The University of Hartford and head women’s basketball coach Jennifer Rizzotti have agreed to a contract extension as announced by University President Walter Harrison and Director of Athletics Patricia H. Meiser on Wednesday. The new contract will run through the 2017-2018 women’s basketball season.
"Jen Rizzotti has had a brilliant career as coach of the Hartford Hawks women’s basketball team and has established herself as one of the premier coaches in the country at any level of the game,” said Harrison. “I am delighted that she has agreed to extend her contract with us, and I look forward to watching her lead our team far into the future. Later this spring she will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. I have had the great good fortune to work with some of the great coaches in all sports throughout my career, legends in the game. Jen Rizzotti is the best coach I have ever seen. We are so fortunate to have her at Hartford for many years ahead."
Rizzotti first signed with Hartford in September of 1999 and has since led the Hawks to six NCAA Tournament appearances and the program’s first win in the NCAA Tournament, over Temple in 2005-06. Her previous contract was to last through the 2013-14 season and will now be folded into the new contract. The terms of the new extension are undisclosed.
"I’m thrilled to further extend my contract with the University of Hartford under the tremendous leadership of President Walter Harrison and Director of Athletics Pat Meiser,” said Rizzotti. “The opportunity to continue to work with these phenomenal young women and build on our already rich tradition at this university is one I’ll continue to cherish each, day, year, and decade I remain with the program."
Having just completed her 14th season, Rizzotti led the Hawks to their eighth America East championship game this past March. The Hawks finished the 2012-13 season with a 21-12 record and advanced to the postseason for the ninth straight season. The Hawks also saw two players eclipse the 1,000 point level during the season, Ruthanne Doherty and Daphne Elliott.
The three-time America East Coach of the Year, Rizzotti has amassed a school-record 276 wins which is the most among all current and former America East coaches. Her five America East Conference Championships and 23 league tournament victories are the most in the history of the conference. In her 13 previous seasons, Rizzotti has coached 33 different players to All-Conference distinction, highlighted by two America East Player of the Year recipients; Diana Delva (2010) and Erika Messam (2006).
This June, Rizzotti will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, one of six members of the Class of 2013. Rizzotti, who is being inducted as a player, joins other noteworthy Division I head coaches Gary Blair (Texas A&M) and Jim Foster (formerly Ohio State) in the newest induction class. She is also the third member of the Connecticut Huskies family to be inducted joining Rebecca Lobo and head coach Geno Auriemma.
Away from the University of Hartford, Rizzotti has also amassed a 13-1 record as a USA Basketball Head Coach, leading the United States to Gold Medals at the 2011 U-19 FIBA Championships and the 2010 U-18 FIBA Americas.
