WHGBL Purpose & History

Our Purpose

We strive to provide a safe, positive and enjoyable environment for all participants. Our focus is on developing each individual's self-esteem, while facilitating an enjoyable experience that encourages each player to reach their potential. As a teaching league, our main goal is to help players develop “LEADERSHIP CORE VALUES” through understanding the fundamentals of the game of basketball.

The WHGBL was established to promote the fundamentals of basketball through:

  • Commitment

  • Team work

  • Sportsmanship

  • Fair play

  • Hard work

  • Fun!

Our History

The West Hartford Basketball League was founded in 1988 to provide a place for girls to play basketball in the town of West Hartford. Dr David Weil, D.D.S. was the first president of the league that he created for his daughter, Marni, to play basketball.

The founding executive board members included John Pendergast, Cindy Jaworski, Bert Seiferheld, Dan Doyle, Kathy Doyle, Dave Handley, and Rod Steier. The league was established to promote the fundamentals of basketball through commitment, team work, sportsmanship, fair play, hard work, and fun.

​Past presidents of the league include David Weil, Bert Seiferheld, Doug Packard, Susan Finnegan, Adela Bernard, Jim Buikus, Dana Gordon, Mike LaMarco, and Lynn Benjamin (2017 - 2020).

The league has instituted several recognition programs to honor and recognize their players. The league has a Jim Buikus award provided to one player in the Seniors Division voted as the Most Improved Player in the division. In 2002, the league began to award the Kathy M. Doyle Sportsmanship Award to one player on each team in each division who demonstrates excellence in sportsmanship. In 2003, the league began to award the Elmer Jardine Person of the Year Award to recognize adults who have made significant contributions to the basketball league. Kathy Doyle and Jim Buikus have been the two recipients of this award. In 2024, Craig Tanner became the third person to receive this award.

In 2004, the league began to award college scholarships to 1-2 former WHGBL players who are chosen based on their writing sample describing the impact that West Hartford Girl’s Basketball has on their development. Since 2004, the league has awarded scholarships to numerous West Hartford girls.

Kathy M. Doyle - former board memeber and Elmer Jardine Person of the Year

Craig Tanner - board member and Elmer Jardine Person of the Year

The league has had four divisions during its history of providing basketball opportunities for West Hartford girls. There has been a Minor Division for grades 3-4 (2005 to present), Junior division for grades 5-6 (1988-present), Senior Division for grades 7-8 (1988 to present), and Alumni Division for grades 9-12 (2004 to 2007).

In 2005, the league began to offer a Summer Blacktop League. This opportunity was instituted by Leslie Ryan, Ed Connor, Kevin Connor, Jay McDonough, and Jim Buikus and has been managed by volunteers every summer from 2005 to present.

In the summer of 2020, there was no Summer Blacktop League due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the winter of 2020, there was no winter season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2023 the board voted to add a Director of Parent Perspective, an Assistant Director of Training and Development, a Director of Public Relations and an Assistant Secretary positions to the board. There was no Summer Blacktop League due to the resignation of the Summer Blacktop League Director.

At the February, 2024 Board Meeting, the WHGBL Board of Directors voted to look at redesigning the Summer Blacktop League for 2024. At the April 2024 meeting the board voted to eliminate the Summer Blacktop League for the foreseeable future as it did not align with the future strategy of the organization.