tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61928527723778060662024-03-13T14:03:20.473-07:00Hartford HawksJeff Rubinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757799443999005353noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-13094339817192331242014-10-15T10:42:00.000-07:002014-11-06T10:47:54.676-08:00Women's Basketball Goes in the Classroom for Five Week Junior Achievement Program<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Women's Basketball Junior Achievement Video Recap </span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><strong>Women's Basketball Goes in the Classroom for Five Week Junior Achievement Program</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><strong>WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 9pt/18px Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The University of Hartford women's basketball team renewed their partnership with Junior Achievement this week by kicking off a five-week program with third graders at the Glastonbury-East Hartford Magnet School.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 9pt/1.6em Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Six members of the women's basketball team received training to teach a specifically designed curriculum consisting of hands-on activities that allow the students to learn by doing. Designed by national experts in learning, activities are engaging, fun and comprehensive. All Junior Achievement lessons correlate to the state curriculum standard. The curriculum focuses on making students financially responsible, prepared for the workforce and entrepreneurially savvy.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 9pt/1.6em Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"Our first day was really fun and went well," said senior<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><dfn style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://hartfordhawks.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3130" id="sidearmAd2" rel="smarttag" rev="3130" style="color: #c20012;">Shanise Bultron</a></dfn>. "The kids in the class were very excited to have basketball players teaching them for a little bit."</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 9pt/1.6em Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"Our five-week program will be very beneficial because it will allow them to get to know us personally. It's really important to develop a bond with them and it would be great if they wanted to come to some games and support us this season." </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LtRVhAA4Gvg" width="560"></iframe><br />Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-46683669710478111132014-09-28T07:54:00.000-07:002014-09-28T07:56:34.996-07:00Checking In with Coach Rizzotti at the World Championships<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNmhtvTy0F-ciJ8U_l8PsLsJGPVh8P5QgHlQUF5GGlXJwljwsfLzmVn_rfdvVTNRIY9WuTw3E1xT41ZmAO0-yqpJT6dAIEDC6M3C_dK7JexOShGLG5rXf5-xIkfLCK4IGPuITV4aaUN8/s1600/183487599_USAB_Womens_Mini_Camp_AB_675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNmhtvTy0F-ciJ8U_l8PsLsJGPVh8P5QgHlQUF5GGlXJwljwsfLzmVn_rfdvVTNRIY9WuTw3E1xT41ZmAO0-yqpJT6dAIEDC6M3C_dK7JexOShGLG5rXf5-xIkfLCK4IGPuITV4aaUN8/s1600/183487599_USAB_Womens_Mini_Camp_AB_675.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Today was the first day of the 2014
World Championships. This is what we've been preparing for the past three
weeks. We've only had our full 12 member team together for three days but it's
not a terrible thing when a 6-8 player that can dunk is the final piece of the
puzzle. </span></div>
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Because I'm one of the team scouts, I travelled to Ankara, Turkey this morning
from Istanbul with Chris Dailey to watch the eight teams from the pools on the
other side of the bracket. I was a little skeptical traveling away from the
group, especially since our team plays their first game against China tonight but
after what I just witnessed, I realized how special an experience this really
is. I just finished watching France play the home team Turkey. The game
started at 7 p.m. local time and the arena was packed by 6:30. I
watched the introductions of both teams and then listened to 5,000 Turkish fans
proudly sing/shout their teams National Anthem before the game started. It was
pretty cool.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">The game started out kind of slow, but
when Turkey's most popular player hit a three to go up two with 47 seconds to
play, I couldn't hear myself think. I'm not sure I've ever been in that kind of
environment. And this is only the first game of the tournament! It's
going to be a fun ride and I'm so glad I get to be a part of it. Now, back to
work! Brazil versus Czech Republic, coming up next! <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Go USA! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-18220454854904216332014-08-15T09:20:00.001-07:002014-08-15T09:22:24.386-07:00
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Alumni
Player Profile: Kathy Behrens<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Kathy Behrens graduated from the University
of Hartford in 1985 with an extensive resume that included three years of
playing tennis, two years playing basketball and a variety of accomplishments
off the court such as serving on the senate her junior year and as the Student
Government Association President as a senior. Currently, Behrens is
working with the NBA as the Executive Vice President, Social Responsibility
& Player Programs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">This past May, the University of Hartford
welcomed her back and presented her with the Vincent Brown Coffin Award
(professional achievement by a former student athlete) at the 2014 Alumni
Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4rln1H8wKz_lD73MxHX1LmWNL2CugSxW34yi_EFeYvyNrCZjfdQ1GE7rfBpWW0AtI9IpJtnG9Ec0a9FapOBhZvDx4R25Ojl93AWiKEWAiDb2yjAaat0ZoyCF-MITjshqR4kE6FQirZA/s1600/Kathy+with+Chris+Paul+and+Ruth+Riley-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4rln1H8wKz_lD73MxHX1LmWNL2CugSxW34yi_EFeYvyNrCZjfdQ1GE7rfBpWW0AtI9IpJtnG9Ec0a9FapOBhZvDx4R25Ojl93AWiKEWAiDb2yjAaat0ZoyCF-MITjshqR4kE6FQirZA/s1600/Kathy+with+Chris+Paul+and+Ruth+Riley-1.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“It was a super fun night and great to be
back with my friends & family,” described Behrens who recently took the
time to reflect on her experiences. “I come back to the University fairly
regularly because I’m on the Board of Regents, but to be able to experience the
Hall of fame Dinner and go down memory lane was very special. I always think my
sports background prepared me for after college because it’s a competitive
environment and you have to deliver in a different way than you do on the
court.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Following college, Behrens wanted to learn
the ins and outs of fundraising. She did so while working for former New York
Governor Mario Cuomo for seven years in various capacities and also with <i>United
Way. </i> In 1995, Behrens began working as the executive director for <i>New
York Cares,</i> a non-profit organization still near and dear to her heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">In 2000 the NBA commissioner David Stern
called Behrens, approaching her about becoming the Vice President of Community
Relations for the NBA and she accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“With basketball being a big part of my life,
I thought it was a great opportunity and a great time in my life for a career
change. I loved the sport and I understood how much of an emphasis the NBA
wanted to place on community service and how much it values the work it’s
players and teams do around the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">In fourteen years Behrens role with the NBA
has changed and expanded. She has pioneered a number of important NBA community
service initatives that have made a huge impact around the world. In 2005 she
spearheaded the <i>NBA Cares</i> program, which she describes as “an umbrella
to connect our players, teams and employee’s and capture the different things
they were doing.” Through <i>NBA Cares</i>, the NBA & WNBA have traveled to
over 900 places around the world renovating homes for veterans and the elderly,
going into schools and Boys and Girls Clubs, and performing a “day of service”
each year during the NBA All-Star Weekend. One of her proudest memories was the
day of service in New Orleans’s after Hurricane Katrina. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Behrens has developed and overseen numerous
initiatives such as <i>NBA Fit</i>, a program to help children lead active and
healthy lifestyles, <i>Share Our Strengths</i>, which provides children access
to nutritious food and prevent hunger, and <i>Basketball Without Boarders</i>
where NBA & WNBA players travel around the world growing the game of
basketball and demonstrate the commitment to giving back. Under her leadership,
the NBA & WNBA have also worked with programs focusing on ending homophobia
in sports. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“Respect, inclusion and diversity are things
we feel really strongly about,” explained Behrens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Despite her tireless work and busy travel
schedule, Behrens still finds time to give back and support the University of
Hartford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“I loved the University of Hartford and I
still come back and participate because I’m still connected. I made life long
friends. The things I did athletically and with the student government were
transformative for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Behrens also credits the University of
Hartford for distinguishing a culture of giving back to the community. “Being a
leader in the community is part of the culture at Hartford. It’s not just about
the people your helping, it’s also important for the people doing the helping.
It’s a real differentiator for Hartford and it can really change the culture
your trying to create when community service is in your DNA.”</span></div>
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Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-38899506201324966132014-07-30T12:33:00.000-07:002014-07-30T12:58:02.746-07:00Christie Michals Summer Blog – It’s Not Just Work, It’s Philanthropy<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pyfNuo1hy6oRidamfsk346MjxR_hBtbUsEYtF_uoULLZG-3NeuxeDY73yuZx5D-O7pJWvbxKVpMrRv7A2uX_JQCDjr4C1iwkFAcekun9liQOhna8QWHlg3u_Hs28i8x-bdU5Vgla3kg/s1600/IMG_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pyfNuo1hy6oRidamfsk346MjxR_hBtbUsEYtF_uoULLZG-3NeuxeDY73yuZx5D-O7pJWvbxKVpMrRv7A2uX_JQCDjr4C1iwkFAcekun9liQOhna8QWHlg3u_Hs28i8x-bdU5Vgla3kg/s1600/IMG_1710.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>This summer has been very exciting and full of great
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I have had the chance to work an internship position at the
Newman’s Own Foundation, where I am currently working with my former teammate,
Alex Hall. The foundation is based on philanthropy and they donate all of the
profits from Newman’s Own Inc. to charities all around the world. My job at the
foundation has included researching, organizing, and creating briefing
documents on a number of small projects. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was also fortunate to participate in a business trip with Newman’s
Own to New York City, where I helped the foundation with a conference they hosted
for other small businesses that also donate their entire profits to charity. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gnkEplov1efQ9GjHSXRfHHNIwOp7nXRiIYV0x5x7g8Gscl_1QMdhMJENduXeJXqyidtVMM9NE1sZFIXI6kRZbDzXiPpFhajfEbpgVPuMfKDfId_ebjV_goCVVyGGaEk95pmdwmryaDQ/s1600/IMG_1711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gnkEplov1efQ9GjHSXRfHHNIwOp7nXRiIYV0x5x7g8Gscl_1QMdhMJENduXeJXqyidtVMM9NE1sZFIXI6kRZbDzXiPpFhajfEbpgVPuMfKDfId_ebjV_goCVVyGGaEk95pmdwmryaDQ/s1600/IMG_1711.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a>What I enjoy most about my internship is being a part of a
company that does so much good for others. My temporary job with them is much
bigger than myself; I thoroughly enjoy working for a company that works for an
amazing cause by helping others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another thing I thoroughly enjoy is being with my team.
Summer session is an amazing opportunity for putting in hard work in the
classroom, on the basketball court, and in the weight room. It is so helpful to
have all the players and coaches together with a common goal of getting better
and spending time together. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a great adjustment period for the new freshman. Everyone
is fitting in perfectly and we are catching them up to the new speed of college
basketball. Being back on campus with the team is such a blast and an amazing
privilege to be able to continue our scholastic studies as well as coming
together as a unit. The girls have been amazing, everyone is extremely focused,
working hard, and having a great time together. This is a great beginning to
what will be a great year for Hartford Women’s Basketball.<o:p></o:p></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-2363568702084970382014-05-06T07:37:00.001-07:002014-05-09T08:30:44.401-07:00Teammate Reflections of Erika Messam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZYIjUBwGGhL2c6S2S5PznIh0wIbqRovz8T0p3iPtoO_YH-QL7IE96-3E1BT_vpbFuC9Pfv_uLujUfL_gGZqyhRloKw-ejY9aLzrtgtsllc3KGVGMGcqW4s2BpBBTCHr-WLuGskIZ0nA/s1600/UHA104.TIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZYIjUBwGGhL2c6S2S5PznIh0wIbqRovz8T0p3iPtoO_YH-QL7IE96-3E1BT_vpbFuC9Pfv_uLujUfL_gGZqyhRloKw-ejY9aLzrtgtsllc3KGVGMGcqW4s2BpBBTCHr-WLuGskIZ0nA/s1600/UHA104.TIF" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday, May 6, 2014 -</span> </span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I am very grateful I had the opportunity to play
three years with Erika Messam. Erika was such a great player, she made everyone
around her that much better. The talent, aggression, and skill she brought to
the court was just completely unmatched. I'll never forget playing pick up and
always having to guard her. She would talk so much trash to everyone so we
would all get mad and play harder. Some days those pick up games felt like the
America East championship. No matter how hard we competed against each other on the court
we always remained great friends and that is something I will always cherish.
The impact Erika made at the University of Hartford will be talked about for a
very long time and I can't think of anyone more deserving to be inducted into
the Hall of Fame."</span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">- Ikea Witt, Class of 2007</span></em></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday, May 7, 2014 -</span> </span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My fondest memories of playing
basketball with Erika Messam were those rare instances in practice when I
actually thought I'd tired her out and might be able to accomplish
something...anything! Like get a pass off, drive towards the basket, maybe hit
a shot, or steal the ball from her when she was on offense. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">You have to understand I was
often Erika's personal practice partner who got the glorious job of "trying"
(notice the quotes) to stop her. My mentality most practices was to attempt to
cheat into those passing lanes or "first" options in a play, as I
knew every play our red team (starters) were attempting to run. This worked on
some teammates...but not Erika. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She was the queen of giving a
defender "false hope" because she'd put her hands on her hips and
breath heavy and look all tired after scoring or doing a ton of work to get a
teammate a wide open shot and you'd start to think, "Okay, I have a chance
now...she's tired." <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then Coach Rizz would switch
things up and put her on the white team, which I was always excited about no
matter how beat she looked. Because that was the thing about Erika Messam, no
matter what team she was on they would win...and she loved a challenge! Four
starters on the red and her with the white team and she'd start going off (yes,
this is right after her hands were on her hips and she looked exhausted).<u9:p></u9:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The best part about being
on the same team with Erika was how good she'd make you feel when you did
something well. There was no bigger trash talker on our team, but there was
also no bigger cheerleader. If you did something well she just about bowled you
over with a hug (or one of her stinging high fives) and you couldn't help but
grin from ear to ear because she also let you know when you were messing up (in
an encouraging...motivating...get it together kind of way). <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">She read people well, knew how to
motivate and totally lead by example on the floor. There wasn't anyone who
played with the kind of tenacity that Erika did and we all respected her for
it. That's probably why Coach Rizz made her our captain. She was a tenacious,
competitive, winner...and we certainly did win during her time at Hartford I
couldn't think of a more deserving person to go into the Hall of Fame.
Congratulations E!</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><strong><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">- Kate (DiDonato) DeLoureiro, Class of 2007</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friday, May 9, 2014 -</span> </span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ooykXDGWxZA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="null"><span style="color: black;">Erika was an
unwavering teammate. No matter what was going on in her world, she kept it off
the court and left her heart on the court. I couldn't think of a more deserving
individual for this award-a wonderful player, teammate, mother and person. Like
many of the players and friends at Hartford, I consider her a forever friend.
With life after Hartford, she has been a sister, mentor and friend.</span></span><span style="color: black;"> From post player to point guard, much love, respect and
honor for this achievement.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">- Tanika Price, Class of 2005</span></em></strong></span><br />
<br />
</span><strong><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em></strong>Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-71634920925811962952014-05-05T12:44:00.002-07:002014-05-05T12:44:47.129-07:00Where are they Now? – Nikkia Smith --- Bringing Hartford Basketball to the Nation’s Capital<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsyOs8wVPwo9Ol4jxqU1dbDQncEN5azS9riTLVrb-dDpy7CWLap6njwFG_1adf7rhT6bDRFymuivov789cWAaOVrIRxQW6Mn8go6KFe8vVKlVPeOgF4WLe3ThDtfdxjqCOcvomNGOMZM/s1600/8feb_88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsyOs8wVPwo9Ol4jxqU1dbDQncEN5azS9riTLVrb-dDpy7CWLap6njwFG_1adf7rhT6bDRFymuivov789cWAaOVrIRxQW6Mn8go6KFe8vVKlVPeOgF4WLe3ThDtfdxjqCOcvomNGOMZM/s1600/8feb_88.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I
can’t believe it has been almost a full year since graduating! But boy what a
crazy and exciting year it has been.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">After
graduating last May, my Aunt graciously opened her home in Bloomfield to me, allowing
me to live there through the summer. I continued working at Farmington Valley
Transition Academy as a one to one specialist through the end of June. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">At
the end of August, I officially said goodbye to Connecticut and moved to Washington,
D.C. for graduate school. Over the past eight months I have been working as the
Graduate Assistant/Assistant Coach for the women’s basketball team and working
on my Masters in Public Administration at Gallaudet University. Gallaudet is a
private institution for the deaf and hard of hearing in the heart of D.C. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Competing
at the NCAA Division III level, Gallaudet competes in the Northeastern Athletic
Conference (NEAC). This past season the women’s basketball team finished 15-12
overall and made it to the NEAC tournament semifinals for the first time since
2010-11. Needless to say, it was a really exciting year for our program! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Attending
Gallaudet has been a dream of mine for many years. I have truly been blessed
with this opportunity to further my education and continue to be involved with
basketball at the collegiate level as a coach. Living in D.C. has truly been
amazing. I’ve had to make friends outside of sports, use public transportation
and even live with people I didn’t know in advance! I know all these probably
sound like minor accomplishments, but after being surrounded by wonderful
teammates (who had cars) and were also easy to get along with, these are
basically major milestones in life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The
players and staff of Gallaudet’s many athletic teams have taken me under their
wings. They teach me new signs every day and challenge me even when I’m
extremely uncomfortable. I have been able to transfer so many intangibles from
what I learned at Hartford. It shocks me sometimes at how similar I sound to my
coaches at Hartford. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I
knew my coaches were smart while I was there, but they’re even smarter now that
I can use some of the very same sayings I heard on a regular basis and see the
impact it has on my players. Having the experience of being a Hawk has taught
me more about life and management then I could have ever imagined. I am
grateful everyday for all the experiences I have had. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-68504674407784166982014-04-14T07:39:00.006-07:002014-04-17T10:50:11.529-07:00Final Four Creates Lifetime Memories: Alyssa Englert's Nashville Final Four Blog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEgu2jAmIr6LV9g8pMYJ6zqsuTpe8Xm9o66-PTOkQrE5j2kRCCV2mW8Aea9NAsxyOndlfBMtu-GG9rl14yFU_8Xly4o2R7niowfkT_MXm5ivLoQXlhXaq6erSPHmGjMd28GnPhWdy6c4/s1600/act_wbb-EnglertAlyssa-WBCAGoodWorks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEgu2jAmIr6LV9g8pMYJ6zqsuTpe8Xm9o66-PTOkQrE5j2kRCCV2mW8Aea9NAsxyOndlfBMtu-GG9rl14yFU_8Xly4o2R7niowfkT_MXm5ivLoQXlhXaq6erSPHmGjMd28GnPhWdy6c4/s1600/act_wbb-EnglertAlyssa-WBCAGoodWorks.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0Jj7YXlFHE&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank"><strong>VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH ALYSSA & COACH RIZZOTTI</strong></a><br /><br />Wow, the Final Four was quite the
experience of a lifetime! I’ve never had so much fun doing so many different
activities in an incredible city. If you have never been to a Final Four and
are debating on whether it’s worth it to go or not…IT IS!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Sunday was my first full day in
Nashville. I started off the morning by attending a “meet and greet” with Beth
Bass, the current Chief Executive Officer of the WBCA, with the other nine members
of the Good Works Team and their parents/guests. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsxU6-d1AGSnFR4G7dcygc7PgUtWpvtcoSyDC89uk6Py-Ut38inrjM7FRnPy0I0Mai0LRHtfuwouUfo21X2e7TzthkMrzAST5EMbxgxh3TfHty1KhjJApKCyOkboT7rbIIHlkImaPFHg/s1600/Englert-ForWeb03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsxU6-d1AGSnFR4G7dcygc7PgUtWpvtcoSyDC89uk6Py-Ut38inrjM7FRnPy0I0Mai0LRHtfuwouUfo21X2e7TzthkMrzAST5EMbxgxh3TfHty1KhjJApKCyOkboT7rbIIHlkImaPFHg/s1600/Englert-ForWeb03.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Beth invited all of us up to
her suite in the morning just to better acquaint each of us and congratulate us
on making the Good Works Team. It was amazing to hear all the extraordinary
things the other girls had done to be involved in their community and even
further than their local area. Many of the girls were a Big Sister or Buddy
program for 3-4 years like I have been, some helped out at </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">homeless shelters, and
many had run basketball camps. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Several girls had gone to other countries such
as Brazil and South Africa to complete missions and/or run educational
programs for a few weeks. I thought that was truly remarkable. Not only did
some of the girls reach out to their local communities, they also traveled out
to third world countries and gave back. Like myself, some of the other Good
Works Team members have been impacted somehow by cancer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0U7MDc4ZgdStJJ-P6WVt3NF8Kfi561kWb5ZHt2fU7bcs6odkEAhZ2Z4ZsBzPiwV4BQMv6VwoX57BKqpOXJpov26DKkz2y02e87XDnH3Y1JEj3HrlPmpm-uVKh11hfxxK-2m7_OIxmzDk/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0U7MDc4ZgdStJJ-P6WVt3NF8Kfi561kWb5ZHt2fU7bcs6odkEAhZ2Z4ZsBzPiwV4BQMv6VwoX57BKqpOXJpov26DKkz2y02e87XDnH3Y1JEj3HrlPmpm-uVKh11hfxxK-2m7_OIxmzDk/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">One of the team
members worked with a nine-year old girl battling leukemia, another had been
involved in breast cancer awareness events and helped to raise money towards research. I was blown away by the resume's of my Good Works Team members. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Later that day the ten of us went over
to “Tourney Town” to hand out awards to groups in the Nashville area that had given
back to their community. These included some local Boys & Girls Clubs,
church groups, and YMCA’s. Each group got their award and the representatives
went down the line to shake the hands of the 10 Good Works Team members. The
kids were so excited and honored to shake our hands which was very cute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Next up…GAME TIME BABYYY! We gathered
in the hotel lobby and walked over together to the Bridgestone Arena to watch
the Final Four games. First up, #4 Maryland vs. #1 Notre Dame, who was
undefeated. What a great first game to get the night started! Notre Dame had so
much talent at the guard position and couldn’t miss! They ended up getting an
easy 20+ point victory over Maryland in the end. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnBLK3_FVHcSjV9HRdsz3jkH65fca6i2SC6LyKXW4B2jKv1vmXz6IY-slga0tdvcTVoxyV12oFivWn12J6jAv-NJfWW90Nmcoy1tT8AB97rfdXKAvqUKo23ZkYf3uuZh3ZZE4GHOWGvc/s1600/IMG_1779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnBLK3_FVHcSjV9HRdsz3jkH65fca6i2SC6LyKXW4B2jKv1vmXz6IY-slga0tdvcTVoxyV12oFivWn12J6jAv-NJfWW90Nmcoy1tT8AB97rfdXKAvqUKo23ZkYf3uuZh3ZZE4GHOWGvc/s1600/IMG_1779.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Next up was #1 UConn, also
undefeated of course, vs. #1 Stanford. UConn is probably the toughest team in
the country. So disciplined and relentless to the point where </span><br />
they seem
invincible. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">This was a very special game because just after halftime, myself
and the rest of the 2014 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team were recognized on court. We walked onto the court during one of the timeouts and
were individually announced. This was a truly a wonderful for me because the
gym was filled with 85% UConn fans who knew of the University of Hartford. So
when my name was announced there was a roaring ovation from the crowd! I
couldn’t believe it, it was amazing to hear so many people cheering for me,
I’ve never had such a big smile on my face.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">The next day was an early morning as we
got up to celebrate Allstate WBCA Good Works Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent almost all day at the
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. When we first got their we introduced
ourselves and got to meet a lot of the staff and directors as they talked a
little bit about the hospital and some of its goals and initiatives. Then
Allstate and the 10 of us got to present the hospital with a $10,000 check!
They were all so happy and grateful and talked about all the great things they
could put the money towards. After that we spent the next hour or so assembling
over 300 “Wellness Kits” that included a water bottle, hand sanitizer, lotion,
chap-stick, sunscreen, and a stress ball all put into a cold-insulated zip-up
lunch bag. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">We then broke up into three teams and walked around different areas
of the hospital to distribute them and visit with patients. I have never been
around so many wonderful people in my entire life. I felt so blessed to be able
to visit and talk with each of the patients that I had met. They were so kind
and courageous going through what was probably the toughest obstacle in their
life. But yet, they were so excited and honored to see us. I felt like it was
the other way around because I was the one that felt excited and fortunate. The
Team and I spent the next couple hours or so walking around the hospital
delivering the Wellness Kits and talking basketball smack about the men’s and
women’s tournament. After walking around and visiting, all of the staff,
directors, Allstate representatives and the Team sat down for lunch and shared
a little bit about ourselves. We concluded with a movie that the hospital had
made about surviving cancer, living your life to its fullest, and having hope. The
entire day at the hospital was so moving and heartfelt. I couldn’t help but be
inspired by everyone there. Patients, staff, administrators, everyone was part
of this incredible family and I was so glad we were able to go there as part of
Good Works Day. Such an amazing time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">That evening was the WBCA Awards Show.
We were lucky enough to be announced with the Naismith and Wade Trophy winners
and Coach of the Year. Plenty of decorated athletes and coaches were in
attendance including Coach Rizzotti who actually presented the Wade Trophy
winner. It was a privilege to be in the presence of so many basketball greats. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Tuesday was my final day in Nashville.
This was a day filled with a lot more down time until the afternoon. Around
2:30p.m. we all went over to Tourney Town for an autograph session. I felt like
a celebrity up on stage signing posters and basketballs for young players and
families, getting my picture taken, and having people congratulate me. I was so
surprised on how many people were in line to get our autographs but I was so
happy and once again had a huge smile on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">That evening was the national championship game.
The best part of course…watching UConn celebrate as they had claimed there ninth National Championship! I had watched the game many times before on TV, but to
be there in person was so cool! Watching the team jumping on each other,
jumping on Coach Auriemma, holding up the trophy, and cutting down the nets was
thrilling. I felt so lucky to be there and watch it all happen in
person. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">That concluded my time at the Final
Four in Nashville. I know I’ve said it a hundred times before but what an
AMAZING experience. Between receiving the award and being involved in all the
great things I did while I was down there, I couldn’t ask for anything better.
I am so grateful to Allstate for the opportunity and for accommodating me and
my parents on our trip. I would also like to thank the WBCA for selecting me as
one of five Division I players to be on the Team. And of course to everyone at
the University of Hartford that nominated me. It was one of the best experiences
of my life and it makes every minute of community service I have ever done, and
will continue to do in the future, truly worth it. Again, thank you to everyone
that made this all possible for me. I am honored to be a part of the 2014
Allstate WBCA Good Works Team!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-7615349016439613532014-02-03T12:19:00.002-08:002014-02-03T12:19:43.712-08:00Player Profile: Deanna Mayza '17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNtC9H0SIuRi7cdcjpxOmlTW-IJc1TXpKrkfhFi_X-uN9GsIeofGHhvEbtdLIwHl4LOwrnR0HJbdsCflvtOBGGEEzuGIFbbwUyJlpwO3S25WcCf238JTt2x1RvKGtihKwI3xmHYaoRwE/s1600/SMP_0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNtC9H0SIuRi7cdcjpxOmlTW-IJc1TXpKrkfhFi_X-uN9GsIeofGHhvEbtdLIwHl4LOwrnR0HJbdsCflvtOBGGEEzuGIFbbwUyJlpwO3S25WcCf238JTt2x1RvKGtihKwI3xmHYaoRwE/s1600/SMP_0303.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Deanna Mayza was raised in a family of
athletes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mayza’s parents both have
backgrounds in basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her father is
a coach who set school records as a college player and her mom was a skilled
athlete in multiple sports.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“My dad is the coach of a boys’ team
and whenever they needed a 10th player I always got to play with
them,” said Mayza, a freshman point guard for the University of Hartford
women’s basketball team. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Mayza’s older brother, Tim, excels in
baseball and was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays last year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was one of the boys on their father’s team.
“Having an older brother around meant I always played with the guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad and brother have been the most
influential people for me as an athlete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having my brother there the whole time I was growing up, beating me up
in the backyard, just made me tougher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My dad is the one that got me playing basketball and always helped me
work on my skills.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">The strong competition in her formative
years only helped Mayza flourish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the
beginning of her junior year at The Hill School in Pennsylvania, she was being
contacted by several colleges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mayza,
who went on to set records as the school’s all-time leading scorer in
basketball (1,222 points) and soccer (67 goals), says the University of
Hartford was the one institution that made sure to stay in touch with her
beyond the initial contact.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“A lot of the schools just make contact
once and then you don’t hear from them again whereas the coaches at Hartford
just continued to stay in touch with me throughout the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother looked at Hartford when he was
considering schools so I knew a little bit about it,” said Mayza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Mayza wasn’t sure what degree she
wanted to pursue and saw that as an important consideration in addition to the
opportunity to play basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
thought that Hartford offered the most options for me to consider since I
didn’t know exactly what I wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
coaching staff is great too and knowing coach Rizzotti was here made me want to
pursue it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">With her being a point guard
in college and playing in the WNBA it made me want to come here and learn from
the best.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Mayza lived on campus during her senior
year at The Hill School, so she was used to being away from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, she says she has already learned quite
a bit in just one semester at Hartford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a Division I student-athlete she sees the importance of budgeting her
time well.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“During the season we don’t have a lot
of free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lot to juggle
just between classes and playing basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The coaches always make sure that we have time for study hall, even when
we’re on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m learning how
important it is to be proactive with my professors so that I can get things
done before we go on a road trip.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">One of the best parts about her
basketball experience so far is not what happens on the court, it’s the team
camaraderie.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“Our team chemistry off the court is
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone hangs out and we all
have a good time together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a
little more free time during the winter break when there are no other students on
campus so we’re always together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re
either playing Rock Band or doing something else outside of basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just have fun with each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">One of the things the team does off the
court is community service work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
something Mayza says she has always enjoyed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“When I was in high school I used to
help out my Dad with youth programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
would do basketball clinics and I loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now that I’m here we’re doing things like going to children’s
hospitals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We go to elementary schools
and read to the kids and talk to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s always nice to spend time with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Mayza describes herself as “feisty” and
as a successful student-athlete, it’s not surprising to hear that she’s very
competitive both on and off the court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a freshman she still has plenty of time to decide on a future career
path but she already has a pretty good idea of what she wants to try first.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">“Seeing my older brother get drafted
and knowing that he is going to live his dream in baseball makes me want to do
the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Playing somewhere
professionally has always been a dream and something I want to pursue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it’s academics or pursuing something
else I feel like I have this drive to do well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know that will help me going forward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">For now, Mayza is enjoying life as a
collegian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her basketball skills and
ambition make it clear that she will be a valuable asset for her Hartford team,
and perhaps for a professional team one day in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-18710560689317260022013-11-20T10:09:00.003-08:002013-11-20T10:10:41.112-08:00Where are they Now? – Tanika Price --- Making A Difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A0swm4G6Fjm_CYq2cvD3cbioCvnft3H8NFNqCfCfJzr2BWK4ZeyHfhLetH6IjMrpUUOrvqMU3k2mgGlXixRNFr6oADqinqPwlWdc2Y44pEGm6avy_vZV3GA8gaZmX9fcc0JgI5Wm5-U/s1600/DSC_3965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A0swm4G6Fjm_CYq2cvD3cbioCvnft3H8NFNqCfCfJzr2BWK4ZeyHfhLetH6IjMrpUUOrvqMU3k2mgGlXixRNFr6oADqinqPwlWdc2Y44pEGm6avy_vZV3GA8gaZmX9fcc0JgI5Wm5-U/s320/DSC_3965.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">The
University of Hartford and Coach Rizzotti prepared me for the real world-both
during and after college. It was the best of basketball, academics, friends &
family, and FUN all in one place.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Now,
I work for a non-profit organization named CAMBA, which is one of N.Y. and the United
States’ largest non-profit organizations. You can find out more info here:
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.camba.org"><span style="color: blue;">www.camba.org</span></a>. My title is Assistant Director
for the Flatbush site of CAMBA. I deal mostly with curricula, budgets for youth
& community development as well as implementation of programming.
Ironically, I make a return to my roots as my office is located in and services
the neighborhood I grew up in. On any given day, we assist anywhere from 1,000-1,200
individuals by bringing them completely free services. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Our
group was recently able to secure a grant for the Brooklyn (Flatbush) area in
the form of 1.2 million dollars, which will be used to fund 5-6 projects for
the betterment of the community. I would like to use this money for bolstering
and implementation of more STEM initiatives, a new computer/technology lab and
more academic and athletic based programming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">At
my site, we have a wealth of program offerings for children, youth and adults.
Some of our programs include: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">For
Adults:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Financial
literacy, GED and ESL, first time homebuyer classes, Computers, Citizenship,
Immigration and Legal advice. Also providing small business and loan classes,
etc.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">For
Teens:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">A
new project called Collegiate Express (specifically for 9th graders) that will
put them on the path to college with tutors, mentors, academic monitoring and
STEM initiatives. We also have youth council and leadership programs as well as
a stellar boys’ basketball team.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">For
Youth:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Homework
help & afterschool programming, STEM initiatives, filmmaking partnerships
with the Tribeca Film Festival (our student produced work won an MTV Halo Award
and secured $20,000 for a school in Flatbush as well as a $10,000 award for one
of our students), karate, acting with Kimball Studios, which is one of the
groups that write for Conan Obrien and a number of other TV programs, and of
course a really good girls team. I am proud to say that my two Girls teams
(ages 10-12 and 13-15) are not only borough champions but NYC champions. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Some
of my favorite memories at Hartford have helped to grow and shape the woman I
am today. I remember after missing a practice, the coaches held me accountable
and I had to run suicides. For any wrongdoings, the coaches held me accountable
for my actions. Now, I can appreciate this in a huge way. They didn’t always
tell or teach me the lesson I wanted, but rather taught/told me the lesson I
NEEDED to hear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">The
University has a family-friendly atmosphere, FUN campus living and lasting
connections. The Flight Zone is just the BOMB! PERIOD! Hands down they are the
best group of dedicated individuals and sports fans I have ever met. I miss
them! I had a great time on campus too! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-65126964974149199982013-10-31T11:49:00.002-07:002013-10-31T11:49:33.785-07:00Where are they Now? – Danielle Wexler --- Building a Family
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYiBoDihjCsw3_PvuJu3qb4u3qVnxq4ZccZqwzcMAeaEvOghonVOpPUdUuwbhNk_VFBd8tlVicWwO1kccOqYma5Dxdl7gE8t96-4A3y_3STSRDNmdyTro31ZDhcJ_scGZ7ihRHTng6-o/s1600/michaela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYiBoDihjCsw3_PvuJu3qb4u3qVnxq4ZccZqwzcMAeaEvOghonVOpPUdUuwbhNk_VFBd8tlVicWwO1kccOqYma5Dxdl7gE8t96-4A3y_3STSRDNmdyTro31ZDhcJ_scGZ7ihRHTng6-o/s320/michaela.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Looking
back at my experience as a Hartford Hawk, my favorite memory is beating Temple
in the first round of the NCAA tournament. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-35650044172401180482013-10-18T08:53:00.000-07:002013-10-18T08:53:46.262-07:00Player Profile: Cherelle Moore '15<br />
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<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">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.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">"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."</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">"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."</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">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.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">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.”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">"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."</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;">
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">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." </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Hartford opens the season
on November 9 against the defending national champion UConn Huskies.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-10727883785061201072013-10-15T13:04:00.000-07:002013-10-15T14:30:45.014-07:00Where are they Now? – Kacey Pratt --- Finding Paradise<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcvTfplTeVFTyne49X9h732-Y9NF-ITIO8raIJo47IlPNbdmaGh-Zs0Cc9TBT8OGb0TncksXb5zhydHbXzZQk2yyHdZtPm2GcX1dSthUMroFIMVPjgMDJWYZvYs3rJaFTEirdDm9V-AA/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcvTfplTeVFTyne49X9h732-Y9NF-ITIO8raIJo47IlPNbdmaGh-Zs0Cc9TBT8OGb0TncksXb5zhydHbXzZQk2yyHdZtPm2GcX1dSthUMroFIMVPjgMDJWYZvYs3rJaFTEirdDm9V-AA/s320/photo.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">After graduation I moved back home to Rochester, N.Y.
for a few months before moving across the country to sunny Southern
California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am currently living in
Huntington Beach which is located in Orange County, Calif.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now know why people leave the east coast
and never come back because the weather in Southern California is
unbelievable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live about a mile from the
beach so no complaints here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">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!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is my second full year teaching, after starting mid-year my first year,
teaching the last four months of school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">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!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although now I understand Coach Rizzotti’s
frustration of not being able to put on a jersey and play!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">The most exciting thing that has happened recently is
that my parents moved from upstate New York to Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are only a five hour drive
away, or a quick plane ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having them
out here and being able to catch up for lost time has been amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">My favorite memory as a Hawk goes beyond all the wins
and losses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know Grandpa Jim is going to be reading
this, so I have to give a shout out! Love you Jim!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-24378396777589933382013-09-17T18:55:00.000-07:002013-09-17T18:55:03.066-07:00Where Are They Now? - Katie Kelley - International Adventurer
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I am currently living and working
in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. After graduating from the University of
Hartford in 2009, I moved back home to Syracuse N.Y. and worked as an assistant
coach for the Onondaga Community College women’s basketball team. We went 35-1
that season and advanced to the NJCAA National Championship. That summer I also
served as the head coach in the Empire State Games and coached the Central
Region girls basketball team the championship gold medal game. <br />
<br />
In September 2010 I joined my
former Hartford teammate Marylynne Schaefer In Leimen, Germany to play
basketball. I played one season of professional basketball, but the
following summer I tore my ACL. I moved back to Syracuse and worked in the
admissions office of OCC. Last year, I applied and was hired by The University
of Maryland University College (UMUC) as a National Test Center Administrator
here in the United Arab Emirates. <br />
<br />
Now, I am enjoying life and learning a new culture in Abu
Dhabi! I’ve been working and living here since January. I was able to take some
time this summer and travel to Paris, Frankfurt, Las Vegas and of
course Hartford! It was great to be reunited with some of my Hawk family back
in Hartford. <o:p></o:p><br />
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-53615087778987608382013-08-21T13:47:00.001-07:002013-08-21T13:47:40.975-07:00Where are they Now? - Bridget Murray - Playing in the Big Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSQMfCkU-Mi28pS6abNmZEk3H_LnwfGkj43KlBryQr1BoDEmjB98jlPYS_oX_ldPu8pp4fvrxlumCw9BrI7EUUGcm88enI65e1bZ76EPe4v91BLcrBZsoXnBXEofZWDZM_RdH3HDuYEk/s1600/bridgetmurray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSQMfCkU-Mi28pS6abNmZEk3H_LnwfGkj43KlBryQr1BoDEmjB98jlPYS_oX_ldPu8pp4fvrxlumCw9BrI7EUUGcm88enI65e1bZ76EPe4v91BLcrBZsoXnBXEofZWDZM_RdH3HDuYEk/s320/bridgetmurray.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">I am currently living
in Voorheesville, NY, which is where I grew up. After graduating from
college, I was a little bit of a nomad. I have been in the insurance industry
since I graduated from college in 2004. I spent some time right after
graduation in Hartford and then transferred with work to Boston. From
there, I again transferred for work to Washington DC. In 2009, I moved to
New York City. Then I got the opportunity to work for my family’s
insurance agency, The Murray Group, in 2011 and moved back home. I love
living here. It's great to have familiarity and be surrounded by family.
It also means I'm closer to Hartford so I can go see more games! It’s fun
working with my family, and despite what many people may think it's not
difficult to be surrounded by and working with family all week. I like
that I can reach out to the people I know in the local community and work with
them on a daily basis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">I got married in June,
2012 and was so happy to have many former teammates and Coach Rizz and Sully
attend. One of my favorite post college memories involving Hartford was when
Sully started break dancing at my wedding! My older brother recently had twin
boys, and my twin sister Lauren (who is known by many in the Hartford family)
is due with a boy in November. Lots of boys - we may be able to make a
basketball team soon!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">My favorite memory as
a Hartford Hawk was warming up for the first round of the NCAA tournament in
Oklahoma City. It was the first time the women's team ever made it to the
tourney, and it was the first time that there was a sellout in the arena we
were playing in of over 12,000+ fans. I distinctly remember shooting
around right before the game, and then all of a sudden the Oklahoma band
started playing and the team ran out on the court. It felt like a big-time
place to be playing. I really miss the good ol' days at UHa, but I'm glad I've
been able to stay in touch with so many friends who really are like
"family". It's been fun going to teammates' weddings and
hearing about their new babies<o:p></o:p></span>Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-36743201241812641602013-07-25T08:21:00.000-07:002013-07-25T08:21:08.944-07:00Where Are they Now? --- Erica Beverly's Proudest Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG9gpdDgYijcALdSh4iR-p8pmVJoxAvS7heNQbTrXnmqEVEcaFdEqEM-Q7r24oMqwIcIOYLSJMSEaLh-qcf35xSCzJnj0YOQ37CSi3p8btNtQ5Xy69FwYcahrxYcqZWZ9TMxpjGKbmnQ/s1600/Bev+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG9gpdDgYijcALdSh4iR-p8pmVJoxAvS7heNQbTrXnmqEVEcaFdEqEM-Q7r24oMqwIcIOYLSJMSEaLh-qcf35xSCzJnj0YOQ37CSi3p8btNtQ5Xy69FwYcahrxYcqZWZ9TMxpjGKbmnQ/s320/Bev+wedding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">After
graduating from the University of Hartford in 2010 and working as the Director
of Basketball Operations in 2011 at Hartford, I had the chance to play
basketball professionally in Switzerland and Australia. Now, I am living in
South Jersey with my husband, Andre Thomas and I love it! It is a change from
the city life, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but everyone who knows me
knows I love my southern roots. I am currently pursuing my cosmetology license
at Empire Beauty School and will complete my license by November! I have a lot
of passion for cosmetology and love that there are so many different ventures
you can go into such as hairstyling, being an esthetician or nail artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m very excited about having the chance to
pursue this passion and looking forward to seeing what my future holds!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I
got married on June 15<sup>th</sup> 2013 to my husband Andre in Burlington
City, NJ at Tabernacle Baptist Church! It was such a beautiful and sunny day
that the Lord blessed us with. We had our family and friends, including many
former Hartford teammates, with us for the celebration and we couldn’t have
asked for a better day! From the design of my dress, our aisle runner, to the
church décor and my brooch bouquet and even the groom and best man pants, our
entire wedding was so unique and special and I enjoyed planning it. I was very
pleased with how it turned out and it was so much fun. My wedding day is one of
my proudest moments. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I’ve
had a lot of time to reflect on my experiences as a Hartford Hawk and I have to
say my favorite memories are the bonds with my Hartford family (coaches,
teammates, fan’s and the staff I worked with at Hartford). The most profound
part of the bond is that it still exists today! I’ll also never forget after I
tore my ACL at the beginning of my sophomore year when Coach Rizzotti sat me
down at the end of the season and explained to me that a NCAA rule change would
now grant me a red-shirt year (originally we didn’t think it would be a
possibility). That moment was so important because I could see the joy in Coach
Rizzotti’s eyes and we both started to cry. I felt as if she was treating me as
one of her own children. I was so filled with appreciation and determination to
recover from my injury and make our program proud. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-71814933018009087352013-07-15T08:07:00.000-07:002013-07-15T08:28:49.696-07:00Where Are They Now?: MaryLynne Schaefer - Dreams Do Come True<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRwu1p7LgXrvAhUcT9bl6SIdOZJydT3uWYXt6p9t-cJUAZyiSqbm3J2COHPQBBdm38x8nrO9j-U3yeP97wl_awSGYppIa-yiAy1sM5n4fxdR29xtDuhtYiMgsSo5lAzI39D5HZthyphenhyphen_hY/s1600/mls+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRwu1p7LgXrvAhUcT9bl6SIdOZJydT3uWYXt6p9t-cJUAZyiSqbm3J2COHPQBBdm38x8nrO9j-U3yeP97wl_awSGYppIa-yiAy1sM5n4fxdR29xtDuhtYiMgsSo5lAzI39D5HZthyphenhyphen_hY/s320/mls+picture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Like most kids, I imagined
on a regular basis what I wanted to be when I got older and had to begin life
in the “Real World”. Whether it was a firefighter, actor, lawyer, ice cream
shop owner (oh, just me?), journalist, teacher, professional athlete, or coach;
you imagined it and hoped it would become a reality one day. In about seventh
grade, with four years of basketball under my belt I knew I wanted to try and
make basketball my future and not just my present. I began thinking big
picture. Could I play in college? Could I play professionally? If I can’t play
forever, will I be good enough to coach? I know what you are thinking, ‘really
in seventh grade you thought about all of this’? If you know anything about me,
planning and goal setting is what I do. Maybe it’s the military background from
my dad that instilled this way of thinking for me, but I am glad I have it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>My time
at Hartford went by extremely too fast. We won America East Championships and
made the post season year after year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
addition, we beat Top 25 ranked opponents each of those years, including 5th
ranked Duke my senior year; but I built relationships with great people and
created lasting memories. After graduating in 2009, I was fortunate enough to
spend two years playing professionally in Leimen, Germany. I won a
championship, met amazing people, learned to speak another language and spent
my last season playing with former college teammate and roommate, Katie Kelley.
Living in another country and experiencing a completely different culture from
what I grew up with, is something I will never forget. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Here I am now, four years
graduated and approximately 1,401 miles from Hartford and living in sunny Miami
with a daily view of the ocean (unfortunately I am still working on that
tan ... might be a lost cause, but I won’t give up). I am entering my third year
working at the University of Miami and second year as their Video Coordinator.
During my time on staff, we have traveled to Alaska, appeared in back-to-back
NCAA tournaments, and watched seniors achieve their goals of getting drafted
and competing in the WNBA and abroad. On a daily basis I am learning from an
exceptional staff, led by Head Coach, Katie Meier. As a student-athlete I knew
my coaches worked hard to prepare us for the upcoming season, practice, and
opponent, but I didn’t truly learn to appreciate everything they did until I
was on the same side as them. There is so much additional preparation and
non-court related responsibilities coaches and staff have on a daily basis. I
didn’t fully understand those responsibilities until I found myself doing some
of those intangibles. Working at Miami has allowed me to learn unconditionally
and appreciate how much work Coach Rizzotti and everyone else on the staff at
Hartford did while I was there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">In November, the 1,401 miles
will shorten when Coach Rizzotti and the Hawks come down to compete in our
Thanksgiving tournament. Not only do I look forward to their arrival, but
hopefully Sully will be able to fit in a game of horse (like the ‘old’ days)
when he isn’t found playing a few holes of golf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would never change the path I have taken to
what I am currently doing because at the end of the day I love working toward
achieving what the seventh grade me set out to do. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-78226740895843878652013-07-03T09:03:00.001-07:002013-07-03T09:03:36.017-07:00Where Are They Now?: Mary Silvia Travels the Globe with SeriousFun Children's Network<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMxR6TxCFU74UxIKYmqmBIGzxRwmKYMKAUu4yUOf-vNtvSOuSXSqYGkMqdgF3wsEYbsoYkKkIZ7V8y5HvVp-S1VXXFwq_gbwf1CoDq7gZ2dI5cTxpnK5IUc_d5kOeKYgri8M-LD5DlY4/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMxR6TxCFU74UxIKYmqmBIGzxRwmKYMKAUu4yUOf-vNtvSOuSXSqYGkMqdgF3wsEYbsoYkKkIZ7V8y5HvVp-S1VXXFwq_gbwf1CoDq7gZ2dI5cTxpnK5IUc_d5kOeKYgri8M-LD5DlY4/s320/IMG_0427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">“You have brains in your head.<br />
You have feet in your shoes.<br />
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” <br />
-Dr. Seuss, <i>Oh the Places You’ll Go</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">When I graduated in 2011 I did not expect to stay in
Connecticut, but what do you know?! I live in New Haven and work in Westport,
and couldn’t be happier! In November 2011 I started at SeriousFun Children’s
Network, a nonprofit network of camps and programs for children with medical
conditions (some of you may be familiar with The Hole in the Wall Gang
Camp—that’s how it all started). In my current position, I work with our Global
Partnership Programs, where we partner with local organizations in different
countries and train them to lead and operate camp programs. So far, this
amazing job has taken me to India, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Botswana. Over the
past 5 months, I have had the privilege of connecting and working with the most
lovely people all over the world. I’ve eaten foods that I could not identify,
I’ve gone days without a warm shower, I’ve become accustomed to sweating
buckets in 120 degree heat, I’ve learned how to say hello and thank you in 4
different languages, and I’m currently in the midst of my longest trip of two
months. These things are not in everyone’s comfort zone, but all of this is
such a natural fit for me and I am fully infected with the travel bug.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">I have spent 10 of the last 24 weeks abroad—travel is the name
of the game this year. However, I am able to keep in pretty close contact with
my family and friends, and a trip to my parents is always first on the list
when I return. Before leaving for this trip, I had the good fortune of going
down to Knoxville for Coach’s induction and it was an honor to be part of that
special occasion. And when I get home in August, I will see Jenna Peterson
again, returning from her 18 month mission in Argentina! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">Attached are some photos from my trips, everything from wearing
a sari in India to Leadership Team training in Botswana! When I travel, I keep
a blog…or at least I try to when I have a wifi connection. Feel free to check
it out: </span><a href="http://marytookawalk.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">http://marytookawalk.blogspot.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mary<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-42870211060010393292012-10-09T08:58:00.001-07:002012-10-09T08:58:43.692-07:00Former Hawk Talks about International Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yyRunlQlPBOu-vBbmtZWaBEMFwOndveAiUcuAbyghrZ1a4FhExjPPIDnlqlmUwmz97ac7PTJyd3YZuVPWpq4FoQqITMqJxbiSuoVX25uF8GsPS-0vkUS9eGDZgLz2QMHPGM61z5uFAA/s1600/Keyokah+and+Firs+Lady.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yyRunlQlPBOu-vBbmtZWaBEMFwOndveAiUcuAbyghrZ1a4FhExjPPIDnlqlmUwmz97ac7PTJyd3YZuVPWpq4FoQqITMqJxbiSuoVX25uF8GsPS-0vkUS9eGDZgLz2QMHPGM61z5uFAA/s320/Keyokah+and+Firs+Lady.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG96QXSkz__bhk9aYyKeUV_p_wFvoNLUfN2klFOB1rxp0ul0dn8QbDNBKLT4Jf5pHmHGTC06lAptnNPBaxD3RWhGpnjhoDAA30DWQOKa86Q1KABXGfzersuUEt8iuZ3VIGMEFJqpkznQ/s1600/DSCI0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG96QXSkz__bhk9aYyKeUV_p_wFvoNLUfN2klFOB1rxp0ul0dn8QbDNBKLT4Jf5pHmHGTC06lAptnNPBaxD3RWhGpnjhoDAA30DWQOKa86Q1KABXGfzersuUEt8iuZ3VIGMEFJqpkznQ/s320/DSCI0110.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
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. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpTz0UP5djY7dT0hKEEczJTixMwaNxhTzCkfiqPzGzDQtEI5VT94qXaskKWLuF5xCVku0A-MLddTbwWnvoHY0yS8YwKwYmNexRIdEfaTi797Ilt5a4i9L7fUZ4QBqwOUtVFFtknNJxRM/s1600/DSCI0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpTz0UP5djY7dT0hKEEczJTixMwaNxhTzCkfiqPzGzDQtEI5VT94qXaskKWLuF5xCVku0A-MLddTbwWnvoHY0yS8YwKwYmNexRIdEfaTi797Ilt5a4i9L7fUZ4QBqwOUtVFFtknNJxRM/s320/DSCI0108.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
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! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6FIGDTz8frj4GN92xzl3huuEoAAtWRlmMqb9J2qFoF_zCC4yy6P8oWYC6Gu8uWAR9RUA2MDBH4K4mn7-cUU_a7b12F4nwPoDPMI6Zbn418fiEPjK7Cjnopr27b5QnHGczegbEDxORI8/s1600/DSCI0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6FIGDTz8frj4GN92xzl3huuEoAAtWRlmMqb9J2qFoF_zCC4yy6P8oWYC6Gu8uWAR9RUA2MDBH4K4mn7-cUU_a7b12F4nwPoDPMI6Zbn418fiEPjK7Cjnopr27b5QnHGczegbEDxORI8/s320/DSCI0102.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Keyokah<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-60201226426512158342012-05-30T12:18:00.000-07:002012-05-30T12:18:01.700-07:00A New Summer Gig<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nC76-OmDFWhSXT4gxblwaosDPzpaAL68meJTh4ArjjqFBd65Yp5ed-i1zZjvaRyWhQQ7TW6MGKhOFtolS11PEaiT42hYh2bveuq1NAdQxj2MSI3d1Eet1BSS4uIKidHLwdA0swJV38I/s1600/D7A_9501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nC76-OmDFWhSXT4gxblwaosDPzpaAL68meJTh4ArjjqFBd65Yp5ed-i1zZjvaRyWhQQ7TW6MGKhOFtolS11PEaiT42hYh2bveuq1NAdQxj2MSI3d1Eet1BSS4uIKidHLwdA0swJV38I/s320/D7A_9501.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I know it's been awhile since I wrote a blog so I figured it was time to check in. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">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 <span style="background-color: white;">prepare</span> for final exams. They all left campus by mid-May and then our lone senior, <a href="http://hartfordhawks.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2283&path=wbball" target="_blank">Keyokah Mars-Garrick</a>, graduated on May 20th. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">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 <span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">(July 1, September 9 & 23)</span>and hope to get better each time I do it. <span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">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! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Have a great summer.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Coach Rizzotti</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">Check out a replay of Coach Rizzotti's first television broadcast appearance on CPTV Sports. Check your local listings or <a href="http://www.cptvsports.org/content/broadcast-schedule" target="_blank">http://www.cptvsports.org/content/broadcast-schedule</a> for the CT Sun vs. NY Liberty re-broadcast. </span></em></div>
<div>
</div>Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-61880230639810087742011-10-07T13:02:00.000-07:002011-10-07T13:02:24.366-07:00Picture DayThe 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.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W3OyuMKFweM" width="640"></iframe>Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-10906337654551231042011-10-03T14:26:00.000-07:002011-10-03T14:26:06.331-07:00Where Are They Now: Erica Beverly (October 3, 2011)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>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 <span style="font-family: inherit;">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</span> a question or a possible topic for a future Where Are They Now feature, email </em><a href="mailto:athletics@hartford.edu"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>athletics@hartford.edu</em></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>.</em></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Where Are They Now: Erica Beverly (October 3, 2011)</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsjnTOMoQjVGyoTjv7B5iJF0GPWjfuB9AlpoKawYBvj2_OBrAXfjOTknb29lMHSSRVloUipBpdV3UChlgYkroo_76Nps336aoKd8yNVQkefvSeJnFo6hCI2VJLsc1FEYzaxxsNpVsohA/s1600/Bev+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsjnTOMoQjVGyoTjv7B5iJF0GPWjfuB9AlpoKawYBvj2_OBrAXfjOTknb29lMHSSRVloUipBpdV3UChlgYkroo_76Nps336aoKd8yNVQkefvSeJnFo6hCI2VJLsc1FEYzaxxsNpVsohA/s320/Bev+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a> <span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">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.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">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! </span></div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">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. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">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!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">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.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div></div></div>Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-18730932603123557532011-09-23T09:26:00.000-07:002011-09-23T09:32:12.489-07:00Preseason Update with Freshman Shanise Bultron and Coach Rizzotti<div style="float: right;"><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q1GoqpZ_L4Q?version=3&hl=en_US" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="420"></iframe></div><em>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. </em><br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-80863866736444672112011-08-29T17:08:00.000-07:002011-08-29T17:08:02.015-07:00Final Blog from France: Freshman Amber Bepko talks about this once in a lifetime opportunityThis 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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<center><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BVOKhHwUM_w?version=3&hl=en_US" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe></center><br />
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<center><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ah4mfRiCuS4?version=3&hl=en_US" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe></center>Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-78766040935758268592011-08-29T08:22:00.001-07:002011-08-29T08:27:19.238-07:00Update from France: Hawks Fall in Final International Game<em>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.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWy-kTD1LFt1Ir1TBJqpcLwgKaetA64QZRdWgOIb79poOBr4DeH5dxRXJpYMLpElXnSu4FhpZSpztVXSUgI4gogzWL5Y1iNOzNYA1SLb56CMVKchy0DL9yNbJogD4BZbnosuYmzsgDIZE/s1600/Team+Pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWy-kTD1LFt1Ir1TBJqpcLwgKaetA64QZRdWgOIb79poOBr4DeH5dxRXJpYMLpElXnSu4FhpZSpztVXSUgI4gogzWL5Y1iNOzNYA1SLb56CMVKchy0DL9yNbJogD4BZbnosuYmzsgDIZE/s320/Team+Pic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>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.<br />
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The Hawks were led by <strong>Ruthanne Doherty</strong> who scored a game high 23 points to go with seven rebounds. Freshman <strong>Amber Bepko</strong> 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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 <strong>Shanise Bultron </strong>nailed a three and Bepko converted another fast break layup to bring Hartford back within 25-18 midway through the period.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Hartford never got within single digits until a late rally forced Toulouse to call a timeout after Bepko scored inside and sophomore <strong>Alyssa Englert </strong>drove and made an up and under layup. <br />
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Also contributing for the Hawks was sophomore <strong>Taylor Clark</strong> who added six points and three rebounds and <strong>Alex Hall</strong> who added five points and three rebounds. <br />
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Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192852772377806066.post-15174871226778935512011-08-28T08:51:00.000-07:002011-08-28T08:51:41.540-07:00Update from France: Hawks Drop Consolation Game, will Play One More on Sunday<em>The Hawks took to the court for the second time playing on international soil on Saturday against Tarbes Gespes Bigoree in the consolation game of the 2011 BEST (Basketball European Star Tournament) in Rodez, France. The Hawks are one of four teams, the only international team, in the traditional tournament style event. Below is a recap of their first game against Tarbes Gespes Bigorre, written by Cedric Quackenbush. </em><br />
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Playing in their second game in France, Hartford fell 94-41 to Tarbes Gespes Bigorre in the consolation game of the “Basketball European Star Tournament.” Tarbes is considered one of the top professional teams in France and finished in second in the country last year.<br />
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Freshman <strong>Cherelle Moore</strong> led all players in scoring with 17 points on 7-15 shooting from the field. <strong>Alex Hall </strong>scored eight points to go along with three rebounds and one assist, while <strong>Ruthanne Doherty</strong> scored seven points and had a team high five rebounds. <br />
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The Hawks shot just 26% compared to 48% shooting for Tarbes. Sophomore <strong>Alyssa Englert</strong> who started the past two games at the point guard scored 6 points and had 5 assist. <br />
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Moore put Hartford on the board early with a jump shot but Tarbes jumped out to a quick 23-3 lead to claim control of the game. Hartford rallied at the end of the first quarter to pull within 27-9 heading into the second period.<br />
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A three by Moore pulled Hartford wihin 30-14 with 6:11 to go in the second but again Tarbes responded and took a 43-19 lead at halftime. <br />
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The Hawks were called for 26 fouls compared to 11 for their opponent and Tarbes attempted 39 free throws with Hartford attempting 10. <br />
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Hartford will take on Toulouse Metrepole Basket on Sunday to conclude their international campaign in France. <br />
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Hartford Athleticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437144442339797274noreply@blogger.com0