HAWKS IN THE PROS
A select group of University of Hartford athletes have moved on to play in the professional ranks: (click on a players name to go to their professional biography)
Jeff Bagwell - The University of Hartford's most prominent baseball alumnus, Bagwell is a 14-year veteran and four-time all-star with the Houston Astros. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1991 and the Most Valuable Player in 1994.
Vin Baker - Hartford's all-time leading scorer in men's basketball, Baker is a 12-year NBA veteran and a four-time all-star. He was drafted eighth overall in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and was the first player from a New England college or university selected as a lottery pick.
Jerry Kelly - A two-time winner on the PGA Tour, Kelly wrapped up the 2004 season by finishing in the top 30 and earning more than $2 million for the third straight year. He also earned a spot on the President's Cup team in 2003.
Tracey Kelusky - Currently a member of the National Lacrosse League's Calgary Roughnecks, Kelusky was the first pick in the NLL entry draft in 2000 and was the league's rookie of the year in 2001. He was recently named the MVP of the 2005 NLL All-Star Game.
Tim Petrovic - A member of the PGA Tour since 2002, Petrovic has finished in the top 100 in three straight seasons. With two career runner-up finishes to this credit, he broke out in 2005 with his first career victory at the Zurich Classic.
Patrick Sheehan - Sheehan had a career year in 2004 in just his second season as a full-time PGA TOUR member. He made over $1 million and had three top-10s, incuding a runner-up finish.
Saralyn Smith - Smith is in her fifth season on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. Along with her partner Ann WIndes, Smith finished in the top-20 in 12 different events in 2005. Three of those finishes were in the top-10. At Hartford Smith holds the number one spot in the career blocks per game (1.11). She is also in the top-five in career block assists and hitting percentage. Smith also holds the number one spot in single season blocks per game (1.29).
Earl Snyder - Snyder, the Hartford record holder in hits (222), runs (146), home runs (53), RBI (173) and total bases (423), was drafted by the New York Mets in 1998. He has since played stints with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox and is currently a member of the Cincinnati Reds farm system.