By Tammy Butler Battaglino, Harvard ‘95
IvyLeague.com: Why did you choose to attend an Ivy League institution?
Tammy: I chose to attend an Ivy League institution as I was excited to have the opportunity to challenge myself to my fullest potential in the classroom and on the basketball court. I came from a small town in western Massachusetts and welcomed the opportunity to expand my horizons academically, socially, and athletically. I visited a range of schools, but as soon as I walked onto the Harvard campus and spent time with the team and coaching staff, I knew that I had found home for the next four years of my life.
IvyLeague.com: What comes to mind when you think about the Ivy League?
Tammy: A global community of intellectually curious, highly capable people who are motivated to explore new experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Rigorous academics. Unlimited extra-curricular opportunities. Supportive peer, faculty, and alumni networks, both while on campus and for life.
IvyLeague.com: How do you feel your Ivy League experience helped prepare you for your career?
Tammy: My Ivy League experience, and specifically my time at Harvard, prepared me for my career as it taught me how to have the confidence to challenge myself, to be resilient in the face of setbacks, and to recognize the power of being part of a team. My Head Coach,
Kathy Delaney-Smith, was an incredible role model for all of us. She was ahead of her time in fighting for gender eqity across the campus and league. Kathy empowered all of us and taught us to believe in ourselves on and off the court. Her rallying cry of “act as if” is a message that I carry with me to this day. Kathy pushed all of us to be our best selves, and to realize that would only happen if we brought out the best in those around us. As the sole captain my senior year, our team rose because of the strength of our younger classes. I drew upon my experience with my teammates at Harvard many times as a Senior Partner in a consulting firm helping to build a Global Education Practice.
IvyLeague.com: What makes an Ivy League experience different from other schools?
Tammy: When I think about the Ivy League, and Harvard, I cherish the myriad of experiences that made my four years in Cambridge so special, and unique. I think about my teammates who were talented on and off the court—demonstrated by their success post college as dedicated parents, educators, doctors, lawyers, musicians, business executives, professional basketball players, youth coaches, and even the Attorney General of Massachusetts. I think about my committed coaches who established high expectations and pushed us hard to achieve them, all the while communicating an unfailing confidence in us as players and as students. I think of my esteemed Economics and Psychology professors who encouraged intellectual inquiry and sparked curiosity to always dig deeper into questions and research. I think of my mail room co-workers, who made 6 a.m. mail runs not only bearable but fun, especially
Shirley Washington. I think of Mather House HAND and the sports camps we created for Cambridge youth. I think of St. Paul’s and Father Hehir who supported our team. I think of the Harvard Police, especially
George Downing, who was known to join us for a meal in the dining hall and even offer courtesy shuttles across the bridge to practice or games, always providing an invaluable pep talk or life lesson along the way. The Ivy League institutions are unique in their ability to provide such a rich web of transformative life experiences and lifelong connections to all students, especially student-athletes.
IvyLeague.com: What off-court accomplishment are you most proud of/has the most significance to you?
Tammy: While at Harvard, being elected Class Marshal for the Harvard Class of 1995 is one of my proudest off-court accomplishments. Students are nominated and elected by their peers. There is no campaigining involved. I was touched to be honored by my talented classmates in this way. Since Harvard, my proudest accomplishment is my family. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband of almost 20 years,
Paul Battaglino. We have two incredible children,
John (13), and
Tara (10).
IvyLeague.com: How did your Ivy League experience compare to your expectations?
Tammy: Far exceeded. On the court, I was surrounded by incredible athletes, many of whom chose Harvard over scholarship offers. Despite the individual talent, the team came first, for everyone. We rose and fell together, learning invaluable life lessons along the way and cementing lifelong friendships. Off the court, I benefited from an wide ranging network of friends from my dorm, mail room job, volunteer work and other extra-curriculars, which exposed me to a rich set of experiences and provided a strong network of support and lifelong friends whom I cherish to this day.
IvyLeague.com: How has Ivy League basketball evolved since your time as a student-athlete?
Tammy: It is humbling to return to the Lavietes Gym each season and observe the talent on the court. The athleticism and skill level of the players has evolved with each generation. I am proud to be part of the Harvard Basketball legacy, and look forward to celebrating the program’s continued success in the future.
IvyLeague.com: What is it like when you meet another former Ivy League student-athlete, and have you ever worked with another former Ivy League student-athlete?
Tammy: Whenever I meet other Ivy-League student-athletes, there is an immediate connection. There is a mutual respect and understanding regarding what it took to succeed in the classroom while juggling the demands of Division I athletics.
IvyLeague.com: What kind of relationship do you have with those you competed against during your time as a student-athlete?
Tammy: I cross paths with numerous players against whom I competed while at Harvard. We often laugh as we reminisce about the “big” games, and even play pick-up together in local leagues. We share the reality that our first step is not as quick as it used to be, and bond over life since college!
IvyLeague.com: What does it mean to you to be a Legend of Ivy League Basketball?
Tammy: I am truly honored to be recognized as a Legend of the Ivy League. Having played in Lavietes Gym, it means a great deal to be inducted alongside
Ray Lavietes, a true legend on and off the court. I am proud to follow in the footsteps of my teammates,
Alison Feaster and
Jessica Gelman.
IvyLeague.com: What are you looking forward to most about the Ivy League Basketball Tournaments?
Tammy: I am excited to watch the teams compete for a chance to play in the NCAA tournament with my family. I have regaled my son and daughter with tales from my playing days and will delight in them experiencing the energy of the tournament for themselves.
IvyLeague.com: Are you still involved with your alma mater, and if so how?
Tammy: I received my MBA from the Harvard Business School and my M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I have been involved with Harvard since I graduated through the Alumni Association, Varsity Club, and the Friends of Harvard Basketball. I was fortunate to play for Kathy Delaney-Smith, an Ivy League coaching legend, who is still coaching the Harvard Women’s team this season. Because of Kathy, I am still actively involved with Harvard Women’s Basketball as a supporter and fan. My kids jump at any chance to head to Lavietes and see the team in action.
Tammy Butler Battaglino was a Harvard women's basketball student-athlete from 1991-95. She is a member of the 2019 Class of Legends of Ivy League Basketball that will be formally honored during the 2019 Ivy League Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments on Saturday, March 16, at the John J. Lee Amphitheater in New Haven, Conn. Purchase tickets at
IvyMadness.com.