Fairfield University alumna Tara Flaherty has signed a contract to play professional basketball for Basketball Club “ZKK Pula” in the first division in Croatia. The is the second member of the Stags Class of 2010 to sign a professional contract this year and the fourth Stag in four years to continue their playing career after graduation. Flaherty is scheduled to leave for Croatia within a few days and expects to see game action sometime next week.

“I am super-excited to be continuing my basketball career,” said Flaherty, “and I appreciate the opportunity that I have been presented with.  Croatia is a beautiful place and I am looking forward to the experience.”

Flaherty, who earned a B.A. in New Media/TV & Film in May, appeared in 117 games – with 44 starting nods - over the course of her four-year career with the Stags. She finished her playing days with 449 points and 383 rebounds. Flaherty shot 47.6 percent from the floor over the course of her career and finished with 81 assists, 57 steals and 42 blocked shots.

“I am very happy for Tara,” said Stags fourth-year head coach Joe Frager.  “This is something she has really wanted, and I could not be more pleased that she is getting her shot at pro ball.  Tara showed great determination and patience through the process and it paid off for her.  I'm confident that Tara will be successful in Croatia”.

The Fairfield women's basketball team posted its second 20-win season in three seasons, going 20-12 in 2009-10. For the first time since 2001 the Stags advanced to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship Game and played in the Women's Basketball Invitational. The Stags hosted their first-ever national postseason game in the WBI, defeating #4 seed Towson, before falling to the eventual champion, Appalachian State, in the quarterfinals. In three seasons under Frager the Stags have compiled 60 wins and advanced to at least the semifinals of the conference championship each season.