Rizzotti takes reins of the Sun
Ex-UConn star named president of franchise
Mohegan — Jennifer Rizzotti, who played a prominent role in leading UConn to its first NCAA women's basketball championship in 1995, has been named president of the Connecticut Sun.
The Mohegan Sun made the announcement Tuesday morning. She will be formally introduced during a press conference on Tuesday, April 27.
Rizzotti will be responsible for the overall business operations and marketing strategies of the Mohegan Tribe-owned WNBA franchise that plays its home games in Mohegan Sun Arena. The position was previously held by Amber Cox, who left over the winter to become CEO of the expansion Kansas City franchise in the National Women's Soccer League.
"I am so honored to rejoin the WNBA family in this leadership position with the Connecticut Sun," Rizzotti said in a press release. "This league employs the very best women's basketball players in the world. But more importantly, the WNBA is an inclusive and diverse community of women that inspire, lead and in their own words, "provide a voice for the voiceless." I am proud to have won two championships as a player in
the WNBA and will work tirelessly to help bring a championship to the Sun franchise."
"I believe the immediate future of the WNBA has never been more exciting. The level of talent, growing support around the sports world, and the league's commitment to be a keystone for cultural change in these tempestuous times makes this upcoming season one of the most important in its already rich history."
Rizzotti played at UConn from 1992–1996 where she helped lead the 1995 team to a 35-0 season and the Huskies' first national title. She finished her career with 637 assists and nearly 350 steals while averaging just over 11 points per game. She played eight seasons of professional basketball which included two WNBA championship seasons with the Houston Comets (1999 and 2000).
Rizzotti spent 17 seasons at the University of Hartford, earning American East Coach of the Year three times (2006, 2007 and 2010). Most recently she was head coach at George Washington, where she led the Colonials at an NCAA tournament bid in 2018.
Rizzotti has also been an integral part of USA Women's Basketball, currently serving as an assistant coach for both the USA Olympic team and the USA AmeriCup Team. In 2011, she was named USA Basketball Coach of the Year.
"Jen Rizzotti brings instant credibility and is a powerhouse within the women's basketball community," said Kathy Regan-Pyne of the Mohegan Tribal Council. "She has deep roots here in Connecticut and we could not be more thrilled to have her joining our team. Her passion, talent and expertise, along with her shared values and philosophies, make her a natural fit within our organization. We look forward to the team's continued success and path forward under her leadership and alongside our incredible staff, coaches and players."
Added Mohegan Sun president and general manager Jeff Hamilton, "Mohegan Sun is honored to have Jennifer Rizzotti joining our executive team, and we're incredibly excited about the future of the Connecticut Sun under her vision."
Rizzotti was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013, joining fellow UConn legends, coach Geno Auriemma (2006) and Rebecca Lobo (2010).
"I'd be remiss if I didn't recognize the contributions that Amber Cox made to this franchise over the past five years," Rizzotti said. "She and head coach and general manager Curt Miller have made the Connecticut Sun one of the most successful teams in the WNBA. I look forward to using this foundation and the overall culture of the Mohegan Tribe and Mohegan Sun to attract players, fans, and sponsors to be a part of our bright future."
The Sun begin the 2021 season on May 14 at Atlanta and play their home opener two days later against Phoenix.