SAINT JOSEPH’S BASKETBALL 2013-14 MEDIA GUIDE Index
Contents The 2013-14 Saint Josephʼs Womenʼs Basketball Media Guide is a publica- 2013-14 Schedule ...... 3 All-Time Numerical Roster ...... 88-89 tion of the Saint Josephʼs University Saint Josephʼs Quick Facts ...... 3 Honors and Awards ...... 90-93 Office of Athletic Communications. Roster ...... 4 Hawks and USA Basketball ...... 94 Roster Breakdown ...... 5 Hawks and International Basketball ...... 94 2013 Atlantic 10 Champions ...... 6-7 Hawks In The Pros ...... 95 WRITING & DESIGN Michael J. Hagan ʻ85 Arena ...... 8 Cradle Of Coaches ...... 96 Jack Jumper Ramsay Basketball Center Dedication ...... 9 Philadelphia Big 5 ...... 97 Ramsay Basketball Center ...... 10 Atlantic 10 Conference ...... 98-99 EDITORIAL & DESIGN ASSISTANCE Casciato Basketball Practice Facility ...... 11 Hawk Classic ...... 100-103 Marie Wozniak Season Preview ...... 12-15 In-Season Tournament Results . . . . .104-105 Heart of a Hawk ...... 16 Postseason Tournament Results ...... 106 EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE Year-By-Year Records ...... 107 Hawk Ball-Handling Kids Club ...... 17 Joe Greenwich Hawk Hill Roundball Club ...... 18 Former Head Coaches ...... 107 Nikki Philpot Cindy Griffin Basketball Camp ...... 19 Year-By-Year Results ...... 108-113 Year-By-Year Line Scores ...... 114 Coaching Staff Year-By-Year Statistical Leaders ...... 115 ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE Head Coach Cindy Griffin ...... 22-24 Team Records ...... 116 Natasha Cloud Associate Head Coach Susan Moran . . . . .25 Individual Records ...... 117-118 Sinead Egan Assistant Coach Stephanie McCaffrey . . . . .26 Career Leaders ...... 119-120 Lauren Fell Assistant Coach Jada Pierce ...... 27 Single-Season Leaders ...... 121-122 John Gibbons Support Staff ...... 28-30 Single-Game Leaders ...... 122 Leah Hansen Saint Josephʼs Among NCAA Leaders . . . .123 Tara Levine Players Results Versus All Opponents ...... 124-132 Anna McCarthy Ciara Andrews ...... 32-33 Opponent SID Directory ...... 132 Kelsey Berger ...... 34-35 Results Versus Ranked Opponents . .133-134 COVER & INTERIOR PHOTOS Natasha Cloud ...... 36-37 Hawks In The Polls ...... 134 Greg Carroccio/Sideline Photos LLC Sarah Fairbanks ...... 38-39 Ilze Gotfrida ...... 40-41 The University OTHER PHOTOS Ashley Robinson ...... 42-43 Saint Josephʼs University ...... 136-137 Greg Carroccio/Sideline Photos LLC Erin Shields ...... 44-45 Maguire Campus ...... 138 Nikki Jones Jordan Strode ...... 46-47 Philadelphia ...... 139 Kate Jumper Lisanne de Jonge ...... 48 Administration ...... 140-141 Zohrab Kazanjian Kathleen Fitzpatrick ...... 49 Athletic Administration ...... 142-144 Rich Krauze Geena Gomez ...... 50 Athletic Staff ...... 145 Mitchell Leff Jessica Pongonis ...... 51 Educational Support Services ...... 146 Larry Levanti Mackenzie Rule ...... 52 Sports Medicine ...... 147 Hawks by Class ...... 53 Student-Athlete Services ...... 148 Jerry Millevoi Brian Lafferty, The Hawk ...... 54 SJU Tradition & Spirit ...... 149 Alan Nilsen Bob Opiola
The Hawk Will Die! Never SJU Athletics Hall of Fame ...... 150-155 2012-13 Year In Review Athletic Communications ...... 156 Ken White Season Recap ...... 56-58 Saint Josephʼs Sports Network ...... 157 Dave Yoblick Statistics ...... 59-61 Media Information ...... 157 Getty Images Individual Game-By-Game Statistics . . .62-65 Hawks On TV And Online ...... 158 NCAA Box Scores And Recaps ...... 66-76 Directory And Facility Information ...... 159 Atlantic 10 Conference Television And Radio Roster ...... 160 Womenʼs Basketball Hall of Fame History & Records USA Basketball/Andrew D. Bernstein Hawks By The Numbers ...... 78-79 USA Basketball/Nathaniel S. Butler Hagan Arena/Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse . .80 AllSport SJU Womenʼs Basketball Hall of Fame . .81-84 Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau Hawks In Other Halls of Fame ...... 84 Retired Jerseys ...... 85 All-Time Alphabetical Roster ...... 86-87 PRINTING Smith-Edwards-Dunlap Philadelphia, Pa.
2 2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 2013-14 Schedule
Day Date Opponent Time Friday November 8 MOUNT ST. MARYʼS ^ ...... 7:00 Sun./Mon. November 10/11 WNIT Quarterfinals ^ ...... TBA Thursday November 14 WNIT Semifinals ^ ...... TBA Sunday November 17 WNIT Championship ^ ...... TBA Wednesday November 20 DREXEL ...... 7:00 Saturday November 23 LIBERTY ...... 2:00 Tuesday November 26 at Princeton ...... 5:30 Sunday December 1 at Quinnipiac ...... 2:00 Wednesday December 4 at Temple # ...... 5:30 Saturday December 7 at Villanova # ...... 2:00 Tuesday December 10 HOFSTRA ...... 7:00 Saturday December 21 at Syracuse ...... 1:00 Sunday December 29 at Florida Gulf Coast ...... 6:00 Thursday January 2 at Richmond * ...... 7:00 Sunday January 5 GEORGE WASHINGTON * (NBCSN) ...... 1:00 Wednesday January 8 RHODE ISLAND * ...... 11:30 a.m. Sunday January 12 at VCU * (CBSSN) ...... 5:00 Friday January 17 PENN # ...... 7:00 Sunday January 19 at La Salle * # (CBSSN) ...... 5:00 Wednesday January 22 at George Washington * ...... 11:00 a.m. Sunday January 26 DAYTON * (NBCSN) ...... 6:00 Wednesday January 29 SAINT LOUIS * ...... 7:00 Saturday February 1 VCU * ...... 2:00 Wednesday February 5 at St. Bonaventure * ...... 7:00
Wednesday February 12 LA SALLE * ...... 7:00 Never Die! Will Hawk The Saturday February 15 at George Mason * ...... 1:00 Tuesday February 18 DUQUESNE * (CBSSN) ...... 9:00 Sunday February 23 at Dayton * (ESPNU) ...... 1:00 Thursday February 27 at Massachusetts * ...... 7:00 Sunday March 2 FORDHAM * ...... 2:00 Wednesday March 5 Atlantic 10 Championship – Play-In Game ** ...... TBA Thursday March 6 Atlantic 10 Championship – Opening Round ** ...... TBA Friday March 7 Atlantic 10 Championship – Quarterfinals ** ...... TBA Saturday March 8 Atlantic 10 Championship – Semifinals ** (CBSSN) ...... TBA Sunday March 9 Atlantic 10 Championship – Finals ** (ESPNU) ...... 11:00 a.m.
Home games in CAPS at Hagan Arena; ^ – Preseason WNIT (Sites to be determined); * - Atlantic 10 Conference game; # - Philadelphia Big 5 game; ** - Atlantic 10 Championship (The Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Va.) All game times are EST and subject to change
Quick Facts Location...... Philadelphia, Pa. 19131 2012-13 Regular Season Record...... 23-9 Founded...... 1851 2012-13 Atlantic 10 Conference Record (Place)...... 11-3 (4th) Enrollment...... 4,670 (full-time undergrads) 2012-13 Philadelphia Big 5 Record (Place) ...... 3-1 (2nd) Denomination ...... Roman Catholic (Jesuit) Letterwinners Returning/Lost...... 8/4 Nickname ...... Hawks Starters Returning/Lost...... 3/2 Colors ...... Crimson and Gray Captains ...... Natasha Cloud, Ashley Robinson, Erin Shields Athletic Affiliation...... NCAA Division I Conference ...... Atlantic 10 Head Coach (alma mater) ....Cindy Griffin (Saint Josephʼs '91, ʻ93) Home Arena (Capacity) .....Michael J. Hagan ʻ85 Arena (4,200) Overall Record/Years...... 271-189/16th season President...... C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J. ʼ72 Record at Saint Josephʼs/Years ...... 223-156/13th season Associate Vice President/Athletic Director ...... Don DiJulia Associate Head Coach...... Susan Moran (Saint Josephʼs ʻ02, ʻ07) - 11th season Athletic Department...... (610) 660-1707 Assistant Coaches...... Basketball Office...... (610) 660-1710 ...... Stephanie McCaffrey (Saint Josephʼs ʻ04) - 7th season Basketball Fax...... (610) 660-1500 ...... Jada Pierce (West Chester ʻ97) - 2nd season Athletic Communications...... (610) 660-3389 Director of Basketball Operations ...... Katie Gardler Athletic Communications Fax ...... (610) 660-1724 Graduate Assistant: ...... Chris Koclanes Press Row...... (610) 660-2599 Womenʼs Administrative Assistant ...... Kathy MacDonald Ticket Information...... 888-SJU-HAWK Womenʼs Basketball Athletic Trainer...... Salvatore Capone Athletics Website...... www.sjuhawks.com Womenʼs Basketball Contact ...... Jack Jumper
2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 3 Roster
Numerical Roster No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Hometown High School/Last College 1 *** Ilze Gotfrida Sr. F 6-0 Dobele, Latvia Rigas Secondary School No. 49 2 Mackenzie Rule Fr. G 5-6 West Chester, Pa. Cardinal O'Hara 3 *** Erin Shields Sr. G 5-6 Drexel Hill, Pa. Archbishop Carroll 4 * Natasha Cloud Jr. G 6-0 Broomall, Pa. Cardinal O'Hara/Maryland 11 Lisanne de Jonge Fr. F 5-11 Nijmegen, Netherlands Luzac College 13 **** Ashley Robinson R-Jr. F 6-2 Warrington, Pa. Archbishop Wood 15 Kathleen Fitzpatrick Fr. G 5-9 Drexel Hill, Pa. Academy of Notre Dame de Namur 20 Geena Gomez Fr. G 5-8 Huntington Beach, Calif. Edison 21 * Ciara Andrews So. G 5-9 Glenside, Pa. Cheltenham 22 Jessica Pongonis Fr. F 6-1 Fishers, Ind. Hamilton Southeaster 23 * Jordan Strode So. G 5-8 Harrisburg, N.C. Hickory Ridge 34 * Kelsey Berger Sr. F 5-11 Mentor, Ohio Mentor/Air Force 41 * Sarah Fairbanks So. F 6-1 Elizabethtown, Pa. Elizabethtown Area
Alphabetical Roster No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Hometown High School/Last College 21 * Ciara Andrews So. G 5-9 Glenside, Pa. Cheltenham 34 * Kelsey Berger Sr. F 5-11 Mentor, Ohio Mentor/Air Force 4*Natasha Cloud Jr. G 6-0 Broomall, Pa. Cardinal O'Hara/Maryland 11 Lisanne de Jonge Fr. F 5-11 Nijmegen, Netherlands Luzac College 41 * Sarah Fairbanks So. F 6-1 Elizabethtown, Pa. Elizabethtown Area 15 Kathleen Fitzpatrick Fr. G 5-9 Drexel Hill, Pa. Academy of Notre Dame de Namur 20 Geena Gomez Fr. G 5-8 Huntington Beach, Calif. Edison 1 *** Ilze Gotfrida Sr. F 6-0 Dobele, Latvia Rigas Secondary School No. 49 22 Jessica Pongonis Fr. F 6-1 Fishers, Ind. Hamilton Southeaster 13 **** Ashley Robinson R-Jr. F 6-2 Warrington, Pa. Archbishop Wood 2 Mackenzie Rule Fr. G 5-6 West Chester, Pa. Cardinal O'Hara 3 *** Erin Shields Sr. G 5-6 Drexel Hill, Pa. Archbishop Carroll 23 * Jordan Strode So. G 5-8 Harrisburg, N.C. Hickory Ridge
* - Denotes letters won at Saint Josephʼs prior to 2013-14 The Hawk Will Die! Never Head Coach: Cindy Griffin (Saint Josephʼs ʼ91) – 13th Season
Associate Head Coach: Susan Moran (Saint Josephʼs ʼ02) – 11th Season
Assistant Coaches: Stephanie McCaffrey (Saint Josephʼs ʼ04) – 7th Season Jada Pierce (West Chester ʼ97) – 2nd Season
Director of Basketball Operations: Pronunciation Guide Katie Gardler (Saint Josephʼs ʼ92) – 4th Season CIARA Andrews ...... SEE-air-uh Graduate Assistant: Kelsey BERGER ...... Burger Chris Koclanes (Old Dominion ʼ10) – 1st Season ILZE GOTFRIDA ...... ILL-zuh got FREE-duh Jessica PONGONIS ...... pon-GO-niss LISANNE DE JONGE ...... LEEZ-ann dee YON-guh
4 2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball Roster Breakdown
Hawks By The Numbers
Returning Letterwinners (8) Pos. Ht. Yr. GP-GS Min-Avg Pts-Avg Reb-Avg Ast-Avg Blk-Avg Stl-Avg Ciara Andrews G 5-9 So. 13-0 45-3.5 20-1.5 7-0.5 1-0.1 0-0.0 4-0.3 Kelsey Berger F 5-11 Sr. 31-3 363-11.7 108-3.5 36-1.2 16-0.5 2-0.1 12-0.4 Natasha Cloud G 6-0 Jr. 32-30 1,019-31.8 293-9.2 148-4.6 142-4.4 17-0.5 57-1.8 Sarah Fairbanks F 6-1 So. 27-0 223-8.3 49-1.8 60-2.2 3-0.1 17-0.7 2-0.1 Ilze Gotfrida F 6-0 Jr. 32-22 765-23.9 242-7.6 136-4.3 31-0.9 3-0.1 22-0.7 Ashley Robinson F 6-2 R-Jr. 25-12 482-19.3 129-5.2 103-4.1 16-0.6 16-0.6 15-0.6 Erin Shields G 5-6 Jr. 32-31 1,044-32.6 365-11.4 57-1.8 80-2.5 7-0.2 33-1.0 Jordan Strode G 5-8 So. 1-0 10-10.0 3-3.0 3-3.0 0-0.0 0-0.0 0-0.0
Newcomers (5) Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown Last School PPG RPG Lisanne de Jonge F 5-11 Fr. Nijmegen, Netherlands Luzac College 9.8 * 5.0 * Kathleen Fitzpatrick G 5-9 Fr. Drexel Hill, Pa. Academy of Notre Dame de Namur 17.4 6.8 Geena Gomez G 5-8 Fr. Huntington Beach, Calif. Edison 22.7 9.7 ^ Jessica Pongonis F 6-1 Fr. Fishers, Ind. Hamilton Southeastern 11.5 6.0 Mackenzie Rule G 5-6 Fr. West Chester, Pa. Cardinal OʼHara 5.3 1.3
Letterwinners Lost (4) Pos. Ht. Yr. GP-GS Min-Avg Pts-Avg Reb-Avg Ast-Avg Blk-Avg Stl-Avg h akWl Never Die! Will Hawk The Ashley Prim G 5-7 Sr. 30-26 858-28.6 227-7.6 131-4.4 94-3.1 1-0.1 35-1.2 Shelby Smith G 5-8 Sr. 22-1 186-8.5 23-1.0 14-0.6 16-0.7 1-0.1 7-0.3 Chatilla van Grinsven F 6-3 Sr. 32-30 941-29.4 475-14.9 333-10.4 47-1.5 47-1.5 40-1.3 Mireia Vila G/F 6-0 Sr. 31-5 431-13.9 83-2.7 61-2.0 37-1.2 4-0.1 17-0.5
* - Stats from 2012 U-17 European Championships ^ - Stats from junior season.
Seniors Major Kelsey Berger ...... Chemical Biology
Ilze Gotfrida ...... Business Intelligence
Erin Shields ...... Finance
Juniors Natasha Cloud ...... Communication Studies
Ashley Robinson ...... Managing Human Capital
Sophomore Ciara Andrews ...... Communication Studies
Sarah Fairbanks ...... Interdisciplinary Health Services
Jordan Strode ...... Art
Freshmen Lisanne de Jonge ...... Communication Studies
Kathleen Fitzpatrick ...... Humanities
Geena Gomez ...... Political Science
Jessica Pongonis ...... Social Science Senior co-captain Erin Shields Mackenzie Rule ...... Sports Marketing
2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 5 The Hawk Will Die! Never
6 2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball h akWl Never Die! Will Hawk The
2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 7 The Hawk Will Die! Never
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2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 9 The Hawk Will Die! Never
10 2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball h akWl Never Die! Will Hawk The
2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 11 Season Preview
Posting one of the best seasons in Saint Josephʼs his- “There are high expectations this year coming off the tory, the reigning Atlantic 10 champion Hawks enter the season we had and because several starters are returning,” 2013-14 season looking to take the best shots from oppo- said Griffin. “We have a lot of experience coming back and nents as they defend their conference crown. Returning a are counting on the newcomers to make an impact. core of eight letterwinners, including three starters, head coach Cindy Griffin is extremely proud of last yearʼs BACKCOURT accomplishments, but has this yearʼs team focused on the new season. Posing one of the more formidable tandems in the “Itʼs our championship until someone takes that away,” Atlantic 10, Shield and Cloud shined the brightest for the said Griffin. “But the thing that is very obvious is that four of Hawks on the biggest stages. the players that were on last yearʼs team are not here. We The A-10ʼs Most Improved Player and an All- know this is a different team and we know we are going to Conference Third Team honoree, Shields finished as one of have to work even harder this season to have the same the top three-point shooters in the league last season, success.” knocking down a team-best 73 three-pointers, while aver- Leading the way for the Hawks this season are tri-cap- aging a career-high 11.4 points per game. Already eighth tains Erin Shields, Natasha Cloud and Ashley Robinson. all-time in three-pointers (160), she enters the season as Entering their senior and junior years, respectively, Shields one of the most efficient perimeter shooters in team history, and Cloud combined for 61 starts in the backcourt last sea- and one of its most unselfish, having averaged 2.7 assists son, while Robinson came on strong in the second half of per game for her career. the year to earn the starting nod at forward in the Atlantic 10 Making an immediate impact after sitting out the 2011- Championship and NCAA Tournament contest against 12 season per NCAA Transfer rules, Cloudʼs versatility Vanderbilt. helped create matchup problems for opponents throughout Making key contributions and earning big-game experi- the season. Playing 31.8 minutes per game, Cloud led Saint ence, returning letterwinners Kelsey Berger, Ilze Gotfrida, Josephʼs in assists (142) and steals (57), while setting new Ciara Andrews, Sarah Fairbanks and Jordan Strode will career highs in scoring (9.2 ppg) and rebounding (4.6 rpg). be looked upon to expand their roles this year. Newcomers Coming through when the Hawks needed her the most, Lisanne de Jonge, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Geena Gomez, Cloud put her best foot forward in the Atlantic 10 Jessica Pongonis and Mackenzie Rule will challenge for Championship, tallying a game-high 15 points and six playing time and added depth in both the post and on the assists in earning Most Outstanding Player of the A-10 perimeter. Championship in leading the Hawks to their third A-10 title. “Our backcourt is very well experienced and returns two All-Conference caliber players in Erin and Natasha,” said Griffin. “Both Erin and Tash are going to have the ball in their The Hawk Will Die! Never hands more this season. Iʼm not concerned about who is the point guard, but knowing they can both do it, I am comfort- able with that. Weʼll be able to run our offense through both of them.” Adding depth to the bench as rookies last season, Andrews and Strode will be counted on to contribute often this season. Appearing in 13 games as a freshman, Andrews provided an offensive spark for the Hawks. Averaging 1.5 points per contest, the speedy wing player gives Saint Josephʼs a streaky scorer who can hit from the perimeter and drive to the basket. Returning to the lineup after suffering a season-ending knee injury early last year, Strodeʼs strong defense and agility will be looked to often in the coming season. Playing in just one game, she made an impact both in the paint and the wing, tallying three points, while crashing the boards for three rebounds in just 10 minutes of action. “Our sophomore class is going to be very important for us this year as far as depth,” Griffin said. “Either of them could start and they are ready. Their roles are going to increase and the work they put in this summer and experi- ence from last year has prepared them for that.” Junior guard Natasha Cloud
12 2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball Season Preview
Adding talent both on the ball and the wing, newcomers A potent threat from long distance, Fitzpatrick set the de Jonge, Fitzpatrick, Gomez and Rule give Saint Josephʼs Academy of Notre Dame de Namur record for three-point- several different scoring threats and pose matchup prob- ers in a career (245) and season (72), while finishing fourth lems for opposing teams. all-time in scoring (1,329). As a senior, the 5-foot-9 guard A standout for the Netherlands National Team, de earned First Team All-InterAc League and All-Delaware Jonge competed for her country at the Under-18 European County honors after averaging 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, Championships last summer. Selected a Third Team All- and 3.7 assists per game. Star at last year's Under-17 World Championships, the 5- “Kathleenʼs role is to shoot the ball,” said Griffin. “We foot-11 forward averaged 9.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 brought her in to extend defenses and shoot the ball. She assists per game, while helping her country to an eighth- can shoot for range and gives us depth at the guard spot.” place finish. Previously named both an All-Defensive Team A four-time All-League honoree at Edison High School, and All-Rookie Team honoree, she began her international Gomez capped her career averaging 22.7 points per game career with the Under-15 Team, earning All-Star honors. last season en route to earning league MVP honors. The 5- Playing for Batouwe Bemmel of the Netherlands' top divi- foot-9 guard led her team to the California Intercollegiate sion the last three years, de Jonge led her team to the Federation Championship as a sophomore and the OC National Cup championship in 2012 and averaged 9.0 Shoot-Out title as a junior. points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per contest. “Geena is a scoring point guard,” said Griffin. “She def- “Lisanne has great length on the perimeter and is going initely can put the ball in the basket. She can get to the rim to cause problems for some people on the defensive end.” and has a strong build and strong base. She finds ways to Griffin said. “She is more of a slasher, but can shoot from score and she is going to get better as the year goes on.” long range. And being able to swing from guard to small for- A four-year All-Catholic League honoree, Rule joins the ward positions is going to help us as well.” Hawks as a walk-on this year. A steady leader at the point, Never Die! Will Hawk The the 5-foot-6 guard averaged 5.3 points and 1.3 assist per game in a shortened senior season. “Mackenzie is one of the hardest working kids in our gym and is out to prove something everyday,” Griffin said “Her role is going to push the perimeter players and make them better.”
FRONTCOURT
A major reason for Saint Josephʼs success last season, the forward duo of Robinson and Gotfrida gave the Hawks a physical presence in the paint, while providing an offen- sive punch when they needed to the most. Missing the first seven games of the season due to injury, Robinson quickly rounded into form, earning key starts in the final months. Averaging a career-high 19.3 min- utes per game, the 6-foot-2 forward provided Saint Josephʼs with key rebounding and a shot-blocking presence. Grabbing 4.1 rebounds per game and finishing fourth in blocked shots (16), Robinsonʼs role will be looked to increase as the Hawks try to replace the double-double averaged by graduate Chatilla van Grinsven. “Ashley really came on in the second half of the season last year with rebounding,” Griffin said. “Rebounding is going to be very important with the loss of Chatilla, and Ashleyʼs role in that is important.” Having her best season to date as junior, Gotfrida set career-highs in scoring (7.6 ppg), rebounding (4.3 rpg) and minutes (23.9 per game). Playing all 32 games with 22 starts, Gotfrida helped stretch the Hawksʼ offense by extending opposing defenses. Hitting five three-pointers and shooting a team-best 52.1 percent from the floor, Griffin will look for Gotfrida to have a major impact this year. Redshirt junior forward Ashley Robinson
2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 13 Season Preview
“Ilze got some valuable minutes last year and gives us a presence in the paint and can put some points in the bas- ket from down low,” said Griffin. “She is one of pur best scor- ers coming back and is a great compliment to a low post player who can play with their back to the basket. She has worked hard to earn the minutes and we expect to really increase her role both in minutes and production.” A versatile wing player, Berger was a consistent player for the Hawks in 2012-13. Playing in 31 games with three starts, the 5-foot-11 forward averaged 3.5 points per game, while shooting 42.3 percent from the floor. A strong defen- sive presence, Berger also helped Saint Josephʼs extend defenses, knocking down 14 three-pointers, while convert- ing 35.9 percent from behind the arc. “Kelsey is a scorer on the perimeter and can post up smaller guards or guard a bigger post player if we need her to,” said Griffin. “She is very good rebounder and we are going to need her help us in those areas.” A strong presence on defense and a versatile scorer on offense, Fairbanks saw her role increase as the season went on last year. A talented low post player, she led all rookies in rebounding (2.2 rpg) and finished tied for third in blocked shots (17) over 27 contests. Averaging 1.8 points per game, Fairbanks had a strong finish to the season, including six points in the NCAA Tournament versus Senior forward Ilze Gotfrida Vanderbilt, going 2-of-2 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line. Competing in the Preseason Womenʼs National “Sarah really committed herself to diversifying her game Invitation Tournament for the second time in team history, this summer,” Griffin said. “She has a sweet touch from the SJU opens the season on November 8 when it hosts Mount outside and is able to score with her back to the basket. St. Maryʼs. A victory would set up a matchup against LSU or Where we need her is the defensive presence in the paint. Stetson on November 10 or 11, with the semifinals and She is a terrific shot blocker, and we are looking for her to championship being held on November 14 and 17, respec- really contribute and come into her own her sophomore tively. The Hawk Will Die! Never season.” “We are honored to be in the Preseason WNIT as one A highly-decorated player, Pongonis led Hamilton of the 16 chosen,” Griffin said. “Itʼs going to be great for us Southeastern to a top-20 national ranking and the Hoosier because we are going to find out who we are pretty early Crossroads Conference title in 2012-13 As a senior, the 6- and what we need to work on. We are going to be tested in foot-1 forward averaged 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 each game and it would be nice to go as far as we can to assists and 1.0 block per game, while shooting 50.5 percent give us confidence going into the season.” from the floor. An All-Hoosier Crossroads All-Conference Following the tournament, the Hawks face four consec- selection as a junior and senior, sheʼll be looked to con- utive games against teams that competed in postseason tribute early for the Hawks. tournaments. Saint Josephʼs hosts reigning Postseason “Jessica is a very talented post player with a great work WNIT champion Drexel (Nov. 20) and Big South champs ethic and high basketball IQ,” Griffin said. “She will be con- Liberty (Nov. 23) before taking to the road to face off with Ivy tending for a lot of minutes early and we expect her to grow champion Princeton (Nov. 26) and NEC champs Quinnipiac as the year goes.” (Dec. 1). Saint Josephʼs opens Big 5 play with games at Temple SCHEDULE (Dec. 4) and Villanova (Dec. 7) before returning home to host Hofstra (Dec. 10). A trip to Syracuse (Dec. 21) and Having made four-straight postseasons and advancing Florida Gulf Coast (Dec. 29) round out the calendar year as to the NCAA Tournament last year, the reigning A-10 cham- the Hawks turn their focus to Atlantic 10 play. pion Hawks again will face strong competition throughout “Our non-conference schedule is one of the best RPI- the season. Beginning in early November with the wise in the conference,” said Griffin. The schedule may not Preseason WNIT, Saint Josephʼs will face 12 teams that feature any major BCS schools, but the teams we will face advanced to the postseason last year. are all heavy hitters RPI-wise and are successful league contenders.”
14 2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball Season Preview
With the Atlantic 10 changing formats to 16 games this returns home to host Duquesne (Feb. 18) in a CBSSN tele- year, including four home-and-home series, Saint Josephʼs vised game. A matchup at Dayton (Feb. 23) on ESPNU and travels to Richmond to begin conference play on January 2, trip to Massachusetts (Feb. 27) lead up to a rematch of last then returns home to host George Washington in front of a yearʼs A-10 title game versus Fordham in the regular sea- nationally televised audience on NBCSN on January 5. son finale on March 2 at Hagan Arena. The Hawks host Rhode Island (Jan. 8) then travel to Following two seasons at Hagan Arena, the A-10 VCU (Jan. 12) for a televised game on CBSSN. Saint Womenʼs Basketball Championship will shift sites this year Josephʼs closes out Big 5 play with a home game against as The Richmond Coliseum will host the conference tour- Penn (Jan. 17), followed by a contest at La Salle (Jan. 19) nament from March 5 to 9. This yearʼs semifinal matchups that will be televised by CBSSN. A road contest at George will be televised on the CBS Sports Network, with the cham- Washington (Jan. 22), followed by a home game on NBCSN pionship game airing live on the ESPN family of networks. versus Dayton (Jan. 26) and a matchup with Saint Louis “We are excited to play on a neutral floor and to have (Jan. 29) round out the month. everyone going, not just the top 12 teams. It really creates February begins with Saint Josephʼs playing two of its a championship atmosphere and is good for the game,” first three games at home. The Hawks start out hosting VCU Griffin said. “But we are going into the year with a target on (Feb. 1) with a road trip at St. Bonaventure (Feb. 5) followed our backs. Itʼs an earned target. And with the success by a home game against La Salle (Feb. 12). Saint Josephʼs comes that responsibility.” travels to A-10 newcomer George Mason (Feb. 15) then h akWl Never Die! Will Hawk The
Senior forward Kelsey Berger Sophomore forward Sarah Fairbanks
2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 15 Heart Of A Hawk
In addition to athletics and academics, community service has long been one of the traditions of the Saint Joseph's University women's 1 basketball program. The Heart of a Hawk program is SJUʼs way of giving back to its community. Each student-athlete is required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service each semes- ter. The team will also participate in a number of group service proj- ects throughout the year. All community service activities are record- ed in the Heart of a Hawk log and the Roosevelt Hunter Community Service award is presented at the end of the year to the student-ath- lete with the most community service hours.
Among the projects, programs, and organizations the Hawk women's basketball team has donated time to are: the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the Childrenʼs Hospital of Philadelphia (1), the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, the Hand- in-Hand Festival, Leukemia Walk, Toys for Tots, the Boys and Girls Club (2) and Philly Girls Got Game clinics (3). In addition, the team has sponsored and participated in a wide range of clinics throughout the Delaware Valley, including at the Please Touch Museum. Last season, the Hawks helped raise money for two cancer awareness organizations. SJU teamed with the campus group Hawks vs. Cancer to collect $1,182 for the Foundation for Womenʼs Cancer (4). In February, the Hawks took part in the Womenʼs Basketball Coaches Associationʼs national “Think Pink” campaign to spread awareness of breast cancer. Both Saint Josephʼs and visiting Charlotte took part, raising more than $500 (5). The Hawk Will Die! Never
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16 2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball Hawk Ball-Handling Kids Club
Youngsters from throughout the Delaware Valley can join the Hawks by becoming proud members of the Hawk Ball- Handling Kids Club. Kids Club members receive season tickets to every Hawk womenʼs home game, as well as free admission to all away games against Big 5 opponents. Members also receive a personalized membership card and newsletters. Saint Josephʼs Womenʼs Basketball Hall of Famer and current SJU director of basketball operations Katie Gardler oversees the club and its fun and instructive ball-handling clinics.
For more information on the Saint Josephʼs Ball-Handling Kids Club, call 610-660-1777. h akWl Never Die! Will Hawk The
2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 17 Hawk Hill Roundball Club
The Saint Josephʼs University womenʼs basketball team has established a reputation as one of the most successful programs in the country. That reputation has grown over the years thanks in part to the loyal support of its fan and booster organization, the Hawk Hill Roundball Club. Committed to the success of the team and the program both on and off the court, the Roundball Club has been a main- stay of SJU womenʼs basketball for years. The club is comprised of alumni, fans, friends, parents and supporters of the Hawk program. Providing a multi-faceted support program, club events include fundraising ventures, pre-game and post-game receptions, bus trips to away games, alumni and group outings, pre-season and post-season banquets, and alumni games.
For more information on how to get involved with the Hawk Hill Roundball Club, call 610-660-1710. The Hawk Will Die! Never
18 2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball Cindy Griffin Basketball Camp
Girls and boys ages 9-17 can have the opportunity to learn from the Hawks by attending one of the exciting sessions of the Cindy Griffin Basketball Camp. The camps are conducted at the Michael J. Hagan ʻ85 Arena on the campus of Saint Joseph's University. SJU head coach Cindy Griffin and her staff provide campers with the opportunity for hands-on learning. Additionally, campers receive individual instruction from Hawk players.
The camp offers five different sessions to choose from, including three Day Camps, an Overnight Camp for girls only and a Junior Hawk Camp for girls and boys ages 5-8. Each session offers a great opportunity for young children to have a positive, fun learning experience. Each day will pose a new challenge that will help the kids become better basketball players.
In addition to the camps, the Saint Joseph's University women's basketball coaching staff hosts and participates in a variety of clin- ics throughout the year, including the Philadelphia Big 5 Womenʼs Basketball Coaches Clinic. Featured speakers include the head coaches from all six city schools, including Cindy Griffin, Mike McLaughlin of Penn, Jeff Williams of La Salle, Harry Perretta of Villanova, Tonya Cardoza of Temple, and Denise Dillon of Drexel.
The clinic is open to both players and coaches. Never Die! Will Hawk The
For more information on SJU's basketball camps or the clinics, call 610-660-1777.
2013-14 Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball 19