Connecticut
Women's Basketball
 Hall Of Fame

CENTER COURT
Newsletter of the
Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
DATE:  3/1/00

Ann Fariss, President/Executive Director        Louise Albrecht, Treasurer/Membership Chairperson
Linda Wooster, Secretary                                   Lee Franzman, Nominating Chairperson
Brenda Reilly, Founder                                        Laura Raftery, Board Member
Cindy Adamski, Board Member                        Tony Candido, Fund Raising Chairperson
Lynn Spagnesi, Computer Consultant              Jean Hunt, Historian/Archivist
Pat Mascia, Publicity/Promotion                       Marge Dolan, Board Member
Pat Nicol, Editor, Center Court

DRIBBLE…. The Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame will be celebrating its 13th year of existence and first of the new millennium April 13, 2000 at 500 Blake Street Café in New Haven.  The festivities "tap off" at  6:00 p.m. with a cash bar, followed by dinner and our awards presentation.  The significance of the celebration becomes increasingly heightened each year, as the evening becomes a tangible demonstration of the fantastic growth and continued development of the sport we love so dearly.  It will be an evening to recognize those individuals whom have laid the foundation and paved the way for the opportunities that now exist for so many women.  The evening will also serve to honor and induct six outstanding new individuals whom have assisted tremendously in bringing acclaim, honor and distinction to the sport of women's basketball in our state.  As always, we welcome your input and support throughout the year, and especially your attendance at out banquet to acknowledge those special people who have contributed so much.  We hope to see you on the 13th. 

2000 Inductees….                Mr. Peter Shuler                             High School Coach
                                               Ms. Kelly Penwell-Marshall         High School Player
                                               Mr. Donald Foust                           College Coach
                                               Ms. Tracey Finer                            College Player (Small)
                                               Ms. Grace Macfarland                   Referee
                                               Ms. Sarah Jane Shearer                 Honorary   

For information and reservations concerning this year's celebration, please contact Ann Fariss at 76 W. Hillside Ave., Stratford, CT 06615  (Tel:  203-378-6581).

Milestone… . Congratulations to Fairfield University's Head Coach Dianne Nolan who notched her 400th career win on December 8, 1999.  Coach Nolan, now in her 21styear at the helm of the Stags and 26th coaching season overall, improved her career mark to 400-302.

The Blizzard arrive to Heat up URI Women's Basketball…    Former N.E. Blizzard coaching duo Belinda "Boe" Pearman and K.C. Jones have reunited at the helm of the University of Rhode Island Women's Basketball Program.  Although their roles have changed (Boe is now the Head Coach with K.C. as her noteworthy Assistant), it will only be a matter of time before this talented coaching staff transforms Rhody into significant Atlantic 10 Conference contenders.

Homecoming….  1991 inductee Ann Odoy returns to her alma-mater to join forces with her former high school coach, David Strong at Masuk High School.  After living in the Virgin Islands for several years, Odoy is back in the states and will assume the role of assistant girls basketball coach and will also serve as one of the school's guidance counselors.

CWBHOF on the web?…. One of the initiatives the CWBHOF is presently undertaking is the development of our own basketball website.  Research is underway to determine the feasibility of establishing a site to increase our exposure, enhance communication among our basketball community and to serve as a venue for updates and educational resources.  More information about the project will be forthcoming.

NCAA Basketball Rules Change… Use of Video to Assess Last-Second Shots in Basketball Approved…  Officials' use of court-side replay equipment or television monitoring to determine whether to allow or disallow a last second game determining field goal under specific circumstances was passed by the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Rules Committee during a conference call January 24.

Update from NCAA Women's Basketball Fall Committee Meeting… The Division I Women's Basketball Committee held its fall meeting Oct. 25-27, 1999 in Philadelphia Pa., host of the 2000 Women's Final Four.  The Committee took the following actions:
         The first semifinal game will tip at 7 p.m. EST on March 31, 2000, second game immediately following.·
         The Championship game will tip in prime time at 9 p.m. EST on April 2, 2000
         Committee voted to resubmit the proposal to the NCAA championships and competition cabinet recommending a change in the women's format for 2001.  The new format would place 1st and 2ndround games at pre-determined sites.  Currently these games are played at the home sites of the top 16 seeds in the bracket allowing only four to five days preparation for the host.  The new format would maintain the current 16-site format, hosting four teams at each site.  However, the sites would be pre-determined 9-12 months prior to the 2001 Championship.  All NCAA Division I institutions and/or conferences would have the opportunity to bid to host 1stand 2nd round games.  The committee believes predetermined sites for the early rounds are an excellent intermediate step toward moving the championship to all neutral sites in the future.

Additionally, it was felt that the change would improve the competitive environment for the student athletes and NCAA member institutions and create a better opportunity for media coverage.

Other issues discussed included regional final tip times, the selection of television talent, a promotional campaign for the 2000 Tournament, moving the dates for the championship and progress on the increased NCAA staffing for the women's championship.

The Hoopla at Hoop City…. All your fantasies can come true at Hoop City.  The entire family can enjoy the exciting interactive fan festival that is held in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Final Four.  You do not have to be a kid to enjoy all the unique and entertaining interactive events.  So grab a ball and join the fun at NCAA Hoop City at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where you will be on center court.

Dates and Hours:      Friday, March 31        Noon – 8 p.m.
                                     Saturday, April 1        10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
                                     Sunday, April 2           Noon – 6 p.m.
Tickets $7.00 (adults)
              $5.00 College students, Sr. citizens (55+ w/ appropriate ID), kids ages 3-11. Free (ages 2/ under)           

Contribution to the Cause… .The CWBHOF Committee is determined to provide maximum service to/for Connecticut Women's Basketball.  To give you the best we have to give and to stay abreast with the increasing demands of operating our initiatives, we would welcome any financial contributions to defray our operating costs.  If interested, please contact Louise Albrecht at 203-256-0930.  Thank you.