Geraghty, Ellen

The first time Ellen Geraghty learned to shoot a basketball, she was about 13 years old and she was wearing skateboard pads. She remembers attempting an "awkward granny shot" and doesn’t think she even hit the rim, but she remembers how being introduced to basketball that day changed her life forever. She went on to become the all-time leading scorer at The Gilbert School with 1,806 points, a four-time All-Berkshire League and three-time all-state selection, and later won two America East Conference titles and played in a WNIT and two NCAA tournaments at the University of Maine. Ellen remembers that first moment being introduced to basketball so distinctly, in fact, in the driveway of former Torrington High School standout Kristin (Wagenknecht) Branem, that it is Kristin serving as her presenter today as Ellen enters the Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

"The opportunity to play basketball has impacted the entire trajectory of my life," Ellen said. "It is a game I am so passionate about for so many reasons. Basketball has provided me with life-long world-wide relationships with dear coaches/teammates and friends, quality time with family, the opportunity to see the world and experience incredible places, the transformative lessons of work ethic, being present, working as a team and the resilience to compete and perform under pressure.”

"As I have moved away from the court, I'm also very thankful that basketball introduced me to so many role-models, many of whom are here today, whom have taught me lessons about how to conduct myself professionally - in both victory and defeat - that I still carry with me daily."

Ellen is a 1998 graduate of Gilbert, where she played point guard for coach Gerry Hicks. She became known as a deft passer, setting the program record for assists with more than 600. The Yellowjackets finished 78-25 in her career with a Berkshire League title and conference tournament championship. Her team also reached the Class M state tournament semifinals during the 1995 season. Ellen was the two-time captain and was inducted by Gilbert in 2007 as one of the school's Distinguished Alumni in Athletics. She was recognized by the Waterbury Republican-American in the Hoop Zone Hall of Fame in 2015 as one of the "best players of all-time" from area high schools, and recognized on the All Time New Haven Register All State Basketball Team for 1998.

Ellen graduated from Maine in 2003 with a degree in psychology, while helping lead the Black Bears to an unbeaten America East regular season in 2003 and NCAA tournament berths in 1999 and 2000, and was a part of three 20-plus win seasons. During and after her time at Maine, she competed for Athletes in Action in the U.S., Czech Republic, Spain and Colombia and she added stints as a professional in Sweden and Colombia. Ellen served as an assistant coach for three seasons at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia.

A resident of Swampscott, Massachusetts, Ellen received her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University in 2017 and is currently a mobile crisis clinician for Eliot Community Human Services, a non-profit organization in Lynn, Massachusetts. She enjoys riding and working with horses and has an interest in equine-facilitated learning as well as metal health in athletics, and loves supporting her nieces and nephews. She is especially thankful to her parents, siblings and their families for their unconditional support during her playing career - "I am overwhelmed with gratitude!" she said - and recalls fondly scoring her 1,000th point for Gilbert on her home court in front of family, friends, and many wonderful Gilbert supporters!

"Savor each moment," Ellen said, asked if she had any advice for prospective players. "Basketball is a gift. Respect and enjoy all the people around you (on and off the court). Always be humble and grateful and when possible pay it forward!"