Rizzotti signs contract extension in Hartford

4/5/2007 3:46 PM

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -Hartford coach Jennifer Rizzotti agreed to a contract extension that will keep her at the school through 2014.

Rizzotti, who starred on Connecticut's first national championship team in 1995, became Hartford's coach in 1999. In eight seasons, she has led the team to three NCAA tournaments, including an upset over Temple in the first round of the 2006 tournament.

Her previous contract was to run through the 2009-10 season and was folded into the new deal, the school said.

``I appreciate the support and loyalty that the University of Hartford has shown me in extending my contract,'' Rizzotti said in a statement released by the school. ``The constant encouragement I receive for not only building our program into a championship one but developing our players as students and as young women makes this a great place to coach.''

The Hawks were 25-9 this season, winning their second consecutive America East regular-season title, but were upset by UMBC in the conference tournament final.

They were invited to the Women's NIT, and beat Bucknell in the first round before losing to South Carolina.