Watts, Chryssandra

“Basketball was the springboard for my success in life,” says Chryssandra Watts.

A forward/center at Bristol Eastern High School from 1980 through 1984, Chryssandra Watts averaged 15 points and 16 rebounds per game during her high school basketball career.

In 1983, Bristol Eastern High School won the CIAC Class L State Championship. In 1983 and '84, Chryss played forward on the New England AAU Girls' Basketball Team, captured the CIAC Class L Long-Jump Championship in Track and Field, and was named All-State in basketball, volleyball, and track in 1984.

Tony Floyd coached Chryss throughout her four years of basketball at Bristol Eastern. He watched her compete in other school sports as she became “one of the best-all-around athletes to come out of Bristol Eastern.” Floyd had the opportunity to see her grow and mature. Chryss “was a team leader early-on and everyone looked up to her. She had a great competitive spirit, bonded well with her peers, had a positive attitude, lots of heart and desire, and this all made her a leader both on and off the court. This also brought her respect from school officials and those who attended our basketball games. I admired her ability to communicate with everyone.”

Bristol-Eastern High School wisely named Chryssandra Watts to the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame.

At the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Chryss played guard/forward for Coach Jennifer Alley and Sylvia Hatchell. In Track and Field, Chryssandra's specialties were the long-jump, triple jump and heptathlon. Her efforts helped UNC win the 1988 ACC Championship.

Chryssandra Watts is a two-time Olympian in Team Handball (1992 and 1996). In 1995 and ’96, Chryss was named Female Team Handball Athlete of the Year. In 1994-96, Chryssandra was team captain for the National and Olympic team.

For three years, Chryssandra served on the Board of Directors for Team Handball and for two years, on the United States Olympic High Performance Planning Committee.