NEW YORK – The BIG EAST Conference will host its third annual Transition Game Program Sept. 8-9 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.
BIG EAST schools will send women’s basketball student-athletes who have been selected at the institution’s discretion. Nearly 30 student-athletes are expected to attend, along with leaders from across the conference’s campus administrations.
"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. “We take pride in the fact that the Transition Game has become an anticipated experience for our women’s basketball student-athletes. They have a unique opportunity to learn from industry professionals and BIG EAST alumnae who will impart valuable information about life after basketball.”
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.
The weekend’s first panel, “Playing at the Next Level,” features speakers who combined for 15 All-BIG EAST certificates, including four-time honoree Shenneika Smith. Smith, a St. John’s graduate, is one of three speakers who were drafted by the WNBA, along with DePaul grad Jessica January and current New York Liberty standout Bria Hartley, who shined at Connecticut. Moderator and Georgetown alumna Monica McNutt was also a two-time All-BIG EAST pick who now has a career in broadcasting.
A member of the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame and current Division I official, Geraldine Smith joins Vice President of the Connecticut Sun Amber Cox, former St. John’s Assistant Coach and current Providence Associate Head Coach Priscilla Edwards and Hilary Heieck, a Duke grad and current Principal at Triple H Communications, to discuss career opportunities in the world of basketball. Former Seton Hall student-athlete and current BIG EAST Digital Network women’s basketball analyst Christine Motta will moderate the panel.
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, Senior Assistant Director of Career Services at New York 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 3,500 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 35 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.