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BIG EAST empowers players to win at the next level through Transition Game program

By Erica Ayala

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23 - Doris Burke chats with student-athletes during the 2017 Big East Transition Game seminar in New York, NY, September. 23, 2017. (Photo by Porter Binks/Big East Conference)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23 - Doris Burke chats with student-athletes during the 2017 Big East Transition Game seminar in New York, NY, September. 23, 2017. (Photo by Porter Binks/Big East Conference) /
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The BIG EAST conference held its second annual Transition Game program last weekend in New York City. The  program was created last year to prepare players for whatever may come after their collegiate career comes to an end.

Current women’s basketball players networked with professionals from all levels and sectors of the game in preparation for their careers on and off the court.

Tracy Ellis-Ward, BIG EAST Associate Commissioner for Women’s Basketball on Sunday for more details about the annual event.

All-Star Lineup

The conference called in a team former student-athletes, most from the BIG EAST, to interact with current players over the two-day program. Panelist included:

  • Katie Smith, former WNBA player and Associate Head Coach, New York Liberty
  • Doris Burke, former BIG EAST student-athlete (Providence) and ESPN basketball analyst
  • Sugar Rodgers, former BIG EAST student-athlete (Georgetown) and New York Liberty guard
  • Renee Brown, former Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations, WNBA
  • Emily Leer, recent Villanova graduate who played professionally in Ireland
  • Sarah Kustok, former DePaul players and current Brooklyn Nets analyst for the YES Network
  • Kristin Bernert, Senior Vice President of Business Operations for the New York Knicks

“As a kid, I would have loved the opportunity to meet professional women who had some sort of
experience in the sports landscape,” shared ESPN analyst and providence alumna Doris Burke.

Butler junior Tori Schickel embraced the chance to think beyond being a basketball player, “we all have this love for the game and one day it’s not going to be there.” The Bulldogs forward added, “even if you’re not going into the exact basketball field there are still ways to give back.”

Building future leaders

The two-day program also provided opportunities for the women to practice interviewing skills, strength assessments and more.  “We didn’t have Transition Game when I played in the BIG EAST, I think it’s good what they’re doing here, especially for women,” said Sugar Rodgers. 

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 23 – Sugar Rodgers addresses the crowd during the 2017 Big East Transition Game seminar in New York, NY, September. 23, 2017. (Photo by Porter Binks/Big East Conference)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 23 – Sugar Rodgers addresses the crowd during the 2017 Big East Transition Game seminar in New York, NY, September. 23, 2017. (Photo by Porter Binks/Big East Conference) /

Careers beyond playing are the likely route for the majority of student-athletes.

“We recognize that probably for female student athletes, the reality of actually going pro is not what it is for football and men’s basketball,” said Ellis-Ward in a phone interview Sunday.

The WNBA has limited roster spots for top talent, Rodgers is one of 144 women in the league. Furthermore, Forbes estimated WNBA players are underpaid anywhere from $600,000-$1.15 million when comparing NBA and WNBA revenue sharing percentages.

Neither the state of women’s sports, nor an imperfect professional situation should serve as a deterrent. “One thing that Katie Smith said was ‘Bloom where you’re planted.’,” reflected Donnaizha Fountain of Seton Hall.

The graduate school transfer added, “it may not be the perfect situation, but you make that situation a perfect situation for you and your future.”

Allies among adversaries

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 23 – Players chat at Big East Transition Game seminar in New York, NY, September. 23, 2017. (Photo by Porter Binks/Big East Conference)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 23 – Players chat at Big East Transition Game seminar in New York, NY, September. 23, 2017. (Photo by Porter Binks/Big East Conference) /

Building a strong network of mentors and colleagues is an integral part of the Transition Game program.

“We’re all a BIG EAST family, we’re on the same page, trying to do the same thing. We’re trying to win at the next level … they now have expanded their network with each other … they have other peers that they can count on in the years to come,” said Ellis-Ward.

A critical part of any network is support, something the student-athletes definitely received over the weekend.

“Everyone touched on ‘don’t be afraid of failure.’ Today a lot of people stress about failing,” said Marquette forward  Natisha Hiedeman. “This sort of event just shows everything the BIG EAST is trying to do for us …” 

The BIG EAST conference play will tip-off December 28 with Providence hosting Georgetown at 7pm ET.

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