TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati athletics department mourns the loss of Florence Sifa, a former women's basketball student-athlete, who passed unexpectedly on Monday.
Sifa, or "FoFo" as her teammates affectionately knew her, played in 54 games with 33 starts at Cincinnati from 2018-20 after beginning her career at Jacksonville College. In her time with the Bearcats, the standout guard led the program to consecutive 20-win campaigns for the first time in almost two decades and an appearance in the 2019 WNIT Quarterfinal, one of the best postseason runs in program history. Sifa was also honored as the 2019 American Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year.
"FoFo was a leader for our Bearcats women's basketball program who had a radiant personality and a will to win in all aspects of her life that was infectious," Director of Athletics John Cunningham said. "When I first arrived here at Cincinnati, I was immediately drawn to FoFo, while watching her on the court – her heart and her hustle. This is truly a sad day for Cincinnati Athletics. We mourn her loss. Her family is in our prayers."
She averaged 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game in her career, adding 60 steals.
A proud native of Bujumbura, Burundi, Sifa starred for Burundi's Berco Stars and represented her country on the international stage.
"Our Bearcats family is deeply saddened by the news of losing one of our own," Cincinnati women's basketball head coach Katrina Merriweather said. "While I didn't have the pleasure of coaching FoFo, anyone who has worn this jersey is family. We send our love to her family, loved ones, friends, coaches and teammates."
Sifa, or "FoFo" as her teammates affectionately knew her, played in 54 games with 33 starts at Cincinnati from 2018-20 after beginning her career at Jacksonville College. In her time with the Bearcats, the standout guard led the program to consecutive 20-win campaigns for the first time in almost two decades and an appearance in the 2019 WNIT Quarterfinal, one of the best postseason runs in program history. Sifa was also honored as the 2019 American Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year.
"FoFo was a leader for our Bearcats women's basketball program who had a radiant personality and a will to win in all aspects of her life that was infectious," Director of Athletics John Cunningham said. "When I first arrived here at Cincinnati, I was immediately drawn to FoFo, while watching her on the court – her heart and her hustle. This is truly a sad day for Cincinnati Athletics. We mourn her loss. Her family is in our prayers."
She averaged 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game in her career, adding 60 steals.
A proud native of Bujumbura, Burundi, Sifa starred for Burundi's Berco Stars and represented her country on the international stage.
"Our Bearcats family is deeply saddened by the news of losing one of our own," Cincinnati women's basketball head coach Katrina Merriweather said. "While I didn't have the pleasure of coaching FoFo, anyone who has worn this jersey is family. We send our love to her family, loved ones, friends, coaches and teammates."