of tough jump shots from the high post that pulled Hartford within 55-43 heading into the final quarter.

Hartford never got within single digits until a late rally forced Toulouse to call a timeout after Bepko scored inside and sophomore Alyssa Englert drove and made an up and under layup.

Also contributing for the Hawks was sophomore Taylor Clark who added six points and three rebounds and Alex Hall who added five points and three rebounds.