New England Blizzard
Encyclopedia
The New England Blizzard was a women's professional basketball
franchise based in Hartford, Connecticut
. The Blizzard was a charter member of the American Basketball League
(ABL). Playing from 1996 through 1998, the team produced many memorable moments for New England basketball fans and followers of women's sports in general.
The Blizzard played most of its home games in the Hartford Civic Center
, but occasionally the team played at the smaller Springfield Civic Center. Though they never won a title, the Blizzard consistently drew the most fans of any ABL franchise. This was partly because of the strong winning tradition established at the University of Connecticut
, which built a large, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable base of local fan support for the women's game. Additionally, the Blizzard hired Boston Celtics
legend K. C. Jones
as Head coach in 1997. Jones was easily the most widely recognized of the ABL coaches. Finally, the team featured several former Huskies.
, who never signed with the Blizzard. Their second pick was guard Teresa Weatherspoon
who played her college ball at Louisiana Tech, and also never played for the Blizzard, choosing instead to play for the New York Liberty
of the rival WNBA. But the Blizzard made up for that loss by picking up the former Auburn University
standout Carolyn Jones
(later Jones-Young), who became the Blizzard's most consistent scorer.
, and two other ex-Huskies. The team's winning percentage improved, and by finishing second in the Eastern Conference, the Blizzard made the playoffs for the first and last time, where they lost in the first round in two straight games to the San Jose Lasers
.
, which got all the way to the WNBA finals before losing in 2004 and 2005.
(ABL 2nd Team 1996, ABL 1st Team 1997)
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
franchise based in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. The Blizzard was a charter member of the American Basketball League
American Basketball League (1996-1998)
The American Basketball League, often abbreviated to the ABL of 1996 was an independent professional basketball league for women in the United States. At the same time the ABL was being formed, the National Basketball Association was creating the Women's National Basketball Association...
(ABL). Playing from 1996 through 1998, the team produced many memorable moments for New England basketball fans and followers of women's sports in general.
The Blizzard played most of its home games in the Hartford Civic Center
Hartford Civic Center
The XL Center, formerly known as the Hartford Civic Center, is a multi-purpose arena and convention center located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, USA. It is owned by the City of Hartford and operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group under contract with the Connecticut Development Authority...
, but occasionally the team played at the smaller Springfield Civic Center. Though they never won a title, the Blizzard consistently drew the most fans of any ABL franchise. This was partly because of the strong winning tradition established at the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
, which built a large, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable base of local fan support for the women's game. Additionally, the Blizzard hired Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
legend K. C. Jones
K. C. Jones
K. C. Jones is a retired American professional basketball player and coach. K. C. Jones is his full name.-Playing career:...
as Head coach in 1997. Jones was easily the most widely recognized of the ABL coaches. Finally, the team featured several former Huskies.
Season 1
With their first draft pick, the Blizzard selected former UConn Husky center and 1996 Olympic team veteran Rebecca LoboRebecca Lobo
Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
, who never signed with the Blizzard. Their second pick was guard Teresa Weatherspoon
Teresa Weatherspoon
-Personal:Weatherspoon was born to Charles and Rowena Weatherspoon in Pineland, Texas. Her father, Charles Sr., played minor league baseball in the Minnesota Twins' farm system, and holds the record for the most grand slams in a minor league game. Weatherspoon has two brothers and three sisters...
who played her college ball at Louisiana Tech, and also never played for the Blizzard, choosing instead to play for the New York Liberty
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
of the rival WNBA. But the Blizzard made up for that loss by picking up the former Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
standout Carolyn Jones
Carolyn Jones-Young
Carolyn Jones-Young is a former American professional basketball player. A 5'9" guard, she played for the New England Blizzard of the American Basketball League , and also played for the Portland Fire of the Women's National Basketball Association...
(later Jones-Young), who became the Blizzard's most consistent scorer.
Season 2
In the team's second season, the team drafted another Husky center, Kara WoltersKara Wolters
Kara Wolters is a retired American collegiate and professional basketball player.Standing at six feet and seven inches , she was appropriately nicknamed "Big Girl". She is the tallest player in University of Connecticut women's basketball history and one of the tallest women to ever play in the WNBA...
, and two other ex-Huskies. The team's winning percentage improved, and by finishing second in the Eastern Conference, the Blizzard made the playoffs for the first and last time, where they lost in the first round in two straight games to the San Jose Lasers
San Jose Lasers
The San Jose Lasers were a women's professional basketball team in San Jose, California. It was a member of the American Basketball League.The team folded along with the rest of the league during the third ABL season in 1998....
.
Season 3
In its third season, thirteen proved to be an unlucky number for the Blizzard: 13 games into their season, on December 22, 1998 the ABL folded. Connecticut was luckier than most ABL venues -- it eventually got a WNBA team, the Connecticut SunConnecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
, which got all the way to the WNBA finals before losing in 2004 and 2005.
Team Record
| Season | W | L | Win % | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 16 | 24 | .400 | 4th Place, Eastern Conference |
| 1997-98 | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2nd Place, Eastern Conference |
| 1998 | 3 | 10 | .231 | 5th Place, Eastern Conference |
All-Star Players
Carolyn JonesCarolyn Jones-Young
Carolyn Jones-Young is a former American professional basketball player. A 5'9" guard, she played for the New England Blizzard of the American Basketball League , and also played for the Portland Fire of the Women's National Basketball Association...
(ABL 2nd Team 1996, ABL 1st Team 1997)