Rajcula, Jody

Jody Rajcula graduated from Brookfield High School where she earned All-League and All-State honors during her senior year. She continued her education at Southern CT State College, which reigned as AIAW Northeast Champions for three years. Her 1,321 career points were #3 on Southern’s All-Time list. She pulled down 240 rebounds in one season and held the school career rebounding record (763.)

Among Rajcula’s many honors were the Women’s Newsletter Award for highest field goal percentage in the East; Best Defensive Player in 1978; team MVP; team captain; Kodak All-Region; and a nominee for Kodak All-American. After graduation, Rajcula played in the professional Women’s Basketball League.

Rajcula became coach of the Western Connecticut State University basketball program in 1981 during its infancy. Before retiring, Rajcula compiled ten 20-win seasons and led the Colonials to 10 NCAA Division II tournament appearances. Western either qualified for the NCAAs or the ECAC New England tournament during all of the 16 seasons from 1984-2000. Rajcula com-piled a 383-168 record in her 21 seasons at Western as she clearly emerged as one of the top coaches in New England.