Joan Joyce has to be one of the most incredible female athletes of all time. She has left an indelible mark on women’s athletics -- creating a legacy that has been instrumental in bringing women’s athletics into the public spotlight.

Karen Yarasavage was a three-sport All-Stater at Milford High School, but her greatest success was in basketball. As a member of Coach Lee Franzman’s team , she played in two con-secutive Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Class M championship games and led Milford to a Cross County Conference crown.

Edwina Qualls coached girls’ basketball at Lee High School in New Haven from 1969 to 1976 and compiled an 82-15 win/loss record.

Mary Jane Hagan worked in the Stamford Public Schools as physical education teacher, assis-tant coordinator, coordinator and director of physical education.

Sue Crisafi, East Haven class of 1980, started every game in her four-year career and is the all-time leading scorer for girls at EH with 1,418 points. As a captain in her senior year, Crisafi was voted All-Housatonic, All-State, All-County, as well as Tap-Off Scholar Athlete. She was a member of the Connecticut Shoot-Out All-Star Team and Junior Olympic Teams in 1980.

Arden Curtis is one of Connecticut’s pioneers in women’s sports. She was a physical education teacher, coach, referee, and activist for girls’ and women’s athletic opportunities at all levels. During her 32-year teaching career, Curtis was a basketball official, gymnastics coach, cross country coach and track coach.

Bethany Collins was a dominating force in CT girls’ basketball. Her Branford High School team won two state titles in 1983 and 1984. The Hornets were 71-4 during her career. Collins was the first player at Branford to score 1,000 points; she set the school record for points in a game (40), points in a season (549), and points in a career (1,339).

A 1975 graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, Joan Bonvicini starred at point guard and earned four varsity letters. Her team went to the AIAW Nationals in all four seasons (1972-75), placing third in ‘73 and ‘74. As team co-captain, she was named the AIAW Regional MVP in ‘75 and was Honorable Mention All-American, as well as a finalist on the ‘76 U.S.