Posts by Natalie Heavren

Natalie Heavren has been a contributor to The Next since February 2019 and currently writes about the Atlantic 10 conference, the WNBA and the WBL.

Fifteen Milwaukee Does players sit for a team photo. #30, first row, third row from the right is Brenda Pitts.

From the court to the classroom, Alabama native Brenda Pitts changed the Tide of the sport industry

July 14, 2024

Pitts: ‘I tried out. The rest is history’

George Mason head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis shouts and points her index finger toward the opposite end of the court

Atlantic 10 notebook: Contract extensions, foreign tours

July 7, 2024

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate in the conference

UMBC head coach Candice Hill leans into the microphone with both hands during her introductory press conference. She's wearing a "Retriever gold" shirt and black blazer, matching the school's colors.

Candice Hill returns home to UMBC

April 19, 2024

Hill looks to rebuild the Retrievers’ program and compete for championships

Saint Louis players, coaches and staff gather to take a photo with the purple 2024 Postseason WNIT Champions banner. Most are wearing white hats and either wearing or holding up black championship shirts. One player is also holding the trophy with a smile.

How Saint Louis won its first WNIT championship 

April 12, 2024

Rebecca Tillett: ‘We want to do big things together. And we just did’

Several players gather to help their teammate who is in a seated position off the ground. Another player screams while clenching their fists. In the background the head coach is clapping.

How Saint Louis is taking names and eating ice cream in the WNIT

April 3, 2024

Kyla McMakin: ‘It is fun creating history together with people you love’

Peyton Kennedy (32) puts her right bicep and upper forearm into the UMass defender while dribbling the ball with her left hand towards the basket.

A-10 postseason notebook: Saint Louis advances to WNIT Great 8

March 31, 2024

Saint Joseph’s and Duquesne see their seasons end

On the left, UConn huddles up during its First Round game against Jackson State. On the right, Syracuse's Dyaisha Fair jumps in the air, clenching her fists and screams in celebration.

NCAA Tournament first round notebook from Storrs

March 24, 2024

UConn and Syracuse victories set up match between former BIG EAST foes

Richmond head coach Aaron Roussell draws up a play on a white board and is explaining to his team what he wants done out of the timeout. The team is focused on what he is saying.

‘I could not have been prouder’: Richmond’s historic season ends in the NCAA Tournament

March 24, 2024

The Spiders reflect on the journey as their season comes full circle

The Richmond players ran, jumped and hugged each other in a cluster to celebrate the team's A-10 championship win.

What to watch for from Atlantic 10 teams in the postseason

March 21, 2024

A-10 teams are heading to the NCAA Tournament, WBIT and WNIT

The Richmond Spiders pose with their championship hats and t-shirts with the A-10 championship trophy and newly punched giant ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Many members of the team and staff are holding up their pointer finger signaling "1."

Sights and sounds from Richmond’s first A-10 Tournament title

March 11, 2024

The Spiders are going dancing for the first time since 2005