Elliott is the former Cincinnati coach and will be spearheading a new program at UConn (UConn Today)
UConn Athletics announced a new initiative Wednesday that will hopefully provide current and former UConn student-athletes with a deeper level of engagement through networking and mentorship opportunities.
The program, dubbed the “National C Club,” is being spearheaded by Jamelle Elliot. Elliot had previously served as an assistant coach on Geno Auriemma’s coaching from 1997 to 2009 before taking over as head women’s basketball coach at Cincinnati in 2009.
“It feels good to be home,” Elliot said in a statement. “I am extremely grateful to Dave Benedict for the opportunity to come back to a place that brings back so many found memories.”
According to a press release, the “C” Club will look to establish a database of athletics alumni to create more opportunities for networking, mentoring oand internship among the athletic program. This is part of a larger goal to provide unique and special benefits to former letter winners that will “deliver opportunities for engagement with athletic leadership, alumni/teammates and the current young men and women that represent the university.”
“As we continue to pursue excellence, it is important to provide a platform for former student athletes to connect and assists each other and current huskies with mentoring, internships and job opportunities,” athletic director Dave Benedict said in the statement.
The program also establish reunions and special events for student-athletes, past and present, to connect with one another.
While Elliot was on the bench in Cincinnati, every student athlete who exhausted her eligibility earned a degree. Elliot also established the Positive Performance Mental Training Academy and a student-athlete leadership program.
Elliot is no stranger to making positive impacts at UConn. In her four years as a player, Elliot racked up over 1,000 rebounds, finishing with the second most in program history and left the No.11 ranked scorer.
Elliot graduated from UConn with a degree in business management and earned her graduate degree in sports management from UConn in 1997.
Bryan Lambert is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at bryan.lambert@uconn.edu.