WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Jennifer Rizzotti has resigned as head coach of the University of Hartford women's basketball team to take over the same position at George Washington University.

"Coach Rizzotti's influence across the University of Hartford, not just the Department of Athletics, goes far beyond wins and losses," said Director of Athletics Anton Goff. "It can be seen in the countless young women she has impacted as a coach, mentor, role model, and leader in her time here. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has done for Hartford Athletics and wish her and her family all the best in their new endeavor."

"It has been an absolute pleasure to watch Jen coach for 17 years and her students succeed on the court and in the classroom," said University of Hartford President Walter Harrison. "She leaves a great legacy at Hartford–a prelude I'm sure, of what is to come."

Rizzotti has been Hartford's head women's basketball coach since 1999. With her at the helm, the Hawks achieved a 316-200 record (.612 win percentage) in 17 seasons. She led the program to six NCAA Tournament appearances and four WNIT berths, capturing either the America East regular-season or tournament championship on nine occasions. She was the seventh head coach in program history.

"It is with mixed emotions that I resign my position as the coach of the women's basketball team here at the University of Hartford," Rizzotti said. "I am very excited about the opportunity to coach at the prestigious George Washington University, but the University of Hartford has been my home for almost all of my adult life. I couldn't be more grateful to former Director of Athletics Pat Meiser and President Walter Harrison for taking a chance on a 25-year-old kid with no experience so many years ago. I never would have thought it would have turned into something so special for me and my family. I can only hope that I have been able to give to this University, in some small way, all that it has given to me.

"I want to thank all of the alums and current players that I've coached over the span of 17 years and the staff with whom I have worked. That's what has made this an amazing experience and I'm proud that we are leaving behind a successful women's basketball legacy. I wish Anton Goff and the staff continued success. We've recruited wonderful young women to the program and I know they will continue to work hard to bring Hartford Women's Basketball to new heights."

Rizzotti was inducted in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013, and just this month was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Hall of Fame. Under Rizzotti, 25 different players were named to All-Conference teams, with five of those players receiving major awards from  America East. As a three-time America East Coach of the Year, her program was ranked among the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Academic Top 25 teams on three occasions. 

A national search for Hartford's next head women's basketball coach will begin immediately.