Connecticut
Women's Basketball
 Hall Of Fame

2005 Inductee Biographies

Dave Maloney – High School Coach
Dave Maloney developed his enthusiasm for basketball as a kid playing against his brother in the backyard.  At Branford High School, Dave participated in three sports – cross country, basketball, and golf.  During his high school years, the cross country team won two Housatonic Leauge titles and had an undefeated season and the basketball team had a second place finish.  During his senior year, Dave was Student Council President, Captain of the Golf and Basketball Teams, won the Savitt Jewelers Sportsmanship Award (basketball), the MVP for the golf team, and graduated with academic Honors.

Dave played freshman football at the University of Vermont, leading the team in interceptions as a defensive back.  He was also an exceptional golfer for all four years.  Following graduation, Dave accepted a teaching position in the Science Department at the Branford Intermediate School.  There, he initiated the girls' and boys' basketball teams and achieved a 83% winning record, before moving up to coach at Branford High School.

The year 1979 marked the start of a decade of impressive girls' basketball at BHS!  As head coach of the Lady Hornets from '79–'89, Dave's teams accumulated 154 wins, (74%), and captured 2 consecutive Housy League and Class L Championships.  In 1983, BHS went undefeated (24 – 0),  ranked #5 ranking in Parade Magazine, and #8 in the USA Today Poll.  During this two-year run, Dave's teams won 45 consecutive home games and set new Lady Hornets records for assists, steals, and blocked shots. 

Dave has received numerous honors.  He received the New Haven Board #10 Phil Casman Sportsmanship Award (1983), was named the New Haven Tap-Off Club Coach of the Year (1984), and honored as CHSCA Coach of the Year (1986).  In 1997 he was inducted into the Branford High School Hall of Fame, and in 2002, the New Haven Tap–Off Club Hall of Fame. In 1989, Dave moved from teaching and coaching, to administration.  He is currently the Assistant Principal at BHS.  In 1998, Dave was the CAS Assistant Principal of the Year, and in 1999, he received the Hartford Courant's 1^st Tapestry Award recognizing his efforts in championing and promoting diversity in schools.  Dave also received a CAS Citation, the highest honor that association awards.  Dave's leadership skills and quality of character are exemplary!

In 1984, Dave was appointed to the CIAC Girls' Basketball Committee.  He maintains his commitment and dedication to the growth of girls' basketball in Connecticut as the current CIAC tournament director, and charter member of the CHSCA Girls' Basketball All – Star Game.

Dave credits John Wooden, Dean Smith, and Geno Auriemma with having the greatest influence on his career.  His fondest memory would have to be delaying the start of the CIAC Semi – Finals at Yale's Payne Whitney Gym in order to accommodate a sell out crowd.  If he could change a rule in the game, it would be the shot clock.  He feels that by adding a shot clock to CT High School basketball would improve passing, screening, player movement, shooting, and scoring!  Dave feels strongly about giving back to basketball through service.  He would like to see more young players and coaches get involved with children's hospitals, the Special Olympics, or some other learning project.  Dave resides in Branford with his wife of 33 years, Debbie.  They have two sons, Derek and Jeff.

Willie Roze – College Player
Although statistics may not be available, the name Willie Roze instantly brings to mind outstanding athletic ability and success in women's sports.  During her three years at Hamden High School, she participated in track, badminton, field hockey, volleyball, and, of course, basketball.  She credits High School Coach June Olah, along with College Coach Louise O'Neal and colleague Brenda Reilly as having the most influence on her career. After high school, Willie continued her education at Southern Connecticut State College, where she received her B.S. and M.S. degrees.  She played field hockey and basketball during all four years.  Willie played guard, or 'rover' for basketball Coach Louise O'Neal, on the SCSC team which finished third in the national two times.  Those years produced some of Willie's fondest memories!

Willie initiated the girls' varsity basketball program at Harding High School, Bridgeport, in the early 70's and continued to coach there for two years.  She moved to Hand High School where she coached the girls' basketball and softball teams.  The basketball team made it to the state semifinals only to lose to a team coached by Willie's former high school coach, June Olah.  In addition to her exceptional basketball skills, Willie was an outstanding softball player for the Raybestos Brakettes and exceptional coach at Hand High School.  Willie was an eight-time All American, and inducted into the CT and National Softball Hall of Fames.  She was recently honored for her playing abilities by being inducted into the First Annual Hamden High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

As a result of her success coaching the Hand Softball team, Willie was voted the CHSCA Outstanding Coach in 1982 and was inducted into the CT Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame in 1998. 

Willie has always been interested in sports.  She particularly enjoyed witnessing the growth of the sport of basketball and the development and tremendous improvement in the skill level of the players.  She has also been impressed with the way Connecticut sports fans have embraced women's basketball.  She would advise current young players and coaches to appreciate the foundation of the sport and the struggles female athletes before them have overcome, and to give something back to the sport they love.  Willie retired in 1999 from the Madison School System where she taught physical education and coached girls' softball at Hand High School. She resides in Wallingford and maintains her interests in sports, enjoys biking and playing golf, music and reading.

Dianne Nolan – College Coach
It's no accident or surprise that Dianne Nolan pursued a career in basketball.  The game has been an integral part of her life - she started playing the game in a 6^th grade CYO League. She was surrounded by a family of basketball players.  Dianne's brother played for Temple University and her Mom coached for 36 years, winning many championships.  Dianne was a two-time All Conference player and senior Co-Captain for the Gloucester Catholic High School girls' basketball team.  The team won conference championship every year she was there.  Dianne continued her education at Glassboro State College where she played field hockey, tennis, and basketball all four years while earning a degree in Health and Physical Education

Dianne first coached at St. Francis College in New York.  Her teams accumulated an overall record of 64 – 57 and qualified for post-season play three times.  Dianne moved to Fairfield University in 1979 and recently completed her 26^th season there.  She currently needs only nine victories to reach the 500^th win milestone!  Among Dianne's accomplishments as Lady Stags coach are: 19 winning seasons, six 20-plus win seasons, three MAAC Tournament Championships, three MAAC regular season Titles, four appearances in the NCAA Tournament, a post-season WNIT appearance, a New England Coach of the Year Selection and 5 MAAC Coach of the Year Awards.  She has also been inducted into the Glassboro State, St. Francis College, and Fairfield University Halls of Fame.

Dianne aims to help her players become the best that they can be by emphasizing the importance of teamwork, education, respect and community service through education and community service along with basketball.  She leads by example—having been named the chairperson for Walk for Diabetes in Fairfield, serving on the Board of Directors for the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club in Southport, and having her team volunteer at various shelters.   In recognition of her many accomplishments, Dianne was chosen as an Outstanding Woman in Connecticut for her contribution to women's athletics in the state; received the 'Sterling Spirit' Award by the Sterling House Community Center; and was awarded the New Haven Tap Off Club Dr. Lester Joseph Distinguished Service Award. 

She was a member of the 1990 United States Olympic Festival Coaching Staff, and has served as a clinician at the NCAA Final Four YES Clinic.  Although there have many memorable moments in her Fairfield tenure, Coach Nolan notes that her Fairfield team being selected as an At Large representative to the NCAA Tournament was an extremely special accomplishment.  One of her goals is to get a victory in the NCAA Tournament. 

If  Dianne could change one basketball rule, she would suggest that the 30 second shot clock be changed to 40 seconds with a 10 second backcourt rule.  She advises young players and coaches to always 'give it all they've got' in everything they do.  Dianne resides in Fairfield and is married to Mark Breslin.  They have 3 sons – Zach who attends Fordham University, and twins Andrew and John.

Carol J. Stiff -- Honorary Inductee
Carol and basketball have a long and storied history together.  Her exposure came at a young age.  Uncle Don Donoher was a college coach and the assistant for the 1976 Gold Medal Olympic Team. Carol loved watching the New York Knicks on television.  Carol credits her parents with having the most influence on her career.  They never stopped her from playing or excelling in the game even with five other children heading in different directions!  Carol attended Bernard's High School in Bernardsville, NJ.  She played four years of basketball, field hockey, and softball.  Recruited to play at the college level, Carol came to Southern CT State College to continue her education and play basketball.  She played basketball at SCSC for two years and field hockey for two. Carol graduated with a BS in Physical Education and went on to earn an MS in Human Performance. After her graduation, Carol coached college basketball at Western Connecticut State College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Brown University.  

Basketball has allowed Carol to meet many great people, develop lifelong friendships, build leadership qualities, and learn the philosophy of teamwork. And need we mention, she also loves to discuss 'X's and 'O's!  Perhaps this love of the game led Carol to a career at ESPN.  Presently the Director of Programming and Acquisitions for ESPN, she has had the opportunity to shape and influence the rapid growth of women's basketball and the press coverage it receives. 

During Carol's tenure at ESPN: She created the 1995 Martin Luther King Day match-up between #1 Tennessee and #2 UCONN.  ESPN aired this historical game. Presently this annual battle remains one of the top rivalries in all college sports. 

 In 1995-96, ESPN/ESPN2 televised eight USA National Team games showcasing the team that would represent our country in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.  Working with the USA Basketball National Team was, in part, fulfilling her childhood dream of being an Olympic athlete.  Incidentally, they took home the Gold!  In 1997 as a direct result of the successful USA National Team tour and Olympic Gold, the WNBA was launched on NBC/ESPN/Lifetime. Now entering into their ninth season, the WNBA still remains strong.

In 2001 ESPN and the NCAA agreed on an 11-year contract extension which allowed ESPN to produce all of the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship games.   In 1994, only seven games were nationally televised – currently all 63 games are broadcast!  The 2004 NCAA Women's Championship Game in New Orleans between UCONN and Tennessee remains the most viewed college basketball game, men's or women's, in ESPN's 25-year history!  Carol considers the opportunity to be the 'point guard' for ESPN's commitment to the NCAA Basketball Championship, an honor.  The success of the 2004 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship provided a impetus to venture into new territory.  Now fans of women's college basketball can turn to ESPN networks during the regular season for a primetime game of the week!

 At the 2001 NCAA Women's Final Four in St. Louis, Carol was presented with the Presidential Award by the WBCA for her "tireless commitment" to women's basketball.  She has also been named the Bristol Mentor of the Year by the Bristol Board of Education. While she humbly sees her efforts as "doing her job", these accolades demonstrate how often she far exceeds her job description!  In order for the women's game to continue growing, Carol sees the need for a "National Team Effort".  The commitment and dedication to the game by players, coaches, referees, parents, teachers and organizations, must continue to be strong.  Carol manages to make her contributions through her involvement in the Women's Sports Foundation and WISE (Women in Sports and Events) as well as numerous public speaking engagements.

The game change Carol would recommend is bringing back the jump ball.  She feels the alternating possession sometimes disadvantages the defense. Carol currently resides in Farmington, Ct. where she enjoys outdoor activities with her family. 

Judy Deeb -- Referee
Judy Deeb graduated from Danbury (CT) High School where she played basketball, field hockey, and softball. Judy continued her education at Southern CT State College where she developed an interest in refereeing basketball during an officiating course.  Judy had always been interested in the game and she found she enjoyed the refereeing experience. She credits that college course with starting a long and successful career which has spanned more than 30 years.  During period from 1969 to 1999, Judy was called upon to referee many CIAC State Tournament games and ten State Championships. 

 Judy was a founder of the Greater New Haven Board of Basketball Officials and continued with that organization until 1978.  She was a member of the CBCBO for more than 20 years and served as an Executive Board Member and State Chairperson.

Judy continued her interest in all three sports she played in high school.  She has received several honors for coaching softball and officiating field hockey.  In 1984, she was the CHSCA Softball Coach of the Year and received Regional Coach of the Year honors in 1993, 1997, and 2000.  In 1995 she was inducted into the CHSCA Hall of Fame as the  softball coach at East Lyme High School and currently has 483 wins in that sport.  Since 1971, Judy has also officiated field hockey games.  In 1991 she was named Referee of the Year and inducted into the Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.  Judy was also inducted into the New Agenda Northeast Women's Hall of Fame in 1993.

Judy credits a group of college instructors who promoted Title IX and encouraged women's involvement in sports in the mid 1970's as having the greatest influence in her career.  Among the instructors were Lou Albrecht, Debbie Chin, Ann Fariss, Brenda Reilly, and Carolyn Vanacore.  Judy always hoped to be a role model for young women interested in coaching or refereeing.  Officiating basketball taught her leadership skills, provided a network of colleagues, and opened doors to various opportunities.  Her fondest basketball memory is refereeing her first high school girls' state championship game at the SCSU Field house!

Throughout the years, Judy has encouraged young players, coaches, and referees to study the game, learn the rules, and give something back to the sport.  She feels that the shot clock should be brought back to high school basketball.  She also hopes to see more women involved in playing, coaching, refereeing, and sports administration. Judy currently teaches Physical Education in the East Lyme School System.  Since 1995 she has been a Collegiate Basketball Observer for NCAA Division I Schools. In 2006 Judy was awarded a GOLD KEY by the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance.  Judy hopes to continue her involvement in the game of basketball by evaluating officials or in some other administrative capacity.

Lori Kulo Mathieu – High School Player
Lori Kulo Mathieu became interested in basketball during elementary school while playing outside at recess.  Her first experience in organized basketball came in fourth grade in the Ellington Parks Recreation Program.  As the saying goes, "the rest is history." Lori played hoops at Ellington High School under Coach Ron Hansen from 1979-1983.  During those years, Ellington won the North Central Connecticut Conference Title four straight years and won the State Championship three out of those four years.

Lori's dominance on the court earned her many individual honors.  She was a three time All-NCCC Conference player, was named All-State twice and was recognized as an Honorable Mention All American in her senior year.   Lori's hard work and success in high school helped her attain an important goal – a full scholarship to play basketball at the college level.  Mission accomplished – Lori was awarded a full ride to play at UCONN!

Lori played at UCONN for Coach Geno Auriemma from 1983-1987.  She scored 660 total career points and averaged seven points per game.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Planning.  Lori credits basketball with helping her to focus on academics and she encourages young players to practice, practice, practice! Lori has stayed involved in the game through coaching and organizing youth programs.  She has coached the 5^th and 6^th grade girls at St. James School for the past three years while also helping to coordinate youth instructional leagues.

Off the court, Lori has been a member of the Town of Coventry's Inland Wetlands Agency since 1993, and has been Chairperson since 2000.  In 2004, she was the recipient of a United States EPA Environmental Merit Award for the New England Region. Currently, Lori is a Supervising Environmental Analyst for the State Department of Public Health.  She resides in Coventry with her two children, Kathryn, age 8 and David, age 7.