Written for UNOPrivateers.com by Athletic Media Relations Feature Writer Tim Shannon.
NEW ORLEANS – After playing four years of women's college basketball for the New Orleans Privateers during some transitional years for the university, former guard
Mirjam Sipos has earned a post as a graduate assistant in the athletic department.
Sipos, who played all four years of her college career at UNO, remains part of a program that is committed to making athletics a viable part of the university.
Currently she handles marketing and promotions for the department, as well as many day-to-day operations. Sipos said that she was very happy to stay around after she received her bachelor's degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism.
"I really like New Orleans," said Sipos. "I wanted to stay here because I like the HRT program, plus, I wanted to be part of the 'New Look, New League, NewO', so I tried to stick around and it happened."
Sipos begins her graduate assistantship in a time where UNO Athletics is beginning a new full-scale effort to revamp itself after the transition period between the school changing to the University of Louisiana System and the fluctuations between divisions.
During her basketball career, Sipos was the only scholarship student-athlete on the women's basketball team at UNO during her sophomore season, when the school announced its intention to move to non-scholarship Division III.
"It was really hard, "said Sipos, "I didn't want to leave, I wanted to stay."
"I knew something good has to happen after the downslope. We just had to wait a couple years. Even though we eventually stayed in Division I, we did not get to play in a conference. It was challenging. There were big differences, but you just have to adapt."
And adapt she did. Sipos started all 26 games in her junior year during the 2011-12 season and was the Privateers' leading scorer with 315 points. She also led in eight other categories and played a full 40 minutes in six games. In her senior season, she started 25 of 26 games and recorded 30 steals.
Sipos originally came to New Orleans from Sopron, Hungary with a strong desire to play college basketball in the United States. She asked her friend and former UNO head volleyball coach, Joszef Forman for a chance to play college basketball in the U.S. The rest is history.
Today she receives high praise from Director of Athletics
Derek Morel and the rest of her colleagues at the athletic department.
"She is a surefire person to work for us here," said Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations
Brandon Rizzuto. "She had been with us through so much over the years. When she approached us about being a graduate assistant, it was something that Derek and I felt strongly about that she could help our department."
As part of the department's support for the recent cross country meet at UNO, Sipos also took part in the event coordinating with volunteers who were on hand for the event.
Sipos has also been called the face of the Privateer women's basketball team because she was an inspired player during hard times. She remains committed to UNO, and it shows.
"She has one of those personalities where 'everyone likes Mirjam,'" added Rizzuto. "She is always smiling, and she brings an athletic mentality, meaning that she is willing to put in the extra effort to make us better."
"She's a great alum, soon to be double alum. We're excited to have her."
