Rosemary Ragle, UConn’s head athletic trainer for women’s basketball for the past 15 years, will be among those inducted Saturday into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame at the DCU Center in Worcester.
Ragle’s work has been critical to the rehabilitation and recovery of just about every Husky who has been injured since she was assigned to the program in 1999. UConn has won nine national championships since.
“As I sit in my new office, I am surrounded by pictures I’ve taken with the players over the years,” said Ragle. “I hate to say anything that makes it appear as if I am bragging, but I think I do a nice job connecting with the young women in the program. I honestly feel that’s been my best contribution.”
Ragle has been at UConn for 18 years. She also worked with the UConn men’s and women’s track and field teams, women’s volleyball team, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, and rowing.
“I try to give them [the players] confidence that they will come back [from injury],” said Ragle. “But one my favorite things is the creativity that comes with the rehabilitation process. It’s gratifying to know they have had the faith in me that I will help return them in great form.”
Ragle, who said her original plan was to stay at UConn for three years, graduated from Troy University in 1996 with a degree in athletic training. She was awarded a scholarship to Louisiana State University as a graduate assistant and completed her master’s degree in exercise science in 1998.
Her relationship with UConn’s players does not end with graduation. Many, such as Sue Bird, have sought her advice and counsel after becoming professionals.
“That’s why I put in these hours and do what I do,” Ragle said.
UConn-Maryland Set
UConn completed its 2015-16 nonconference schedule Wednesday by announcing that it will play Maryland Dec. 28 in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden (8:30 p.m., ESPN2).
The game will begin a three-game series between the programs, which played in last year’s national semifinals in Tampa, Fla. UConn will travel to Maryland in 2016-17 and the Terps will play at UConn during the 2017-18 season.
This season, Maryland will feature freshman Kiah Gillespie, the high school All-American from Hartford’s Capital Prep. This will be Maryland’s first appearance in the Maggie Dixon Classic; the Huskies will be participating in the game for the fifth time.
UConn’s quest for a fourth straight national championship will include 11 nonconference games, including four at home. The Huskies open the regular season in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 16 against Ohio State. UConn’s home opener is Nov. 23 against Kansas State.
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