Peter Caty/the Mirror
The Fairfield women’s basketball program has just produced its second professional athlete this year.
Fairfield alumna Tara Flaherty ‘10 has just joined former teammate Stephanie Geehan’10 in her pursuit of a career in professional basketball.
Flaherty recently signed a contract to play professionally with Basketball Club “ZKK Pula” out of Croatia’s first division.
At the time the press release was issued one week ago, the former Stag was scheduled to leave within a few days and was hoping to see some playing time in the next week.
When asked about her new career Flaherty expressed her enthusiasm, “I am super-excited to be continuing my basketball career and I appreciate the opportunity that I have been presented with. Croatia is a beautiful place and I am looking forward to the experience.”
Over her four-year career with the Stags Flaherty started in 44 of the 117 games she appeared in. Her stint with the Stags ended with 449 points and 383 rebounds while posting a 47.6% field goal percentage. Flaherty proved to be an all around player also finishing with 81 assists, 57 steals and 42 blocked shots.
Flaherty is certainly no stranger to playing her beloved sport overseas either. In the summer of 2009 Flaherty was part of a ten person USA Athlete’s International Organization team that spent ten days playing in various cities across Europe.
The team played in England, Paris and Holland playing against a variety of local club, college and professional teams. The team posted a 4-2 record over the trip with Flaherty having her best game against a professional team in Amsterdam, in which she scored 25 points and brought in seven rebounds.
“This was a great experience,” said Flaherty. “I am glad that I had the opportunity to travel, play ball and get a taste of playing at the professional level.”
“I am very happy for Tara,” said Fairfield University’s fourth year head coach Joe Frager. “This is something she has really wanted, and I could not be more pleased that she is getting her shot at pro ball. Tara showed great determination and patience through the process and it paid off for her. I’m confident that Tara will be successful in Croatia.”
Frager’s tenure as head coach of the Stags has been a wonderful success. Under Frager the Stags have won 60 games and have advanced to at least the semi conference championship game in each season.
The 2009-2010 Stags’ record of 20-12 was their second 20-win season in three years leading to their first appearance in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship game since 2001.
The Stags also hosted their first-ever postseason game in the Women’s Basketball Invitational, defeating #4 seeded Towson, before losing to the eventual tournament champion Appalachian State, in the quarterfinals.
As the November 12th opener against Quinnipiac approaches Stag fans can look forward to seeing the next outstanding player that the team produces.
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