Buffs Enjoy Sixth Annual One-On-One Event

CU women's basketball player Ariana Freeman (on the right)

October 24, 2016 | Women's Basketball

BOULDER – On Sunday afternoon the University of Colorado opened up the doors of the Coors Events Center to friends, family and supporters of the women's basketball program during the sixth annual One-On-One event.

A favorite event among Buffs fans, the One-On-One event's premise is that each student-athlete is paired up with a prominent female member of the university's faculty/staff. These faculty members met with their players Sunday where they spent the time getting to know each player, beginning a professional relationship.

"I think I said it at least three times today to the women on our team," said former CU women's basketball head coach Ceal Barry "That they need to continue the relationships they've made through this event because the connections made here create important relationships for our women going forward."

Each faculty member brought their paired player up onto the stage, where they introduced their player giving a little bit of a background of where they're from and what their goals are going forward. The questions, besides being humorous and leading to many laughs among the fans who attended, allowed for the fans to see another side of each player and a little bit of what each one's life off the court is all about.

Barry, who held a similar event during her tenure, again acted as emcee for the event introducing each pair to the stage before handing things over to each presenter. "The collaboration between faculty on the Boulder campus with the athletics department is important," said Barry. "The fact that new head coach JR Payne wanted to do this and that she thought it was a really neat thing that we did, it just made it easier to put on the event."

Questions asked ranged from serious question such as, "who inspired you?" to lighter questions like "what is your favorite television show is?" Senior Bri Watts let the crowd know what her favorite show was and told everyone to check out, "Keeping Up with The Kardashians, even though my teammates tell me I'm losing brain cells by watching the show."

Sophomore guard Kennedy Leonard seemed to take center stage halfway through the event, showing off her talents on the dance floor, by performing the "worm" in front of the crowd who cheered her on as she rippled across the floor.

Once the presentations where finished, Payne took the stage to thank the people involved with putting together the One-On-One event and she took the time to introduce her new coaching staff. Payne also thanked everyone in attendance for their support of CU's women's basketball, and reminded them to be in the Coors Events Center on Nov. 13, for the Buffs' home opener against Air Force.

Video: Ceal Barry introduces JR Payne

Below is a list of the campus leaders who participated and the student-athlete they were paired with:
Aisha Jackson, Assistant Director of Director of Academic Technology Applications, Office of Information Technology – Sophomore guard Ariana Freeman

Elizabeth Meyer, Associate Dean for Teacher Education – Junior center Zoe Correal

Akirah Bradley, Dean of Students and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs -- Senior forward Haley Smith

Mary Kraus, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education – Senior center Bri Watts

Denitta Ward, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Director, Office of Contracts and Grants – Freshman guard Quinessa Caylao-Do

Terry Morreale, Associate Director and CTO, NCWIT – Sophomore guard Kennedy Leonard

Nicole Jenkins, Assistant Director, Communications and Training, Office of Contracts and Grants – Junior guard Brecca Thomas

Teresa Wroe, Director of Education/Deputy Title IX Coordinator – Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance – Redshirt freshman forward Monica Burich

Terrie Fiez, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation – Senior forward Zoe Beard-Fails

Ann Scarritt, Director, Leadership RAP, Ethnic Living and Learning Community (ELLC) and Chancellors (CLSP) Leadership Studies Programs – Sophomore forward Makenzie Ellis

Loretta Wahl, Director of TRiO Student Support Services – Freshman forward Eleanor Jones

Cindy Hagemeier White, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Curriculum, College of Media, Communication and Information – Sophomore guard Alexis Robinson

Elvie Strehle-Henson, Managing Associate University Counsel – Senior forward Lauren Huggins