Aug. 5, 2010
BRONX, N.Y. - Fordham women's basketball head coach Cathy Andruzzi continues to expand her staff this off season as she appointed two additional members to the 2010-2011 Rams' staff. Mary McConnell, a former assistant at Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bryant College standout player will assist Andruzzi on the sidelines; while Jenna Cosgrove, an Endicott College aluma, will join the staff as the Administrative Assistant and Director of the Druzz School.
McConnell was on the sidelines with the Knights for three seasons under head coach Peter Cinella where she assisted with the development and implementation of practice plans, individual work outs and game strategies. She organized and facilitated staff recruiting travel schedules and on-campus recruiting visits; created and presented scouting reports and oversaw the women's basketball budget, as well as helped with the marketing and organization of FDU's summer camps. At Fordham, she will serve as a guards coach in addition to her administrative and recruiting duties.
"We are excited to have Mary as part of our staff," remarked Andruzzi. "Mary had an excellent playing career at Bryant College as a 1,000-point scorer. With our team having a rotation of talented veteran guards, I think Mary's experience and knowledge will be a great asset to their growth. Mary's ties in the New England area and connections with AAU programs will be valuable to the program."
"I am excited to be a part of the Fordham Women's Basketball program, and honored for the opportunity to work with Coach Andruzzi," remarked McConnell. "I look forward to competing in the Atlantic-10 Conference with such a committed staff, and with a University so rich in tradition."
Prior to her stint with FDU, McConnell spent two seasons as a graduate assistant for Providence College, where she completed a Master's degree in educational counseling. At Providence, she coordinated film exchange with BIG EAST and non-conference opponents, managed the team's community service events and scheduled hom and away practices in addition to her coaching duties on the court.
McConnell played for Division II Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I., receiving a bachelor of science in Business Administration. She was a 1,000-point scorer and co-captain in her senior season, en route to Northeast 10 Third Team All-Conference (2003-04) acclaim, 2004 NCAA East recognition and 2004 Rhode Island Basketball Media Player of the Year accolades. McConnell also earned D-II Regional All-Tournament Team status, was a two-time ECAC All-Tournament team honoree and received the 2003-04 Distinguished Athlete of the Year sponsored by the Rhode Island Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.
An Endicott College alumna, Cosgrove joins the Rams after previously working as a sales and marketing associate for Do Sport Easy in Boston. At Do Sports Easy, Cosgrove planned, developed and managed lead lists and gave presentations to consult college/university intramural programs and high school athletic departments.
Prior to Fordham, Cosgrove also coached the AAU Mass Premier 15-under Gold Team out of Foxboro, Mass.. Her team attended the AAU Nationals in Orlando, Fla., and was ranked No. 1 at the Super Regionals for the 15-under Division 1.
In addition to her AAU duties, Cosgrove was an assistant coach for the Sharon High School women's basketball team for the 2009-10 season.
Since 2005, she has been a coach/clinic director at the Sarah Behn Basketball Camps as well as for the Mass Premier Courts Camps in Foxboro, Mass., from 2006-08.
A native of Sharon, Mass., Cosgrove was a four-year student-athlete and captain of the Endicott women's basketball team. She received her bachelor of science degree in sport management in 2009, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Cosgrove finished her coaches certification from Endicott College School of Sport Science and Fitness Studies.
