Coach Ralph has earned the opportunity to take the reins of our womens basketball program and transform it into what we all know is possible, Lee said. Garrick became the head coach at UMass Lowell in 2018 and has also served in assistant roles at Boston College and Rhode Island. As one of the most celebrated student-athletes in womens basketball history, Ralph ranks eighth in UConns storied record book with 1,678 points. Her college career was decorated. Exclusive, subscriber-only content and weekly email newsletters. I know everyone here at UConn is incredibly excited for Shea. (Twitter/@VandyWBB), Betsy Goodfriend, Deputy Sports Editor April 13, 2021. The Commodores also quickly embraced a collaborative spirit under Ralphs guidance. Ralph graduated from Connecticut in 2001 with a degree in exercise physiology. [5] Ralph was named a High School All-American by the WBCA. We know you have many choices and appreciate you investing in us and the future of journalism. Ralph was the subject of a spirited recruiting battle, a natural consequence of her abilities leading to national high school player of the year honors. The low point came in a game against Big East rival Notre Dame in January, a match-up between two undefeated teams ranked number one and number two in the country. However, he did, and Ralph became an assistant at UConn in 2008. UConn women's basketball assistant coach Shea Ralph has been named the head coach of the Vanderbilt University women's basketball team. She opted to sit out the first year so her knees could recover, but she never ended up playing in the league. [9], Shea Ralph Statistics[35] at University of Connecticut, Ralph was named to the team representing the US in 2000 at the William Jones Cup competition in Taipei, Taiwan. Cambridge recorded the programs first postseason triple-double during the SEC Tournament, while she and Moore contributed to a program-record 17 3-pointers against Alabama State on Dec. 28, 2021. Exclusive, subscriber-only content and weekly email newsletters. I know everyone here at UConn is incredibly excited for Shea. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Donate to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Challenge. After finishing her college playing career and reaching the conclusion she would not be able to continue as a professional, Ralph joined the Hartford, Connecticut school system in 2002 to implement a "strength and conditioning program at the high school and middle school levels." Ralph, married to former Vanderbilt women's basketball assistant Tom Garrick, was inside Memorial Gymnasium as recently as Nov. 13, 2019, when UConn beat Vanderbilt 64-51. Ralph played a key role in recruiting and working with several players who would go on to become some of the best players in the WNBA. Stats. . The Commodores were 4-4 in 2020-21. UMass Lowell improved in record each year under his watch the River Hawks went 7-22 in 2018-19, 16-15 in 2019-20 and 12-9 last season with a shortened schedule due to COVID-19. Vanderbilt has hired Shea Ralph away from UConn to help revive the Commodores' struggling women's basketball program. [39], However, Ralph decided to get back into basketball and joined the University of Pittsburgh the following year. Original reporting that provides diverse perspectives on news and issues of today. Ralph's husband is former Vanderbilt women'sassistant coachTom Garrick, who was with the team from 2009-15. Years before Vanderbilt basketball head coach Shea Ralph's generation helped set a standard for women who aspire and act to change the world through sports, her mother, Marsha Lake, traveled to . He served on the support staff with Ralph under Geno Auriemma at Connecticut for five national title teams. As a student-athlete at Connecticut, Ralph finished her career with 1,678 points to rank eighth in the Huskies storied record book. Ralph, 43, played for Geno Auriemma at UConn from 1996-2001, earning All-America honors and helping the Huskies win the 2000 NCAA title. Shortly thereafter, she made a recruiting visit to UConn, and told the coach she was ready to commit to Connecticut. The final game was against Malaysia, but it wasn't close, with the US winning 7924, to secure a 40 record for the competition and the gold medal. Berenato knew exactly why he had called and responded, "I hope you don't get what you are calling for." Staley's new deal comes with a $1 million base salary plus $2 million in supplemental pay. She can be reached at elizabeth.goodfriend@vanderbilt.edu. Ralph was the team's leading scorer, averaging twelve points per game.[36]. Although Ralph was selected by the Utah Starzz in the 2001 WNBA draft, continued knee injuries ended her on-court career. Shea Ralph: Head Coach: Tom Garrick: Associate Head Coach: Ashley Earley: Assistant Coach Recruiting Coordinator: Kevin DeMille . From 2009 to 2015 he served as a women's basketball assistant coach at Vanderbilt University before moving on to Boston College for three seasons. While Ralph did not confirm Garrick's hiring on Wednesday, she did acknowledge that he is moving to Nashville. Roster. Prior to returning to UConn as an assistant, Ralph spent five seasons at the University of Pittsburgh from 2003-08. Reach Joe Spears at jspears2@gannett.com or 731-343-4923. We're going to miss her tremendously she brought passion and energy to everything she did in. She was named Athlete of the Year by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "[38] The position was not without controversy. she said, "That's about it."[41]. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears7. She focused on coaching guards as well as player development and recruitment according to her UConn biography. American college basketball player and coach, Current women's basketball head coaches of the, Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball head coaches, Big East Conference Women's Basketball Freshman of the Year, Big East Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year, Big East Women's Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player, List of Connecticut women's basketball players with 1000 points, "Ralph to Lead Vanderbilt Women's Basketball", "North Carolina High School Athletic Association", "WBCA High School All-America Game Box Scores", "Connecticut turns up defensive heat, scorches Tennessee for national title", "Shea Ralph | CT Women's Basketball Hall of Fame", "Women's Basketball 1995 National Championship Team to be Recognized as "Huskies of Honor", "Pitt finishes season losing 12 in a row", "COLLEGE BASKETBALL; Former UConn Star Trades Dreams", "PAST HONDA SPORTS AWARD WINNERS FOR BASKETBALL", "ALL-TIME NCHSAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENT RECORDS", "Shea Ralph hires husband Tom Garrick as Vanderbilt women's basketball associate head coach", NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shea_Ralph&oldid=1142314692, All-American college women's basketball players, Basketball players from Raleigh, North Carolina, Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball coaches, Sportspeople from Raleigh, North Carolina, Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball coaches, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 6x NCAA champion (assistant) (200910, 201316), 1995 USA Today National High School Player of the Year, Most steals in a season (second place) (251), Most steals in a career (second place) (701), Most points in a sophomore season (second place) (818), Most points in a season by a junior (1,135), Most points in a season by a senior (1,049), Most points in a single tournament game (52), This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 18:43. Were going to miss her tremendously she brought passion and energy to everything she did in Storrs. Ralph started her coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh in 2003. In Big East play, the team only lost two games in four seasons for a combined record of 662. Then, "an agonizing scream pierce[d] the air" which prompted commentator Robin Roberts to cry "Shea Ralph, oh goodness, oh no," recognizing that Ralph had yet again torn an ACL. Coach Ralph has earned the opportunity to take the reins of our womens basketball program and transform it into what we all know is possible, Lee said. Some felt that the salary paid was out of line with her education credentials. Shea Ralph was named the sixth head coach in Vanderbilt womens basketball history on April 13, 2021. Ralph has spent the last 13 seasons as an assistant. Since then, she has been a part of a coaching staff that has led the Huskies to six more national championships, including four in a row from 2013-2016. In the Championship game against Tennessee, she scored 15 points on seven of eight shooting. But if you suck, you won't play at all." Garrick, a former NBA player, will be his. Ralph wasted no time helping individual student-athletes realize their full potential. After an excellent junior season, Ralph was less productive in the beginning of her senior season. Nine starters transferred out of the program during Whites tenure, including three just last month. Ralph is an experienced coach with a demonstrated history of success in womens basketball. She turned the program around, leading the Panthers to their first NCAA Regional round in school history. The Hustler reserves the right to remove comments that contain vulgarity, hate speech, personal attacks or that appear to be spam, commercial promotion or impersonation. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) Vanderbilt has hired UConn assistant Shea Ralph as its next women's basketball coach. [2] She was previously an assistant coach at UConn from 2008 to 2021. The men's basketball team did not have an associate head coach that year. NASHVILLE, Tenn. One of womens college basketballs most respected and well-known coaches will usher in a new era of success for Vanderbilt as Shea Ralph, a seven-time national champion as a student-athlete and coach, has been named womens basketball head coach. She mentored standouts like Paige Bueckers, who in 2020-21 became the first freshman to sweep the major national player-of-the-year awards: the Naismith Trophy, Associated Press Player of the Year, USBWA National Player of the Year, Lieberman Award and Wooden Award. At the time of the award she held 17 state basketball records, including 39.1 points per game as a junior, a 71.6 percent shooting percentage from the floor as a junior, and 18 assists in one game. Ralph, despite five ACL surgeries, filled in and helped lead by example. He played at the highest level, and hes coached for decades.. Were going to miss her tremendously she brought passion and energy to everything she did in Storrs. Ralph also helped recruitPaige Bueckers who was the No. The appointment Tuesday of Ralph as the sixth head coach in Vanderbilt womens basketball history will be followed by an official introductory press conference at 1 p.m. CT Wednesday. Coach Ralph brings a wealth of experience from her time as both a student-athlete and coach at one of the nations most storied programs. Ralph, a graduate of UConn, has been an assistant coach for the Huskies for the past 13 years. Peabody EDI Office responds to MSU shooting with email written using ChatGPT, SAE bids students affiliated with former DKE chapter after denouncing underground organizations, GUEST EDITORIAL: Vanderbilt Chose Not to Expel My Rapist, Bubble Watch? Full access on your desktop, tablet and mobile device. She was also an assistant under Balcomb from 2013-16 and helped recruit multiple top-20 classes. .. Garrick was most recently the head coach of UMass Lowells womens basketball program. She went on to have a great senior season in high school. Athletic director Candice Lee announced the hiring Tuesday morning, April 13, 2021, a week after firing Stephanie White. Ralph was growing up in North Carolina and her name was a "household word since she was eleven years old". I owe it to myself, I owe it to our student-athletes and I owe it to the university to make sure that the right people are in place. Ralph, a graduate of UConn, has been an assistant coach for the Huskies for the past 13 years. Twenty-four hours a day he's going," Ralph said, jokingly. She came to UConn as the National High School Player of the Year, and she was named the Big East Rookie of the Year as a freshman. 1 picks in the WNBA along with 21 other WNBA draft picks and nine top-five picks. Harbison had nine points, and Demi Washington had eight points and six rebounds. "Shea has had a huge impact on the UConn womens basketball program, as both a player and a coach. Shea Sydney Ralph (born March 12, 1978)[1] is a former collegiate basketball player and current head coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball team. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Vanderbilt has hired Shea Ralph away from UConn to help revive the Commodores' struggling women's basketball program, which hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament since 2014. Ralph cited late-game fatigue as a factor in the large scoring margin. Garrick is the women's coach at UMass Lowell. 1 overall selections: Tina Charles, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart. [ UConn women's basketball assistant, alum Shea Ralph named head coach at Vanderbilt ] The Commodores went 4-4 before canceling their season in January due to COVID-19 and injuries. Athletic director Candice Lee announced the hiring Tuesday, a week after firing Stephanie White following five seasons. [17] She also earned national freshman of the year honors from both the United States Basketball Writers Association and The Sporting News. She was the most outstanding player of the 2000 NCAA tournament, when the Huskies won their . Full access on your desktop, tablet and mobile device. Nevertheless, Ralph's overall tournament production earned her a position on the all-tournament team. As a junior, she led UConn to a national title and earned awards including the Sports Illustrated Women Player of the Year and Big East Player of the Year. "We haven't made any decisions right now; I'm not ready to talk about that. AP Sports Writer Pat Eaton-Robb in Connecticut contributed to this report. [14][15] She was enrolled at the university for five years, with a medical redshirt in her second year, 199798. During her time with the Huskies, she recruited and worked with players like Paige Bueckers, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart while mentoring 21 WNBA draft picks, including nine top-five picks and three No. The Vanderbilt Hustler welcomes and encourages readers to engage with content and express opinions through the comment sections on our website and social media platforms. I have always been motivated and inspired by people who have a passionate pursuit of excellence. Vanderbilt womens basketball has found its, Ralph, a graduate of UConn, has been an assistant coach for the Huskies for the past 13 years. Ralph said that Garrick's prior experience at Vanderbilt played a role in her comfort with taking the job, as he advocated for the program and its potential. [12] Another premier program, the University of Tennessee, was also very interested in Ralph. The comment sections are moderated by our Editor-in-Chief, Rachael Perrotta, and our Social Media Director, Chloe Postlewaite. [31] UConn went on to win the game on a buzzer-beater by Sue Bird, but Ralph's college career was over. UConn's Shea Ralph heads to Vanderbilt as new women's basketball head coach. The experience convinced her that she wanted to become a head coach, but she recognized she had a lot to learn. New Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph brings a unique connection to West End her husband, Tom Garrick, was an assistant at Vanderbilt from 2009 to 2015 under former coach Melanie Balcomb. Hes one of the brightest minds in the game, and hes passionate about it. Its not easy, but theyre out there and Shea knows where to look. Ralph will replace Stephanie White, who was fired last week after going 46-83 in five seasons at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilts rich, storied tradition of excellence speaks for itself, but I believe what sets us apart is the people," Ralph said. In her free time, she enjoys online shopping, creating to-do lists and watching football even if she has no interest in either team playing. She suffered five ACL injuries in her career,[3] two of which led to sitting out the 199798 season. She helped win a national championship as a player at the University of Connecticut in 2000 and won numerous individual awards, including the Sports Illustrated for Women Player of the Year and the Honda Sports Award for the best collegiate female athlete in basketball. Ralph, who graduated from Connecticut in 2001, was captain of the Huskies' 2000 national championship team and was named MVP of that Final Four. [25] She played on the USA Basketball 2000 Jones Cup Team that won the gold in Taipei.[26]. Vanderbilt women's basketball coach Shea Ralphs talks nabbing position. Earleys other stops as an assistant were at Penn State (2019-21), Northern Kentucky (2017-19), Virginia (2012-13), Marquette (2010-12), Rhode Island (2009-10), Tennessee Tech (2007-09) and Alabama (2006-07). KNOXVILLE Shea Ralph and Brinae Alexander agreed: Despite the scoreboard in Vanderbilt's 66-52 loss to Tennessee, Sunday was one of the Commodores' best performances in Ralph's first season as coach of the Commodores. Vanderbilt has hired Shea Ralph away from UConn to help revive the Commodores' struggling women's basketball program, which hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament since 2014. She participated in the WBCA High School All-America Game in 1996, scoring twelve points. Coach Ralph has earned the opportunity to take the reins of our women's basketball program and transform it into what we all know is possible. The No. Its an amazing opportunity to be at such a great university in a great city. 1 player in the country in the 2020 class and won the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy and AP Player of the Year awards as a freshman in 2020-21. Shea Ralph Head Coach phone 615.343.8482 Email chris.brann@vanderbilt.edu Shea Ralph was named the sixth head coach in Vanderbilt women's basketball history on April 13, 2021. Shes been recruiting at that level for a long, long time now.. Earley, who will serve as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, was an All-American player and 1,000-point career scorer at Vanderbilt from 2001-05. We know you have many choices and appreciate you investing in us and the future of journalism. She began her coaching career at Pittsburgh in 2003 before returning to UConn in 2008. In 2000 Ralph captained the team to the national championship and at the Final Four, was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. [6], In 1996 she was named the USA Today National High School Player of the Year. Head coach Kevin Ollie was paid just under $2.8 million. But we know shes going to do amazing things at Vanderbilt and we wish her the best.. Womens basketball is slated to get its own dedicated practice court along with improvements to the locker room and offices. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) Vanderbilt has hired UConn assistant Shea Ralph as its next womens basketball coach. Ralph was drafted by the WNBA Utah Starzz, but recurring knee problems prevented her from embarking on a professional career. Vanderbilts rich, storied tradition of excellence speaks for itself, but I believe what sets us apart is the people. The West End just got another dose of eastern NCs finest! Vanderbilt opted out of the season in January with a roster thinned because of COVID-19 issues, injuries, one player with myocarditis and another recovering from an ACL injury. Ralph called Geno Auriemma, the Connecticut coach, to ask what kind of role he envisioned for her at UConn. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File). My husband, if you know him, he doesn't mince words. "I am so excited to work alongside our amazing community in elevating our womens basketball program back to an elite level.. Wright, Commodores stun Kentucky to keep NCAA hopes alive, Chancellor Diermeier calls ChatGPT-crafted response to MSU shooting unfortunate, discusses AI in the classroom, Debrief with Diermeier: Campus expansions, ChatGPT, local politics and more, PODCAST: Does Vanderbilt have a path to NCAA tournament? [20], In her junior year (19992000), she was named captain of the team that went on to win the national championship. A knee injury kept her from playing in the WNBA after she was drafted by the Utah Starzz in 2001. Vanderbilt has hired Shea Ralph away from UConn to help revive the Commodores' struggling women's basketball program. In her inaugural season, Ralph led Vanderbilt to its first postseason appearance since 2014. In leading UConn to a national championship in 2000, Ralph was named an All-American and Big East Player of the Year. Ralph was an assistant at Pitt before joining Auriemma's staff in 2008. [2] [3] He was the head women's basketball coach at UMass Lowell from 2018 to 2021, before he returned to Vanderbilt as an assistant to his wife Shea Ralph , who became head coach there. He has spent the past three seasons as womens coach at UMass Lowell. Auriemma said it will take time for Ralph to turn around the program, but he believes she can do it without sacrificing the school's high academic standards. She also had six steals and seven assists, prompting teammate Marci Czel to nickname her Tournament Shea. As a national high school player of the year in Fayetteville, North Carolina, she gained immediate acclaim in a Connecticut program that was emerging as a perennial powerhouse. The conference will be streamed live on VUCommodores.com and official athletics social media accounts. "[13], Ralph attended the University of Connecticut from 1996 to 2001, wearing uniform number 33, and graduating with a B.A. That included a 63-59 victory against No. In all, Ralph accrued the second-most wins of any womens basketball coach in a debut season. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 1 overall selections. UConn assistant Shea Ralph named Vanderbilt women's basketball coach, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. During the four years she played full or partial seasons, UConn had a record of 13010. Ralph was named the Big East Rookie of the Year. Lee, who had the interim tag taken off last May as athletic director, played basketball for Vanderbilt from 1998-2002, when the Commodores made back-to-back Elite Eights. She averaged 16.7 points a game as a sophomore, the highest mark of her career. I would like to congratulate Shea on being named the head coach at Vanderbilt University, Auriemma said. Ralph's mother, Marsha (Mann) Lake, was an All-American basketball player for the University of North Carolina. He was an assistant with the Vanderbilt womens basketball team from 2009-2015. Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt logos are registered trademarks of Vanderbilt University, 2022 Vanderbilt University . Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website, student-athlete mental health and performance, prospective student-athlete questionnaire, NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete, Mr. C and Spirit Squad Appearance Requests. [9] Playing basketball was her first love, and benching her from playing did get her to eat;[8] however, that only lasted until her first ACL tear. She focused on coaching guards as well as player development and recruitment according to her UConn biography. Ralph, one of the most popular players in program history, was named head coach at Vanderbilt on Tuesday. Ralph is married to former NBA player and fellow coach Tom Garrick, who is a member of her coaching staff at Vanderbilt.[48]. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Vanderbilt has its new women's basketball coach in longtime UConn assistant Shea Ralph. One day at a post-game dinner he placed a hundred-dollar bill next to a plate of mozzarella sticks and told her the money was hers if she would just eat the mozzarella. She was instrumental in a period of unprecedented success, helping the Panthers improve from single-digit victories to at least 22 victories in each of her final three seasons. The most comprehensive coverage of the Vanderbilt Women's Basketball on the web with highlights, scores, game summaries, schedule and rosters. The hiring of Coach Ralph ushers in a new era for Vanderbilt womens basketball, Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. Ralph was an instrumental figure in recruiting and player development with the Huskies. In her first press conference after becoming Vanderbilt's new women's basketball head coach, Shea Ralph breaks down key qualities she looks for in a player and what it means to be the new coach of the Lady Commodores. Did you have to [get it] in the paper? Ralph and the Huskies would go on to finish that season 29-3 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and they finished the . [9] Her AAU coach, John Ellington, was concerned about her eating habits. Her energy, optimism and bold ambitions perfectly align with our vision of an athletics program that emboldens our mission to compete and succeed at the highest levels.. (Top photo of Shea Ralph: Courtesy of Vanderbilt University) Get all-access to exclusive stories. Ralph became a coach after playing career ended due to multiple ACL tears in college. New Vanderbilt womens basketball coach Shea Ralph hired her husband, Tom Garrick, and former Vanderbilt star player Ashley Earley on her staff. [16], In her freshman year (199697) the UConn team won every game of their regular season schedule (270) and went on to win the Big East tournament, completing an undefeated regular season with a 300 record. 0:49 Vanderbilt women's basketball coach Shea Ralph said the decision to dismiss center Amauri Williams from the team was not a difficult one. Head coach Kevin Ollie was paid just under. Uconn won the Big East Regular season championship and the post-season Big East tournament championship all four years. Ralph has spent the last 13 seasons as an assistant coach with the Huskies. Ralph finished her college career with 1,678 points to rank eighth in school history. 7 Vanderbilt battles back against Austin Peay to pick up sixth win of the season, 11-7, Vanderbilt looks to make a run in SEC tournament as 12 seed, The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University, Betsy Goodfriend, Former Deputy Sports Editor, 2023 | The Hustler is not operated by Vanderbilt University. In the press release, athletic director Candice Storey Lee expressed her excitement for Ralphs hire. She also ranks among the programs all-time top 10 in career assists (456), steals (252) and field goal percentage (57.9). The prospect of not playing basketball persuaded her to eat. Stanford just won a national championship with that kind of kid that is looking for that kind of experience," he said. Athletic director Candice Lee announced the hiring Tuesday morning, April 13, 2021, a week after firing Stephanie White. While serving as a coach at her alma mater, Ralph helped guide the Huskies to 12 Final Four appearances and six national championships, including a record four consecutive titles from 2013-16. 2023 www.tennessean.com. As an All-American guard and later as an assistant coach under Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma at Connecticut, she was part of 12 Final Four appearances. Betsy Goodfriend ('21) was the Deputy Sports Editor for The Vanderbilt Hustler. High School Reunion Tournament, Vanderbilt admits 15.7% of early decision applicants, record low, Black Cultural Center and student groups host Black History Month programming throughout February, BREAKING: Commodores lose Liam Robbins for the season, Womens Golf: The Commodores secure eighth place at Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, VandyBoys Series Preview: Battling the Big Ten at the Cambria College Classic, Vanderbilt sweeps MTSU in last dual match before SEC play, WEITZEL: The heartbreak may not ever end, but we should still fight it, Lacrosse: After a thrilling fourth quarter, Vanderbilt falls short to Louisville, GUEST EDITORIAL: Vanderbilt administrators, speak up for trans students before its too late, Defending the Crown: Vanderbilt Bowling wins Stallings Invitational, Swimming: Vanderbilt takes on SEC Championships, No. Three starters transferred after the season, two of them graduates. A 2001 graduate of UConn, Ralph spent the last 13 seasons in Storrs as an assistant coach. She had a hand in recruiting Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart who would be No. It began with an offhand comment by a teammate, telling her she looked a "little thick". Although the dismissal left the Commodores with. He was an assistant with the Vanderbilt womens basketball team from 2009-2015. With her help, the Huskies made 12 Final Fours and won six national championships. Many programs pursued her, but two schools appeared to have better chances than Connecticut.