Roze, Willie

Willie Roze’s reputation as an outstanding athlete is legendary. She was a five-sport athlete at Hamden High School. She was an 8-time All-American and National Hall of Fame Inductee as a softball player for the world-famous Raybestos Brakettes Softball Team. She brought her incredible athletic talents to Southern CT State College when she decided to become a physical education teacher.

Although her SCSC playing statistics are not available, Roze was an important part of the Southern basketball team which twice finished third in the AIAW National Tournament.

Former Southern CT Coach Louise O’Neal recalls Roze as “the ideal basketball player.” She had a “feel” for the game; she could see the whole court and react accordingly. Roze had incredible stamina, intensity and ability to focus. She was the perfect “swing” player – she could play guard or forward. Roze and her teammates set a high standard for future Southern teams.