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Mullaney bolts CSU to play for Buffaloes

CU coach: Prank gone wrong likely prompted change

B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 24, 2007 at midnight

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COLORADO SPRINGS - Kathy McConnell-Miller continues to fill out her University of Colorado women's basketball roster, with the latest addition arriving unexpectedly from an in- state rival.

McConnell-Miller confirmed Wednesday that Kelly Jo Mullaney, a 5-foot-8 freshman guard last season with Colorado State, will be admitted to CU and be eligible to play in 2008-09 after sitting out a mandatory transfer season.

Mullaney, the Rams' leading scorer (14.5 points) through 13 games last season, was one of four players suspended for a month in mid-January for her role in an intended prank that resulted in charges of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor, for each player.

The foursome placed a chemical bomb outside the front door of a teammate's apartment, believing the device would result in a loud explosion. There were no injuries or property damage. Two players were reinstated to the team, while two others, including Mullaney, decided not to rejoin the squad.

Before her suspension, Mullaney scored a team-high 17 points when CU beat CSU 56-51 in Boulder. In that game, McConnell-Miller said she was "extremely impressed" with Mullaney's "confidence and composure as a freshman, especially coming to a Big 12 school against Big 12 players."

McConnell-Miller said the definitive explanation of why Mullaney wanted to transfer would "have to come from her. (But) I think the way everything transpired, she felt it was never going to be right (at CSU) for her.

"It became an issue on the team, and she felt like, over four years, that would be her mark and would stay with her. She felt like she needed a change, but she really loved the state of Colorado."

Mullaney has strong Colorado ties; her father played football at CSU and an uncle was a CU athlete.

Of Mullaney's ability, McConnell-Miller said, "She's got a scorer's mentality and is a really fiery player. We looked at her initially early in the recruiting process and made some contact, (but) we ended up going in a different direction.

"But I'm really, really impressed with her. She's a great kid from a good family."

Mullaney, of Minneapolis, did not return telephone messages.