The Rensselaer women’s basketball team is justly proud of its history as part of Rensselaer athletics. Since its inception, the program has had ten different head coaches, including current mentor John Greene, while posting an impressive overall record of 393-284. Teams have made numerous post-season appearances in league, ECAC, and NCAA tournaments.

Now you can support women’s basketball by honoring Laurie “Shoe” Hendler ’86, a basketball player who passed away. Laurie was admired by the entire Rensselaer community – teammates, coaches, staff, alumnae/alumni, and friends. Laurie was the school’s all-time leader in assists, an honor that personifies the commitment and team spirit of women’s basketball and the Rensselaer community, past and present.

Rensselaer has launched a major development of its athletic facilities with the East Campus Athletic Village (ECAV). The ECAV will include a new arena, featuring a basketball performance court with bleacher seating for 1,200 spectators, a practice court, a basketball coaching suite, locker rooms, and a professional-caliber Sports Medicine and Strength and Conditioning Center. In addition, the Basketball Arena will accommodate convocations, campus speakers, concerts, recognition events, career fairs, science fairs, and alumni events. Check on the construction progress of the ECAV.

Please join with us to raise $200,000 and name the Women’s Basketball Locker Room in honor of Laurie Hendler and all the members of the women’s basketball family. The special nature of this fund-raising effort allows us to spread our gifts over a five-year period.

“Laurie Hendler gained the respect and friendship of her teammates, as well as acquaintances. If each one of us calculates the value of the friendships we made on the court at Rensselaer, I am sure we can fully fund the women’s locker room in the East Campus Athletic Village, honor Laurie, and set an example for new generations of women players.”

Kim Kalajainen ’90,
Women's Basketball Player

You can make a gift online by designating your gift to the East Campus Varsity Basketball Laurie Hendler Yacono’86 Fund. Please contact Shelly Gebhardt, or call 518-276-6438 for more information or to make your gift.