Rouge et Or: a major acquisition for the women’s basketball program

Already banking on a formidable lineup, the Rouge et Or of Laval University will be able to count on an NCAA transfer in its already well-stocked arsenal.

After four seasons with the Butler Bulldogs in the Big East Conference which includes in its ranks the UConn Huskies, a power every year, Rosemarie Dumont decided to come home.

“My first two seasons were difficult with COVID-19,” said the 6’1” winger. On two occasions, I went eight to ten months without seeing my family. International students couldn’t really travel for fear that we wouldn’t be able to return to the United States.”

The former member of the Dynamiques de Sainte-Foy spent a few Christmases with our neighbors to the South. “The leave was very short and it wasn’t worth coming back,” she explained. Girls invited me to their homes so I wouldn’t be alone. I still talk to my former teammates every day.”

Dumont didn’t hesitate about her destination when she decided to leave Butler. “By opting for Laval, I find my family, I join a super strong team where I find several former teammates [Sabrine Khelifi, Léa-Sophie Verret et Frédérique Beauchemin-Blais] and I will be able to complete my master’s degree in business administration.”

As has become a big trend in the NCAA and all sports, Dumont could have entered the transfer portal, but she decided that this option was not worth it.

“Because I hadn’t played much and didn’t have good statistics, there wasn’t much interest in a good conference,” she said. I could have chosen a weaker conference, but I risked ending up at a school that was weaker academically. I didn’t know what to expect and it was far better to come back to Quebec. William [Giroux] did a phenomenal job with the Rouge et Or and I knew what to expect.”

Great experience

While she didn’t get the playing time she wanted and COVID-19 complicated things, Dumont loved her NCAA experience. “I really, really, really enjoyed my experience,” she said. I had a scholarship that covered everything and the coaches were great with everyone. No matter the playing time, all the girls were treated well.”

She also enjoyed everything that surrounds the daily life of a first division NCAA team and life in Indianapolis. “We always traveled by charter flight, stayed in nice hotels and ate in nice restaurants. I was also involved in the community and interned at a company owned by a former WNBA star player where I managed to improve the supply chain.”

If Dumont is happy to return home, Guillaume Giroux is happy to welcome her. “Rosemarie will contribute to rebounding and offensively,” said the Rouge et Or head coach. “She sometimes trained with us when she returned to Quebec during the summer. She played with all the girls from Sainte-Foy.”

How are his first steps going with his new team? “The pace in training is very good and our guards have nothing to envy of those of Butler. I had meniscus surgery in April and I have to adapt.”