Where are they Now? – Danielle Wexler --- Building a Family

After living in New York the past two years I am currently living in Wallingford, Conn. with my husband and baby daughter, Michaela. My life took a dramatic turn last spring when my husband and I welcomed our first child. She has changed our lives in the best way possible.

I love living here; it is such a great place and love not having to commute over an hour to work. My husband was very lucky to have landed a head football job at Maloney High School, while also teaching math at the high school.

I am going into my fourth year as an assistant women's basketball coach at Quinnipiac University. I love coaching and it’s a beautiful place to work. I really wouldn't ask for a better environment to be in. I love coaching the girls and seeing how they develop into young women.

Looking back at my experience as a Hartford Hawk, my favorite memory is beating Temple in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Player Profile: Cherelle Moore '15

If you were to walk by and look into the Chase Family Arena this summer, there’s a pretty good chance you would have seen forward Cherelle Moore '15 taking extra shots. Moore, a Bridgeport, Conn. native, dedicated the off-season to getting in the best basketball shape of her life while completing her summer classes at the University of Hartford.

"Getting in shape was the main goal for me over the summer," said Moore. "My basketball IQ is there, but I realized that I needed to get in shape to become a better player. I worked really hard on improving my basketball skills."

"This was a big off-season for Cherelle and she took full advantage of her opportunity to work hard and get in great shape," said Coach Rizzotti. "She was always a good athlete but she took a step forward when she shed her self-imposed physical limitations."

Moore, a six-foot junior forward with the ability to play the wing or post position, emerged as consistent rebounder for the Hawks down the stretch of last season. She became a key player in the lineup and helped lead the Hawks to the America East championship game. Her teammates and coaches voted Moore the most improved player after the season.

Now an upperclassman, Moore is determined to become more of a scoring threat and leader for the Hawks. “I always want to be a leader on and off the court and I’m hoping to have my teammates be able to look up to me when they need something,” said Moore. “On the court I want to be an offensive threat to our opponents.”

"The confidence Cherelle has in herself right now has correlated to her being more of a vocal leader," Rizzotti added. "She knows she’s an upperclassman now and this is her time to lead by example as well. After two years, she has learned what it means to be fully committed and she is a terrific example to the young players of what working hard and making mental adjustments can do for individual growth."

Moore is excited about the potential her team has this season and is determined to win the conference championship. “With our depth and fast-paced style, we want to be able to run teams out of the gym this year,” explained Moore. "We know what it takes to get to the championship game—it hurt losing in it last year, but it fueled us, and we are coming back angry and determined to be the last team standing."

Hartford opens the season on November 9 against the defending national champion UConn Huskies.

Where are they Now? – Kacey Pratt --- Finding Paradise

After graduation I moved back home to Rochester, N.Y. for a few months before moving across the country to sunny Southern California.  I am currently living in Huntington Beach which is located in Orange County, Calif.  I now know why people leave the east coast and never come back because the weather in Southern California is unbelievable!  I live about a mile from the beach so no complaints here.

 

My dad always told me if you find something you love, you will never work a day in your life, and now I know what he means!  I absolutely love what I do, and have met some of my best friends at my job. I am currently teaching special education at a middle school located in Long Beach, Calif.  This is my second full year teaching, after starting mid-year my first year, teaching the last four months of school. 

 

Last year, I also coached the middle school girl’s basketball team which was an awesome experience because I truly miss playing and being around the game. So, it was nice to get back into it!  Although now I understand Coach Rizzotti’s frustration of not being able to put on a jersey and play!

 

The most exciting thing that has happened recently is that my parents moved from upstate New York to Arizona.  After only seeing them two or three times a year for the past five years, I now get to see them at least two or three times a month.  They are only a five hour drive away, or a quick plane ride.  Having them out here and being able to catch up for lost time has been amazing.

 

My favorite memory as a Hawk goes beyond all the wins and losses.  The best part about being a Hawk is the second family that you acquire while you are there and long after. I have met some of my very best friends while at Hartford and have met people that will hold a very special place in my heart forever.  I know Grandpa Jim is going to be reading this, so I have to give a shout out! Love you Jim!!