Rizzotti has also been terrific off the court as well as on. Brian Izzo | The Informer

Jennifer Rizzotti, the head coach of the women’s basketball team, will be honored at the Leadership Greater Hartford’s Annual Polaris Event, receiving the Polaris Award.

The Polaris Award is given to leaders in the Greater Hartford community who demonstrate, “vision, skill and courage in serving the Greater Hartford community and being a “Polaris,” the North Star that lights and guides the way for others to follow.”

Ted Carroll, President of Leadership Greater Hartford, said of Rizzotti, “Coach Rizzotti is a tremendous role model for developing and leading a group of diverse youth.”

Rizzotti, who started coaching the Hawks in 1999, serves the Greater Hartford community along with the women’s basketball team. Last year, the team volunteered at Walk for Weaver, Girl Scouts of America, Tabor House, Mandel Jewish Community Center and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Those are just some of the volunteer efforts that the team provided.

Rizzoti is a three-time America East Coach of the Year and is the all time leader in wins for the Hawks with 276. Rizzotti was also one of the top players for the UConn Huskies in her playing days winning awards such as the Associated Press Player of the Year in 1996.

Joe D’Ambrosio, known as, “the Voice of the Huskies,” will be introducing Rizzotti at the event. He is a seven-time Connecticut Sportscaster of the year.

The event will take place on Oct. 1 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Hartford Marriot Downtown. For more information on the event, visit www.leadershipgh.org