CT Women's Hoop Hall to Welcome Vernon Resident

Seven significant contributors to women's basketball, including a Vernon resident, have been elected as the 30th class of inductees to the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Denise Bierly of Vernon, head coach at Eastern Connecticut State University, is the winningest active coach in the Little East Conference. During her 23 years at Eastern, her teams have won 436 games, made 12 postseason appearances, advanced to the Division III national championship game in 2003 and the Sweet 16 in 2015. Ten times in the last 16 years, the Warriors have won at least 20 games. Her teams have won six Little East regular season titles and four conference tournaments. She has been honored as Little East Coach of the Year three times, New England Collegiate Coach of the Year and the New England Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year.

Other honorees are Michelle Florin Custis of Masuk High School and the University of Richmond (high school player), Susan Altieri of North Haven High School (high school player), Fred P. Williams of Colebrook (high school coach), William Dixon of New Haven (honorary), Judy Ruthko of New London (referee) and Jessica Grossarth of Fairfield University (college player).

The induction ceremony will be held Wednesday, April 19 at Cascade Banquet Facility, 480 Sherman Avenue, Hamden. Ticket information may be obtained from Tina Gonyea at (203) 927-4476, or tlghoop@aol.com.

The Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame was the first organization of its kind in the country. It was created in 1987 by five professional and personal friends who strongly felt the need to honor outstanding basketball players, coaches, officials, and advocates. The Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed to the enhancement of women’s basketball in Connecticut -- either through participation, through service, through support, or through achievement.

Patch file photo