New Haven, Conn. – Towards the end of the women's basketball season, junior communications majors Alexis Mack and Elizabeth Nagy produced a documentary-style video on junior Liz Falcigno and senior Olivia Sutherland.  The two female student-athletes share a tragic, yet inspiring story that impacted both their lives and basketball careers.

Four years ago, the women's basketball team gained a new head coach, J.R. Fredette.  Since then, Coach J.R.'s mission was to build the women's basketball program to something special.  This past winter, the 2015-16 women's basketball team was just that.  The Falcons ended their season with an overall record of 14-12.

The team's victories were not the only things that made their season special.  This winter, the women defined what it means to be a team and a strong support system.  During the year, Falcigno lost her mother, Constance "Connie" Falcigno, to cancer.  With love and support from her teammates, Falcigno continued to play.

Much of that love and support for Falcigno came from Sutherland.  In 2014, Sutherland lost her father, George, to a heart attack.  Instead of quitting the game she loves, Sutherland spent the following years bettering herself as an athlete and a young woman.  The positivity and strength that Sutherland displays can be seen in her teammates as well. The squad knew that these two qualities, along with love and support, are what would build the team's bond and help them to excel.

During the months of February, March and April, Mack sat down with Falcigno and Sutherland to talk about their losses and why they are "Playing for Parents".

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