Hartford Hawks women's basketball explained

Current:2023–24 Hartford Hawks women's basketball team
Women:yes
Hartford Hawks
University:University of Hartford
Conference:Conference of New England
Location:West Hartford, Connecticut
Coach:Polly Thomason
Tenure:2nd
Arena:Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion
Capacity:4,017
Nickname:Hawks
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Ncaaroundof32:2006, 2008
Ncaatourneys:2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011
Conference Tournament:2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011
Conference Season:2006, 2007, 2008, 2010

The Hartford Hawks women's basketball team is the basketball team that represents the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States. The school's team currently competes as in the NCAA Division III Commonwealth Coast Conference.

History

The school began the women's basketball team in 1975 as a Division III school. The program moved to Division II and was a member of the Northeast-10 Conference (originally Northeast-7) between 1980 and 1984. The school transitioned to Division I in 1984, playing as an independent school in 1984–85, and then becoming part of the Seaboard Conference in 1985–86. The Seaboard Conference became the North Atlantic Conference in 1989, and changed their name to America East in 1996.

2000s

Hartford's most successful run came in the early and mid 2000s under head coach Jen Rizzotti who was hired in 1999.[1] Under Rizzotti, Hartford made 6 NCAA tournament appearances. In 2006 Hartford knocked of the sixth seeded Temple Owls in the first round advancing to the round of the 32 for the first time in program history.[2] Hartford has continued its success under current head coach Kim McNeill, making the 2018 America East championship game.[3]

Division III

On May 6, 2021, the University of Hartford Board of Regents voted to drop its athletic department to Division III. The drop is set to take place no later than September 1, 2025.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rizzotti To Coach Hartford Women. Associated Press. January 20, 2019.
  2. Web site: Rizzotti's Hawks knock off Temple. 20 March 2006 . newstimes. January 23, 2019.
  3. Web site: Hartford Wiped Out By Dominant Quarter In America East Final. Hartford Courant. January 20, 2019.
  4. Web site: University of Hartford Votes to Drop Athletic Department to Division III. Sports Illustrated. May 6, 2021. May 7, 2021.
  5. Web site: Uhart's Hood Released. Hartford Courant. September 16, 2013.
  6. Web site: PSU Women's Basketball Coach earns Hall of Fame nod. Plymouth State University. September 16, 2013.
  7. Web site: Bridgeport's Beverly inducted to New England Basketball Hall of Fame. 22 June 2013 . CTPost. September 16, 2013.
  8. Web site: Women's Coach For Hawks Resigns. Hartford Courant. February 4, 2018.
  9. Web site: After 316 Wins At UHart, Jen Rizzotti Leaving To Coach At George Washington. Hartford Courant. February 4, 2018.
  10. Web site: Hartford Hires UVA's Kim McNeill As Women's Basketball Coach To Replace Jen Rizzotti. Hartford Courant. February 4, 2018.
  11. Web site: UConn alum Morgan Valley introduced as University of Hartford women's basketball coach. Hartford Courant. April 21, 2018.