During the Summer of 2012, Hartford Athletics will catch up with former University of Hartford student-athletes who have made themselves into distinguished alumni since graduation. These former Hawks will be recognized both on HartfordHawks.com and on the official Hartford Hawks YouTube channel.

Next up in our Summer series of Hartford student-athlete alumni is Cranston, R.I., police officer Mallory Reis. Reis, who went by Mallory Rapoza while playing softball for the Hawks, was a four-year starter at second base for the Hawks before graduating in the Spring of 2005.

Reis (Rapoza) left her mark on Hawks softball, setting a pair of career records during her time in West Hartford. Reis finished her career with 35 sacrifices and 59 walks. Her 35 sacrifices still tops all Hawks while her walk total ranks third on the all-time list. Additionally, Reis began the pre-game ritual known as the “Hawk Dance,” a tradition that lives on and is currently performed by rising-junior pitcher Kaitlyn Meade.

While her efforts on the field remain in the Hartford record books, her greatest achievement came after her softball playing days as an off-duty police officer.

On July 9, 2011, Officer Reis was vacationing at a pond in Plymouth, Mass., when she saw a little boy carried out of the water. The boy was not breathing when she reached him. She began performing CPR and, with the help of an off-duty firefighter who also happened to be in the area, resuscitated the boy. Despite being CPR certified since she was 16, it was the first time Reis needed to use the life-saving measure.

“It was probably the scariest thing I've ever had to do,” said Reis. If put in the situation again, however, Officer Reis said she would not hesitate to take action.

Following her actions, Officer Reis received a congratulatory citation from the City Council of Cranston, R.I., as well as the mayor of Cranston, Allan W. Fung.

Officer Reis is in her fourth year as a patrolwoman for the Cranston Police Department. She resides in Johnstown, R.I., with her husband, Joshua Reis.