Windsor Lancers

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

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



Wednesday, May 30, 2012

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.