Saint Joseph's Hawks Women's Basketball Players
The Saint Joseph's Hawks women's basketball team is the women's basketball program that represents Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team has a rich history of producing some of the best women's basketball players in the country. From WNBA stars to successful coaches, Saint Joseph's has a long list of accomplished alumni. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most notable Saint Joseph's Hawks women's basketball players.
Shelley Pennefather
Shelley Pennefather is one of the most well-known Saint Joseph's Hawks women's basketball players. She led the Hawks to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1985 and 1986 and was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year in 1986. After college, Pennefather was selected 7th overall in the 1987 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Diamonds. However, instead of pursuing a professional basketball career, she joined the Convent of the Sisters of Charity in Dubuque, Iowa and became a nun.
Angela Zampella
Angela Zampella is another standout from the Saint Joseph's Hawks women's basketball program. She played for the Hawks from 1997 to 2001 and was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year in 2001. Zampella went on to play professionally in Israel and Germany before returning to the United States to pursue a coaching career. She is currently an assistant coach at Saint Joseph's University.
Erin Shields
Erin Shields is one of the most recent Saint Joseph's Hawks women's basketball players to make a name for herself. She played for the Hawks from 2010 to 2014 and was a two-time All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection. Shields was also a member of the Canadian National Team and helped lead them to a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. After college, Shields played professionally in Europe before retiring to pursue a career in coaching.
Chatilla van Grinsven
Chatilla van Grinsven played for the Saint Joseph's Hawks from 2010 to 2013 and was one of the team's most dominant players during that time. She was a two-time All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection and led the Hawks to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012 and 2013. After college, van Grinsven played professionally in Europe before retiring to pursue a career in business. She is currently a consultant for a global strategy consulting firm in Amsterdam.
Cindy Griffin
Cindy Griffin is not a player, but rather a former coach of the Saint Joseph's Hawks women's basketball team. She coached the team from 2003 to 2021 and is the program's all-time winningest coach. Griffin led the Hawks to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year four times during her tenure. She is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in Saint Joseph's women's basketball history.
Conclusion
Saint Joseph's University has a proud tradition of producing talented women's basketball players who have gone on to achieve great success both on and off the court. From Shelley Pennefather to Erin Shields, these players have left an indelible mark on the program and continue to inspire the next generation of Hawks. Whether as players or coaches, these women have shown that hard work, dedication, and a love of the game can take you far in life.