Uncasville, CT (April 21, 2022) – Today, the Connecticut Sun announced a partnership with Post University. Post University—an academic institution located in Waterbury, Connecticut that provides in-person, online and hybrid secondary education courses—is the Official Education Partner of the Connecticut Sun and Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) and will be a Jersey Patch Sponsor for the Connecticut Sun for the 2022-2026 seasons.
“Education is such a basic right and Post continually seeks out opportunities that extend access to everyone to advance learning and innovation for our community,” said Post University CEO & President John L. Hopkins. “This partnership is a winning combination and will make a substantial impact on education equity. I look forward to welcoming Sun players, the Mohegan Tribe and the employees of Mohegan Gaming into the Post family.”
The move comes as a result of the shared mission and values that Post University; MGE, Mohegan Sun and the Connecticut Sun have in changing people’s lives. For the Connecticut Sun, specifically, the partnership gives Sun players the opportunity to explore professions and gain skills that will serve them after they play their final professional basketball game. Additionally, the partnership will give post-secondary education, career development and continuing education benefits to Mohegan Sun and Connecticut Sun front office team members and their families.
“We share Post University’s people-first approach to changing lives. Our Post University collaboration will provide unprecedented access to talent development resources, added benefits, and support for our team members, whether they are pursuing more responsibility in their current profession, or seeking to make a career change across our global enterprise.” – Don Trella, Mohegan Sun Vice President of Human Resources
In addition to the educational opportunities this partnership will foster, Post University will be joining the excitement on game days, hosting two themes nights during the 2022 season. Furthermore, after home games, the Connecticut Sun will be inviting one student to produce the “Post University, Post-Game Report,” where Post University students will have the opportunity to interview a member of the team–a chance that will give them hands-on producing and interviewing experience in a professional setting.
“From the first day with representatives from Post University, I knew this partnership was meant to be. We immediately realized how well our values aligned and that we had a shared a mission of changing people’s lives. We believe Post can help prepare Connecticut Sun players and fans to be confident, competent, and competitive participants in the global marketplace. As a former WNBA player, I can attest to the fact that we all hope we can play basketball forever. However, the reality of professional basketball is very different, and this relationship allows us to give our Connecticut Sun players an opportunity to explore post-playing career professions that fit their interests.” – Jen Rizzotti, Connecticut Sun President
Post University will be hosting a media day and ceremonial signing of the partnership on Monday, April 25 from 10:00 – 12:00 P.M. EST. The event will be an opportunity for all parties of the partnership to come together and celebrate the possibilities for educational growth and career development that this partnership will offer.
Event Details
Media Day & Ceremonial Signing of Post / Sun Partnership
Date: Monday, April 25, 2022
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Post University, Main Campus
800 Country Club Road
Waterbury, CT 06723
Parking: Please park in the North parking lot, where Mohegan / Sun guests will be greeted by Post leadership and escorted to the courtyard.
Attendees: Media, Mohegan guests, Post University leadership team, Post University associates, Post University students
VIP Guests:
Charlie Strickland, “Two Bears”, Chairman and Justice, The Mohegan Tribal Council of Elders
Beth Regan, “Morning Deer”, Vice Chairwoman and Justice, The Mohegan Tribal Council of Elders
Jennifer Rizzotti, President, Connecticut Sun
Laurie Keenan, Director Human Resources, Mohegan Sun
Morgan Tuck, Director Community Relations, Connecticut Sun
Paul Rector, Director Corporate & Community Partnerships, Mohegan / CT Sun
Run of Show
| 10:00 a.m. | Welcome and Introduction of Special Guests | Bob Simbiente, Director of Events, Post University |
| 10:05 a.m. | Partnership Announcement, Power of the Partnership | John Hopkins, CEO, Post University |
| 10:10 a.m. | “Partnership with Purpose” Advancing Equity and Social Justice through Education, Training, Career Development, and Planning | Bobby Reese, COO, Post University |
| 10:15 a.m. |
“Preparing Connecticut Sun Players and Fans to be Confident, Competent, and Competitive Participants in the Global Marketplace.” |
Jennifer Rizzotti, President, Connecticut Sun |
| 10:20 a.m. | Tribal Values & Culture in Education | Beth Regan, “Morning Deer”, Vice Chairwoman and Justice – The Mohegan Tribal Council of Elders |
| 10:30 a.m. | Tribal Values & Culture in Workforce & Community | Charlie Strickland, “Two Bears”, Chairman and Justice, The Mohegan Tribal Council of Elders |
| 10:40 a.m. | Ceremonial “Signing of the Partnership” | |
| 10:45 a.m. | Photos & Media Interaction as necessary | |
| 11:00 a.m. | Reception |
ABOUT POST UNIVERSITY:
Based in Waterbury, Connecticut, since 1890, Post University is known for its focus on providing online and on-campus students an extraordinary educational experience with a level of personalized support that addresses their needs. Among the first in the nation and the first in the state of Connecticut to offer full degrees online, Post works with students to assist them with meeting their personal aspirations and career goals. Post University accomplishes this by providing students with their own academic counselors who assist them during their time of enrollment and provide information on the variety of support services available to students and programming options in a variety of career areas. Many programs have minors and areas of concentration that allow students to focus on career areas that are of specific interest to them.
In the spring of 2021, Post established two schools at its campus – American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences and the School of Continuing Education. These schools proudly join with The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business, School of Arts & Sciences, and John P. Burke School of Public Services and Education in continuing Post University’s tradition serving the community by providing quality educational services.
Post University takes pride in its students and has a comprehensive Honors Program in place to recognize their academic achievements and scholastic accomplishments. Post University is proud of its NCAA Division II athletics program and its pioneering role in online education for more than twenty years. Post University is licensed by the state of Connecticut through the Office of Higher Education. Post University is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and has been continuously accredited since 1972.
Post is ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report and recognized as a Top Workplace USA 2021 and 2022.
ABOUT MOHEGAN GAMING & ENTERTAINMENT:
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) is a master developer and operator of premier global integrated entertainment resorts, including Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, Inspire in Incheon, South Korea and Niagara Casinos in Niagara, Canada. MGE is owner, developer, and/or manager of integrated entertainment resorts throughout the United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, as well as Northern Asia and Niagara Falls, Canada, and Las Vegas, Nevada. MGE also manages Mohegan Digital, which is an iGaming division providing cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan’s loyal fan-base and meeting the needs of new customers on a global scale. Mohegan Digital launched MoheganSunCasino.com and associated smartphone apps in Connecticut on October 19, 2021. MGE is also the owner and operator of Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the WNBA. For more information on MGE and our properties, visit mohegangaming.com.
ABOUT CONNECTICUT SUN
The Connecticut Sun is a professional women’s basketball team in the Women’s National Basketball Association that takes residence at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Established in 2003, the Connecticut Sun will celebrate its 20th Anniversary as a franchise this year. Connecticut Sun’s Home Opener will be Saturday, May 14 at 7:00 P.M. EST against the Los Angeles Sparks. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.connecticutsun.com.
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