Patti Ann Stanziani

Year:

2011

Team:

Women's Tennis

Focused. Competitive. Dominating.

Those are some of the words that accurately portray Patti Ann Stanziani during her glory days as a member of the Suffolk University women’s tennis team. She was the number one singles player in each of her four years for the Lady Rams, excelling on the court with the highest degree of power, grace and determination.

When she arrived at Suffolk in 1980, Stanziani remarkably never played organized tennis. She was encouraged to try out for the team by head coach Pam Rossi and classmate Bob Rauseo, the number one player on the men’s squad and a member of the inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class.

Upon developing her skills as an inexperienced but ambitious freshman, the 5-foot-8-inch Stanziani elevated her game to a whole new level. Over the next three years, she compiled an overall record of 41-4, including an impressive 15-0 mark as a senior. In her last two seasons, she was recognized for her leadership ability and athletic talent by being named team co-captain and Most Valuable Player.

Stanziani not only qualified for the Massachusetts Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women tournament, made up of the top Division III players in the state, but she won the first place title – twice. She was also ranked the number two women’s player by the New England Tennis Association her last two seasons. And as a senior, she qualified to earn a spot on the Virginia Slims professional women’s tennis traveling team.

Widely known for her explosive serve and quickness, Stanziani also played doubles for Suffolk. She credits her success swinging a racket to her work ethic, playing year round in competitive tournaments. “Playing tennis at Suffolk gave me a great foundation about working towards a goal and building confidence in myself,” she said. “It also opened up a lot of doors for me.”

Besides her tennis accomplishments, Stanziani was a productive member of the women’s basketball team for four years under Coach Rossi. An all-purpose guard who could score driving the lane or shooting from the periphery, she was co-captain of the Lady Rams her junior and senior years and named the team’s Most Valuable Player her last season.

Stanziani received her bachelor of science degree in psychology with honors from Suffolk in 1984. Her past includes positions as a local tennis pro, and tennis coach at Emmanuel College, Fontbonne Academy, Archbishop Williams High School and Boston College High School. She is now a fourth grade teacher in the Quincy Public Schools system.

Watch Patti Ann Stanziani's Induction Video Here