Jennifer Azzi, 50, is one of the few such faces in the history of women’s sports who occasionally give their all to work for the betterment of women. Aside from her own obligations, the former basketball head coach of the women’s team at the University of San Francisco is currently (2019) leading the second NBA Academy India Women’s program. The event itself explicitly added to her previous accomplishments and wins.
Looking back, Jennifer Azzi was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame from 2010 to 2016. During her six-year reign, the Olympic and FIBA world champion led the USF team to a remarkable turnaround.
Jennifer stepped down from her position and became involved in global women’s programs, including the NBA’s seven academies.
In terms of physical stature, she stands at 5 feet and 8 inches (1.73 meters) tall and weighs between 140 and 150 pounds.
Coming Out as a Gay Person
Jennifer decided to come out as gay on March 31, 2016, at the Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty Award ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel. When she introduced Rick Welts, the first American sports executive to come out as gay, she said that it was Rick who inspired her to break free from the shell she had been hiding in for so long. Her precise words were,
I, too, spent a long time not being completely honest. It’s kind of like the don’t-ask-don’t-tell rule. And it’s so ridiculous. I’m not sure why we do it, but we do. I work as a college coach. Is it going to hurt my recruiting efforts? What will the public think? And you’re always worried about those things. What I realized while following Rick on his path and journey is that nothing is more powerful than living the truth. And being authentic and true to myself is the best thing I can do for my team.
Not only that, but it was only then that everyone learned about her previously unknown marriage to one of her assistant coaches at USF. The entire process, she claims, was an attempt to be genuine and true to herself.
A month later, in response to the buzz surrounding the lesbian issues, the Catholic University coach stated unequivocally that any students or athletes who had “an issue” with her sexuality and relationships were no longer welcome on the team.
Jennifer Azzi: Married?
Jennifer received not only a fulfilling career but also a partner to support her through life’s ups and downs. The star coach secretly married the love of her life and her colleague of six years, Blair Hardiek, in August of 2015.
After a year and a half, they welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Macklin Robert Hardiek Azzi, after each other’s names.
After a few years of blissful marriage, they have already grown so much as a family. Her wife, like Jennifer, has a demanding career. Nonetheless, they make an effort to be there for one another and, most importantly, for their child.
You May Also Like To Read: Brendon Burchard, Mia Hayward, Jo Ling Kent, Andrew Dunbar