NEW YORK – The BIG EAST Conference will host its second annual Transition Game Program Sept. 23-24 in New York City. The interactive program aims to assist current women’s basketball student-athletes in the transition from college player to emerging professional, both on and off the court.
All 10 BIG EAST schools will send women’s basketball student-athletes who have been selected at the institution’s discretion. More than 30 student-athletes are expected to attend, along with leaders from across the conference’s campus administration.
"We are excited to host the Transition Game program once again this year,” said Tracy Ellis-Ward, BIG EAST Associate Commissioner for Women’s Basketball. “After a successful inaugural event and hearing the positive feedback from our schools, we look forward to continuing to assist our student-athletes in the move from collegiate life to the real world. We have once again lined up some of the most respected people in the women's game to provide insights and information to build on the incredible experiences these young women gained while a part of the BIG EAST."
The BIG EAST Transition Game schedule will include panels comprised of former BIG EAST standouts; WNBA and collegiate leaders from the court, the sidelines and in the front office; and renowned media personalities. Student-athletes will enjoy interactive sessions on mock interviews and assessing personal strengths. The program will include a visit to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in lower Manhattan and dinner at an iconic New York City restaurant.
Former Georgetown standout Sugar Rodgers, who was recently crowned WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, and Renee Brown, former WNBA Chief of Basketball Operations & Player Relations highlight the weekend’s first panel regarding playing at the next level. Rodgers just completed her fifth season in the WNBA and fourth with the New York Liberty, while Brown worked in the WNBA front office for 20 years. Sarah Kustok, former DePaul standout and current Brooklyn Nets analyst for the YES Network, will moderate the panel, which also includes recent Villanova graduate Emily Leer, who played professionally in Ireland.
Doris Burke, a Providence graduate, acclaimed sideline reporter and analyst, joins three-time Olympic Gold Medalist current New York Liberty Associate Head Coach Katie Smith, along with Kristin Bernert, Senior Vice President of Business Operations for the New York Knicks to discuss career opportunities in the world of basketball.
The student-athletes will participate in the StrengthsQuest exercise, a personal assessment focused on building each individuals’ natural strengths, along with a series of mock interviews. Sue McNeilly, Associate Director for Residence Life at St. John's University, and Sharod Tomlinson, Director of the R.I.S.E. Network at St. John’s, will facilitate StrengthsQuest, while human resources specialist Cheryl Gelzer Alexis, JD, will guide the Beyond The Court session, along with Michael Sainte, BIG EAST Director of Compliance and Membership Services.
About the BIG EAST
The BIG EAST Conference is an association of ten nationally prominent colleges and universities that foster healthy athletic competition, community service and the pursuit of excellence in academic environments. The athletic programs of BIG EAST institutions provide national-caliber participation opportunities for more than 3,727 student-athletes on over 180 men’s and women’s teams in 22 sports. Established in 1979 and headquartered in New York City, the BIG EAST’s members are located in seven of the country’s top 36 largest media markets and include Butler University, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University. For more information, visit
www.bigeast.com.