West Hartford, CT – University of Hartford women's basketball coach Jennifer Rizzotti announced the addition of Erica Beverly to her staff, a recent Hawks graduate, and the promotion of Ikea Witt for the 2010-11 season. Witt's promotion to assistant coach follows the departure of Tanika Price who will take over as an Assistant Coach under Krista Kilburn-Steveskey at Hofstra.

Witt, who graduated in 2007, spent the last three seasons as the Director of Basketball Operations for Rizzotti's squad. Her new responsibilities include recruiting, scouting, video editing and game-day preparation.

"We are so fortunate to have someone of Ikea's ability and potential to promote to the Assistant Coach position here at Hartford,” said Rizzotti. “She has been an integral part of our staff as the Director of Basketball Operations for the past three years, but she is definitely ready to get hands on experience as an on the court coach. She has a great mind for the game, has earned the respect of the players and coaching staff and I truly believe she will make a tremendous impact on and off the floor for our program."

Witt, a Vineland, NJ native, graduated as the third all-time leading scorer with 1,297 career points (currently sixth all-time). She was an instrumental piece in the Hawks' first ever team to win an NCAA Tournament game (2005-06) over Temple. She can also be found in the top-10 in nine different statistical categories.

Beverly will begin her coaching career with the Hawks as the new Director of Basketball Operations. She will be responsible for video exchange, travel preparations, practice set-up and will act as an alumni liaison.

"Erica Beverly has been the face of our program for the past five seasons,” continued Rizzotti. “To be able to have her join our staff is a winning situation for Hartford Women's Basketball. I look forward to giving her the opportunity to learn about the coaching profession and I'm confident she will continue to be an inspiration and role model for the players in her new role as Director of Basketball Operations." 

The Bridgeport, CT native is currently working towards a Master's Degree in communications from the College of Arts and Sciences after completing her Bachelor's degree in Sociology. In her senior season, Beverly was named the America East Defensive Player of the Year and led the Hawks to a perfect 16-0 record in America East play, the first time the Hawks have gone undefeated in conference play. Beverly also led the Hawks to the program's first ever national rankings in both the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and the Associated Press Poll. The Hawks were ranked as high as 19th in the coaches poll.

Beverly completed her career as the fifth leading scorer in school history with 1,298 career points and she became the first player in school history to grab at least 1,000 career rebounds, finishing with 1,006. She is also the all-time leading shot blocker with 196 career blocks.