Interesting story on the old Connecticut Blizzard of the ABL

[eebmg]

Just ran into this article

When Blizzard basketball took Connecticut by storm | THE CONNECTICUT STORY | connecticutmag.com


I really did not know about the Connecticut Blizzard of the ABL and the UConn players on it,

Tried to get Rebecca but the WNBA snatched her up.

Husky Jennifer Rizzotti was on board from the beginning and Carla Berube and Kara Wolters joinied her a year later

 

[eebmg]

Just ran into this article

When Blizzard basketball took Connecticut by storm | THE CONNECTICUT STORY | connecticutmag.com


I really did not know about the Connecticut Blizzard of the ABL and the UConn players on it,

Tried to get Rebecca but the WNBA snatched her up.

Husky Jennifer Rizzotti was on board from the beginning and Carla Berube and Kara Wolters joinied her a year later

Oops. New England Blizzard.

 

[Bald Husky]

In the ABL players were assigned to the team in their area. That is why there were so many UConn players, or players from Conn. on the Blizzard.

 

[CL82]

Oops. New England Blizzard.

Mmmm Blizzards...

 

[Zanzman]

Mmmm Blizzards...

View attachment 69988

Doesn’t look like they could help with rebounding

 

[Waquoit]

Kara Wolters salary then would make her one of the highest paid WNBA players now.

 

[BRS24]

I had season tix, first level, in one corner. Loved going to the games. Went to an adult BB camp one weekend and got coached by Berube, KC Jones, and Wolters. The latter tried to teach me, a novice 30 y/o hooper to do a double pivot up and under, ala McHale, and I laughed, wondering when a 5'7" person would ever do it. Had a great time, until we scrimmaged, and I thought it would be wise to try to take a charge from someone dribbling downcourt, taller and bigger than me. Almost ripped my leg off, and then I drove to Northhampton to see a concert, and most of it was SRO.

Needless to say, there was alot of alleve in use that night.

ps - I still have the shirt with my number (#33) and last name on it, and a ton of autographs, including Carolyn Jones.

 

[Beemer]

Kara Wolters salary then would make her one of the highest paid WNBA players now.

IIRC that was what basically torpedoed the ABL- they couldn't generate the revenue to pay those generous salaries. Being in competition with the WNBA made it tough to get corporate sponsorships, television deals etc.

 

[JellyBean]

Ah The New England Blizzards and the Old ABL. The Blizzards had a really cool logo, Polar Bear with a basketball. Plus the sky blue uniforms were nice.

 

[LesMis89]

My husband and I were season ticket holders. Loved them.

My two Blizzard stories:
- The Blizzard was playing Semeka Randall's team in Springfield MA and we were seated in the second row in a very 'intimate' setting.

Randall was playing really well! Really.Well. At one point she was preparing to inbound the ball on the sidelines, about 3-4 feet away from me. In frustration, I yelled out "For God's Sake! Could SOMEONE guard Boo Randall? She's killing us!!"

She cracked up laughing, turned to make eye contact with me and gave a big grin. It was a nice moment from a true competitor.


- Speaking of competitors, the Blizzard were playing in Hartford and Jen Rizotti had to leave in the first half with a shoulder injury. She returned in the 2nd half with her shoulder heavily wrapped and helped lead the team to victory. Found out later she'd dislocated her shoulder and told the medical staff to do whatever they had to do so she could play. IIRC, the league folded after that game.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

We attended at least one Blizzards game. Also a couple of Philadelphia Rage games, in the Palestra. Fun, very fan conscious. Was disappointed when the league folded, but was not surprised.

 

[CB360]

Some really good stories so I'd like to add mine. I had a pair of season tickets for 2 years. Brought my 3 1/2 year old son. Our seats were in 102 row Y. A great play happened and everyone cheered. there's that moment after that get real quite and my son let's out a "goooo Bizzard" and half the arena Laughed. A few weeks later I'm at Big Y. my son in the cart at the Deli. I feel a presence next to me and it's Carla Berube. I asked her to say hi to my son as he loves going to the games. She leans over and say's "Hi Brian" he look bewildered and I tell him "Brian this is Carla Berube , She play with Jen Rizzoti and the Blizzard" He perks up and Yells "Where's Jen Zotti, Where's Jen Zotti!!!!" Carla laughed and was a real sweet heart..
Thought I'd add somethin I've saved...

 

[Carol]

We used to drive down from Boston for the games. So much fun!