A Season of Milestones

The Hawks trip back was without incident and I think everyone was happy to finally see the inside of a plane. The team bus arrived back at the Sports Center late this morning. While it would be easy to let the most recent happening, a 40-point loss to South Carolina, fill our minds, as we get further and further away, we will all see that 2006-07 was a solid continuation of the rise of Hartford's women's basketball.

Consider where we stand today:

2o wins for the third straight season
25 wins for the second straight season
3 consecutive postseason appearances
A second win over a ranked opponent (BYU)
A second straight America East regular season championship
Two first-team, One third-team, One All-Rookie Team honoree
Jen Rizzotti America East Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season

Thanks to all of you who have written in to this blog during the Hawks' America East Tournament and WNIT road trips. You clearly show why you are some of the best collegiate women's basketball fans in the country.

Game Day

Well, I do not think that there was one person in the Hawks' traveling party who did not appreciate every minute of sleep last night. The team was able to sleep in this morning, rising for a 9:30 a.m. breakfast. The shoot-around is taking place now as I write, with the Hawks having their only chance to be on the court between WNIT games. The pre-game meal will be at 1 p.m. and the team bus (our fourth bus company and driver on this journey) will depart between 3 and 3:30 p.m. back to the Colonial Center for the game.

There is no television or Internet video for this game. An expanded 30-minute pre-game show will air beginning at 4:30 p.m. on WWUH (91.3 FM, wwuh.org). During this pre-game show, we will answer one or two of the questions posted by you on this blog. Please note that I also post written answers to your questions in the "Comments" sections where they were originally asked.

Hofstra defeated Seton Hall yesterday, 64-52, so Hofstra will meet the winner of the Hawks-South Carolina game during the week at a site and time to be announced.

Please use this post to offer your thoughts either before or after the game.

We Are Here At Last

Director of Athletics Pat Meiser has been in this business more than a quarter of a century. She says she has never experienced a trip like this. Head coach Jen Rizzotti has travelled extensively through her playing and coaching days and notes the scene at Reagan National Airport early this morning was as chaotic as she has ever been witness to.

To make a long story short, three different bus companies brought the Hawks' traveling party from Hartford to Columbia, S.C., in a journey that started yesterday morning and did not conclude until after 8 p.m. this evening. In all, 19 hours were spent on a bus, 11 of them through mostly crawling traffic during yesterday's snow, ice, and rain storm. During that span, the team was near or in three different airports with confirmed (or allegedly confirmed) flights (New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.). Two of the flights never went, while the third went without the team. The waiting time in the lines at Reagan National this morning were easily 4-8 hours. I think most of us were happy to be back on a bus later in the morning.

As you might imagine, the entire group is ready for a good night of rest, and I think each person here is ready to focus on basketball. So, look for the next posting tomorrow to set up the game, which will be played as scheduled Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. The expanded pre-game show begins at 4:30 p.m. on WWUH (91.3 FM, wwuh.org).

The Hawks Are Not There Yet

Well, the good news is that the Hawks are now getting a chance to get sleep just after the 10 p.m hour. The bad news is that it is in the northern suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, after a daylong bus journey that began at 9 a.m. in Hartford and saw a scheduled flight in New York and potential flights in Philadelphia cancelled. The team is now scheduled for a morning flight tomorrow from Reagan National directly into Columbia, South Carolina. If that occurs, Hartford will still have time to rest during the middle of the day, have a full practice later on, and have all the normal night- before and day-of-game routines.

So, we are safe, tired, and ready for a 5 a.m. wake-up call tomorrow. I can say on this day, WNIT clearly stands for Wicked Nightmare in Travel.

Good night.

Carolinas Here We Come

The Hawks played inspired second-half basketball to defeat Bucknell last night and will now move on to play South Carolina on Sunday. The Hawks are taking no chances, leaving via bus to LaGuardia airport this morning to board an early afternoon flight into Charlotte. The team will then bus the 90 or so minutes to Columbia, SC. Now that the Hawks are back on the road, this blog will resume regular reports. However, it is only as successful as the readers make it. Please offer your greetings, comments, and questions. This 2006-07 season still has at the very least one memorable weekend left. Also, hidden in the tournament hoopla--congratulations to the Hawks on a second consecutive 25-win season.

WNIT Opening Round Schedule

Wednesday, March 14
Illinois Chicago at Minnesota
Montana at Utah
Jackson State at Tulane

Thursday, March 15
Nevada at Wyoming
UC Santa Barbara at San Diego
Long Island at Iona
Rice at Illinois State
East Tennessee State at Western Carolina
Davidson at Alabama-Birmingham
Kentucky at Oakland
Stephen F. Austin at Southern Illinois
Murray State at Arkansas State
High Point at Charlotte
Coppin State at St. Joseph’s
Bucknell at Hartford
Dartmouth at Seton Hall

Hawks At Home Thursday

Tickets are now on sale for the opening-round WNIT game on Thursday night between Hartford and Bucknell. It's a bonus chance to see the Hawks at home. This blog will remain active following the Hawks through postseason play.

You can download the WNIT bracket and get ticket information at hartfordhawks.com. Please note that season ticket holders can reserve their same seats if they order by 8 p.m. tonight.

Direct From the WNIT

Here is this morning's statement on the Women's NIT Web site:

Several automatic berths in this year's Postseason WNIT have already been filled by teams that won't be included in the NCAA Tournament. As conference tournaments come to a close, some of the WNIT spots have been decided by teams that finished first or second in their conference during the regular season. Here are the teams that are guaranteed one of 31 automatic berths in the WNIT, through Sunday, March 11:

America East: Hartford
Atlantic Sun: ETSU (through conference tiebreaking procedures)
Big Sky: Montana, if no NCAA at-large berth
Big South: High Point
Big West: UC Santa Barbara
Conference USA: Tulane, if no NCAA at-large berth
Horizon: Illinois-Chicago
Ivy: Dartmouth
Metro Atlantic: Iona
Mid-American: Ball State, if no NCAA at-large berth
Mid-Continent: Oakland
Mid-Eastern: Coppin State
Missouri Valley: Southern Illinois
Northeast: Long Island
Ohio Valley: Murray State
Patriot: Bucknell
Southern: Western Carolina
Southland: Stephen F. Austin
Sun Belt: Louisiana-Lafayette
SWAC: Jackson State
WAC: Nevada
West Coast: San Diego

The WNIT is expanding its field to 48 teams this spring for the first time in event history.

The eight-team expansion will allow for an automatic bid from every conference. The WNIT is guaranteeing that each of the nation’s 31 conferences will automatically have at least one spot guaranteed for one of their teams in the Postseason WNIT.

The Band And Cheerleaders Add a Home Touch

Congratulations to the band and cheerleadering team for such spirit and support during the weekend. The Fan Cam was there as the team was sent off from the hotel to the arena Sunday in style.

A New Week

Well, good morning. One must tip his or her hat to UMBC, which on successive days knocked off the top three seeds in the tournament to claim the title. The Hawks head home today and will await word on their post-season fate tonight and tomorrow as the NCAA and WNIT fields are announced.

It's Your Turn

This blog is now turned over to you, the reader, between now and Monday morning. Please share your thoughts before and after the Hawks' championship game with UMBC by replying to this post. Thanks for reading and participating in the Hawks' tournament blog.

Fan Cam Preview

Here's a Web exclusive in anticipation of today's championship game with assistant coach Brian Mik.

Championship Sunday

Today's championship game begins at 5 p.m. The Hawks rose for breakfast at 9:30, will shoot around at 11:30, have their pre-game meal at 1, and then head off to the arena just after 3 p.m. The radio broadcast of the title tilt today will begin with a special extended pre-game show beginning at 4:30 p.m. on WWUH (91.3 FM and wwuh.org). The game will be televised live on NESN and MSG at 5 p.m.

Cheer for the Hawks

It may not be the Chase Arena in Reich Family Pavilion, but the Hawks spirit on display in Binghamton this weekend is hard for fans from other schools to ignore. Take a look at the scene, courtesy of the Fan Cam, as the Hawks were introduced prior to tonight's game vs. Binghamton. Most of the section behind the Hartford bench is filled with red-clad Hawks fans waving rally towels, and you'll note Howie and the cheerleaders adding to the excitement. It's home away from home.

The Band Played On

The pep band arrived at the arena moments before the team bus pulled in on Saturday night, and the band's presence was fully appreciated by players, coaches, and fans. Let's take a look at the band in action via the Fan Cam.

Hawks Win, Go For Title Tomorrow

The Hawks pride themselves on defense and they displayed why tonight, downing Binghamton, 56-46. It is the 17th time this season that Hartford has held an opponent under 50 points.
The Hawks will go for their third straight America East title tomorrow afternoon at 5 p.m. against the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Hawks Itinerary Today

Coach Jen Rizzotti has made sure that everything stays the same come tournament time as far as the Hawks' daily routine goes. So today is no different than a Saturday in November would be with a road night game. The team breakfast took place at 9:30, followed in short order by the customary team meeting to review film , followed by shoot-around. The players now have about 90 minutes to relax at the hotel before the pre-game meal at 3:30. The bus will depart from the Fairfield Inn in time to allow the Hawks to see much of the first game of the evening card between UMBC and Vermont.

The Essentials For Tonight's Game

The top-seeded Hawks meet fourth-seeded Binghamton tonight in a game that will tip off at 7:30 p.m. at the Events Center on the Binghamton campus. An expanded pre-game show will begin at 7 p.m. on WWUH Radio (91.3 FM, wwuh.org). Both of the semifinal games will be televised live on the New England Sports Network (NESN) beginning at 5 p.m.

Those not in the New England region can access the telecast at America East's Web site (www.americaeast.com) at no charge. However, the sign up can take time and you do need certain hardware and software installed on your computer for everything to work properly. So, if you are planning to view the game on the Internet, and have not signed up for America East streaming feeds, I advise you to sign up ahead of time and make sure you have an account and that your computer does meet the necessary requirements.

Introducing the Fan Cam

Hawk Fans, it's time for your Fan Cam. You no longer have to just read my ramblings to keep in touch with the Hawks on their tournament journey. Our fan cam segments will bring you some of the sights and sounds of tournament weekend.

Below is Hawks' head coach Jen Rizzotti at last night's press conference, responding to a question about the increased level of physical play the Hawks faced against Albany.

Hawks Prepare for Semifinals

The Hawks advanced last night with a quarterfinal-round 60-50 victory over a pesky Albany team that had leads in both halves. In the next post, this Hawks' blog is pleased to present the first-ever video clip. Our "fan cam" segments will allow you to feel closer to the excitement in Binghamton back in Hartford or wherever you are following this weekend's action from.

Binghamton is Turning Red

How nice it is to slowly but surely see more familiar faces arriving in Binghamton donning Hartford red. A few Hawks' fans were on hand at the arena last night to take in the Albany-New Hampshire matchup. However, the greatest contingent of cars and vans from Hartford wil be arriving between now and 6 p.m., when top-seeded Hartford tips off against Albany.

The team gathered for a 9:30 a.m breakfast before heading to shoot-around (a small-scale, one-hour practice with limited exertion that takes place on game days). Then the Hawks will have their pre-game meal at 2 p.m. (always four hours before game time). It will be time to board the bus around 4 p.m. and held from the Fairfield Inn to the Events Center, site of the 2007 America East Women's Basketball Championship.

If you are unable to make the trip to Binghamton, we will help you follow the Hawks this weekend right here. Keep up to date with all the happenings.

Air time for tonight's game is 5:50 p.m. on WWUH, 91.3 FM, and worldwide on the Internet at wwuh.org.

Hawks to Face Albany

The Hawks were in the Events Center dressed up on Thursday, once for the morning banquet and once more after dinner to watch their Friday opponent, Albany, defeat New Hampshire in a game that was decided in the closing minute. The Hawks will be back in the building tomorrow night, but this time dressed in their familiar scarlet and white uniforms. Game time is 6 p.m. Follow all the action live beginning at 5:50 on WWUH Radio (91.3 FM or wwuh.org).

Thanks to all who listened to the final Jen Rizzotti Radio Show, sponsored by Nestle Purina Pet Care, on ESPN Radio 1410. Though technical problems at courtside delayed the show by 25 minutes, it was well worth the wait as the one hour and 15 minutes that followed featured not only Coach Rizzotti, but America East Conference commissioner Patrick Nero and ESPN analyst and former UConn great Rebecca Lobo.

Well, the Hawks are ready for a good night's sleep. The waiting is over. Tomorrow is game day.

You Can Congratulate Coach Rizzotti Yourself

Call in and talk to America East Conference Coach of the Year Jen Rizzotti during a special live Jen Rizzotti Radio Show, sponsored by Nestle Purina Pet Care, airing courtside from the Events Center in Binghamton tonight at 6 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1410 (AM). The number to call in is 860.247.ESPN (3776).

A Day To Get Ready

After this morning's banquet, the Hawks head off to practice at nearby Davis College this afternoon. So that none of the teams gain an unfair advantage practicing on the court where games will be played, each school must arange to practice at a different area facility, including host Binghamton. The Hawks will have an early Italian dinner and then head off to the Events Center to take in the opening game of the tournament this evening.

Hawks Earn Multiple Awards

Congratulations to Coach Jen Rizzotti, the America East Coach of the Year and to Hawks Danielle Hood, Ikea Witt, and Diana Delva who received awards at this morning's tournament banquet. The event was held in the actual arena where the games will be played, beginning with tonight's matchup between New Hampshire and Albany. The winner of that game will take on the Hawks tomorrow night at 6 p.m.

2006-07 America East Women’s Basketball Annual Award Winners

First Team
Danielle Hood* Jr. F Hartford Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas
Ikea Witt Sr. G Hartford Vineland, N.J./Sacred Heart
Bracey Barker* Sr. F Maine Bar Harbor, Maine/Mount Desert Island
Mykeema Ford* Sr. G Stony Brook Trenton, N.J/Cheshire Academy
Jessica Smith* Sr. F Stony Brook Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler

Second Team
Laura Sario Jr. G Binghamton Espoo, Finland/Etela Tapiolanlukio
Katie Meinhardt Sr. G Boston U. San Francisco, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep
Ashley Underwood Sr. G Maine Augusta, Maine/Cony
Sharri Rohde Sr. F UMBC Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central
Danielle Clark Sr. F New Hampshire Corinna, Maine/Nokomis Regional

Third Team
Laine Kurpniece Jr. F Binghamton Riga, Latvia/Riga Secondary School 47
Diana Delva Fr. F Hartford Stamford, Conn./Westhill
Dana Ferraro Jr. F Stony Brook Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex
Leah Getz Sr. G Stony Brook Peninsula, Ohio/Southhampton College
Courtnay Pilypaitis Fr. G Vermont Orleans, Ontario/St. Peter’s

All-Rookie
Aly Hinton* Fr. F Boston U. Richboro, Pa./Council Rock
Diana Delva* Fr. F Hartford Stamford, Conn./Westhill
Amy Simpson Fr. G New Hampshire Waterford, Conn./Waterford
May Kotsopoulos* Fr. G Vermont Waterloo, Ontario/Waterloo Collegiate Institute
Courtnay Pilypaitis* Fr. G Vermont Orleans, Ontario/St. Peter’s

All-Defensive
Gia Sanders Jr. F Albany Bowie, Md./The Bullis School
Whitney Edwards* Sr. G New Hampshire Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Trinity Catholic (Conn.)
Sharri Rohde Sr. F UMBC Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central
Jessica Smith* Sr. F Stony Brook Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler
May Kotsopoulos Fr. G Vermont Waterloo, Ontario/Waterloo Collegiate Institute

All-Academic Team
Katie Meinhardt Sr. G Boston U. San Francisco, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep
Bracey Barker Sr. F Maine Bar Harbor, Maine/Mount Desert Island
Ashley Underwood Sr. G Maine Augusta, Maine/Cony
Jessica Smith Sr. F Stony Brook Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler
Danielle Clark Sr. F New Hampshire Corinna, Maine/Nokomis Regional

Coach of the Year
Jennifer Rizzotti, Hartford

Rookie of the Year
Courtnay Pilypaitis, Vermont*

Defensive Player of the Year
Whitney Edwards, New Hampshire

2006-07 America East Player of the Game
Danielle Clark, New Hampshire

Fans’ Choice Player of the Year
Katie Meinhardt, Boston U.

Player of the Year
Mykeema Ford, Stony Brook

The Hawks Have Arrived

The Hartford women's basketball team arrived in Binghamton at approximately 10 p.m. last night, stopping en route to enjoy a home-cooked meal with Katie Kelley's family in Syracuse. It's time for the tournament banquet this morning where the post-season awards will be announced. Stay tuned.

Ask Your Questions Here For Jen Rizzotti Radio Show

Please reply to this post to submit a question or comment for the Jen Rizzotti Radio Show, sponsored by Nestle Purina Pet Care, to air live from Binghamton on Thursday night from 6 to 7 p.m. (ESPN Radio 1410 AM)

You may also call in your questions Thursday night to speak directly with Coach Rizzotti. The phone number is 860.247.ESPN (3776).

Bonus Jen Rizzotti Radio Show Thursday

A bonus edition of the Jen Rizzotti Radio Show, sponsored by Nestle Purina Pet Care, will air liveo n ESPN Radio 1410 (AM) on Thursday night from 6 to 7 p.m., courtside from the America East Women's Basketball Championship on the campus of Binghamton University.

Fans are encouraged to phone in their comments and questions to 860.247.ESPN (3776). Questions can also be sent until 4 p.m. Thursday via the above post on this Hawks HoopBlog.

America East Championship Schedule

2007 America East Women’s Basketball Championship
at Events Center (Binghamton, N.Y.)
Thursday, March 8: First Round
Game 1 - No. 9 New Hampshrie vs. No. 8 Albany, 7 p.m.

Friday, March 9: Quarterfinals
Game 2 - No. 7 UMBC vs. No. 2 Stony Brook, 12 noon
Game 3 - No. 6 Maine vs. No. 3 Vermont, 2 p.m.

Game 4 - Winner No. 8/9 vs. No. 1 Hartford 6 p.m.
Game 5 - No. 5 Boston U. at No. 4 Binghamton, 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 10: Semifinals
Game 6 - Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3, 5 p.m. (AETV - NESN/TW3)
Game 7 - Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m. (AETV - NESN/TW3)

Sunday, March 11: Championship
Game 8 - Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 7, 5 p.m. - (AETV - NESN/FSNY/MSG)