Irish Coaching Staff

Under head coach Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame has averaged 25 wins per year since joining the in 1995-96. Head Coach Muffet McGraw

“If we searched for an entire year, I Head Coach don’t think we would find anyone better suited for our program.” With those words, former Notre Dame 19th Season at Notre Dame athletics director Gene Corrigan 411-155 (.726) announced the hiring of Muffet McGraw as the third head coach of the Irish women’s bas- ketball program on May 18, 1987. Corrigan may 24th Season Overall not have realized it at the time, but he also ush- 499-196 (.718) ered in an era of unparalleled success in women’s at Notre Dame, brought to life on the shoulders of a 5-foot-6 dynamo who Saint Joseph’s (Pa.) ‘77 accepts nothing less than the very best from her- self, her players and her program. Ask anyone familiar with women’s basketball Notre Dame’s first victory in 2005-06, about McGraw and her Notre Dame program McGraw will become the 27th NCAA and inevitably, you’ll hear the same two words Division I coach to record 500 career — consistency and excellence. And it’s no won- wins. What’s more — if the Irish pick der, when you consider what McGraw and the up that milestone win before Dec. 5, Irish have achieved in the past 18 years: McGraw will be just the 10th • The 2001 NCAA championship, defeating Division I coach to reach the 500-vic- Purdue in the title game, 68-66. McGraw is tory mark before the age of 50. one of only seven active Division I coaches Still, with all of those accomplish- to guide her team to a national title. ments in hand, McGraw has shown • Two trips to the NCAA Final Four (1997 and no signs of slowing down any time 2001). McGraw is one of just 11 active soon. In July 2004, the veteran head Division I coaches to lead her team to multi- coach signed a contract extension ple Final Four appearances. that will keep her patrolling the Irish • Six NCAA Sweet Sixteen trips, all in the sidelines through the 2010-11 cam- past nine seasons. The Irish are one of only paign. nine programs in the nation that can make “Coaching at Notre Dame has that claim. been a dream come true for me,” • 16 seasons with 20-or-more victories, includ- McGraw says. “There’s no better ing an active streak of 12 consecutive 20-win place in the country to experience seasons. In fact, the Irish are one of just six the perfect blend of both athletics teams in the country with an ongoing streak and academics. We have built some- of that length. thing very special here and I’m • 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, includ- thrilled to continue working to ing a current string of 10 consecutive NCAA achieve the highest degree of suc- Tournament berths. During the present 10- cess that we have come to expect year streak, Notre Dame has won at least from Notre Dame women’s basket- one NCAA postseason game every season. ball.” • McGraw is one of only four coaches in “Quite simply, we believe we America who has taken her team to the have the best coach in women’s col- NCAA Sweet Sixteen at least six times since lege basketball right here at Notre 1997, while also maintaining an active Dame in Muffet McGraw,” adds Irish streak of at least 12 consecutive 20-win sea- athletics director Kevin White. sons. “She is a great fit for Notre Dame, • 47 wins over ranked opponents, including 37 and she continues to take us where in the past seven seasons alone (an average we want to go in the women’s bas- of better than five per year during that ketball world. The NCAA title in ’01, span). In addition, 18 of the past 37 wins vs. the ongoing successes we’ve had in ranked teams have come against top-10 the postseason and her recruiting opponents. efforts overall have cemented Notre Dame’s Throughout her tenure at Notre Dame, • 128 appearances in the Associated Press position as one of the elite programs in the McGraw has emphasized defense and the 2004- Top 25 poll, putting McGraw 18th among country. There are many more great days ahead 05 season was no exception, as the Irish ranked active Division I coaches on that list. Notre for our women’s basketball program, and I’m among the national leaders in field goal per- Dame also has spent 72 weeks ranked very pleased to know that Muffet will continue centage defense (14th, .355), blocked shots (21st, among the top 10 teams in the nation, all in to lead us in the right direction.” 5.1 bpg.), scoring defense (39th, 58.5) and scoring the past nine years. • • • defense (40th, 56.8 ppg.), with the latter figure • Nine top-three finishes in the BIG EAST McGraw’s latest assault on college basket- ranking as the third-lowest opponent scoring Conference during Notre Dame’s 10 years in ball’s summit began the moment she and her average in school history. that league. The Irish also won a share of team returned from St. Louis after winning the The success McGraw’s teams have shown on the 2001 BIG EAST regular-season title. 2001 national championship. defense has not been lost on other coaches • Nine consecutive top-20 recruiting classes, In the four seasons since the Irish won the around the country. Prior to his team’s NCAA dating back to the incoming class of 1997 NCAA title, Notre Dame has posted an 89-38 first-round game against the Irish last season, (according to Blue Star Index). Notre Dame (.701) record and reached the NCAA Tournament UC Santa Barbara coach Mark French said, is one of just three programs in the nation all four years, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen “When you think of great zones in the men’s that currently owns a streak of that length. twice. Last year, the Irish posted a 27-6 record, game, you think of Syracuse. When you think of matching the third-highest win total in school great zones in the women’s game, you think of Another watershed moment in McGraw’s history and were ranked as high as third in the Notre Dame.” coaching career is just around the corner. With nation, winning the Preseason WNIT along the “I’m pleased, but not at all satisfied with our way and placing among the top three in the BIG performance during the past four seasons,” EAST Conference for the ninth time in the pro- McGraw commented. “At Notre Dame, it’s gram’s 10-year membership with the league. always our goal to play for the national cham-

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME 52 pionship and we have the capability to make that goal a reality every year.” Head

• • • Coach To be sure, the night of April 1, 2001 is one McGraw and the Irish faithful will never forget. until after it joined the BIG EAST On that memorable Sunday evening in St. Louis, Conference in 1996 when, as the 12th Notre Dame defeated Purdue 68-66 as McGraw’s seed in the Midwest region, the Irish 14th Irish team won the school’s first NCAA stunned fifth-seeded and 15th-ranked women’s basketball championship. It was the Purdue, 73-60, in Lubbock, Texas. The second Final Four appearance in five years for success of that 1995-96 campaign and a McGraw’s troops, who became the only NCAA 23-8 record earned McGraw national champion to erase double-figure deficits in both recognition as well, as she was named the of its Final Four contests. Having coached the WBCA District II Coach of the Year. Irish to their best ever regular-season record at One season later, McGraw and the Irish made 26-1 and a school-record 34 wins (the second 30- an even bigger national statement, going all the win campaign in school history), and having way to the Final Four. Notre Dame compiled a guided Notre Dame to its best record (34-2) and gaudy 31-7 record (at the time the most wins in season winning percentage (.944), McGraw school history) and the first 30-win season in the earned numerous national awards for her program’s history. Also, for the first time ever, the efforts. For the first time in her career, she won Irish were ranked in both the Associated Press national coach-of-the-year honors from the and ESPN/USA Today polls from the preseason WBCA, Sports Illustrated for Women and until the end of the year. Notre Dame earned its Associated Press, as well as the Atlanta Tipoff first-ever top 10 ranking at the end of November Club, which named her the Naismith Women’s and achieved all-time high finishes in both final College Coach of the Year. joined polls, finishing fifth in the ESPN/USA Today McGraw for the latter two honors, earning AP rankings and 15th in the AP poll. and Naismith player-of-the-year laurels. Riley McGraw and the Irish got to the 1997 NCAA also was recognized as the nation’s top student- Final Four the hard way, beating three consecu- athlete when she was named the CoSIDA tive ranked opponents on the road. In its NCAA Academic All-America® Team Member of the first-round game in Austin, Texas, Notre Dame Year. cruised to a 93-62 victory over Memphis. Its sec- In addition, the New York Athletic Club hon- ond round contest matched the Irish up with ored McGraw with the 2001 Winged Foot Award, Texas. Undaunted by the hostile Longhorn which is presented annually to the coach of the coaching tenure (the East Coast Conference, crowd, Notre Dame pulled off an 86-83 upset of NCAA champion. She also was selected as the North Star Conference, Midwestern Collegiate its 14th-ranked hosts. WBCA District I Coach of the Year and was Conference and BIG EAST). Making their first-ever Sweet Sixteen appear- voted the BIG EAST Coach of the Year for the • • • ance, the Irish erased a nine-point halftime first time. The latter award gave McGraw a McGraw has led the Irish to all 12 of their deficit and went on to defeat eighth-ranked unique distinction — she has earned coach-of- NCAA Tournament appearances, the first com- Alabama, 87-71 in Columbia, S.C. Notre Dame the-year honors in all four conferences with ing in 1992 and the second in 1994. Yet, Notre then claimed the East Regional championship which she has been associated during her head Dame’s first NCAA Tournament win didn’t come and booked its first trip to the Final Four with a

Muffet McGraw’s Coaching History Year School Record Pct. Honors 1982-83 Lehigh 14-9 .609 East Coast Conference Coach of the Year 1983-84 Lehigh 13-9 .591 1984-85 Lehigh 20-8 .714 1985-86 Lehigh 24-4 .857 East Coast Conference Champion 1986-87 Lehigh 17-11 .607 5-year Lehigh total 88-41 .683

1987-88 Notre Dame 20-8 .714 North Star Conference Coach of the Year 1988-89 Notre Dame 21-11 .656 MCC Regular Season/Tournament Champion, NWIT Tournament 1989-90 Notre Dame 23-6 .793 MCC Regular Season/Tournament Champion 1990-91 Notre Dame 23-9 .719 MCC Regular Season/Tournament Champion, NWIT Tournament, MCC Coach of the Year 1991-92 Notre Dame 14-17 .451 MCC Tournament Champion, NCAA First Round 1992-93 Notre Dame 15-12 .556 1993-94 Notre Dame 22-7 .786 MCC Regular Season/Tournament Champion, NCAA First Round 1994-95 Notre Dame 21-10 .677 MCC Regular Season Champion, NWIT Tournament 1995-96 Notre Dame 23-8 .742 NCAA Second Round, WBCA District II Coach of the Year 1996-97 Notre Dame 31-7 .816 NCAA Final Four, East Regional Champion 1997-98 Notre Dame 22-10 .688 NCAA Sweet Sixteen 1998-99 Notre Dame 26-5 .839 NCAA Second Round 1999-2000 Notre Dame 27-5 .844 NCAA Sweet Sixteen 2000-01 Notre Dame 34-2 .945 NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPION, BIG EAST Regular-Season Co-Champion, Naismith Coach of the Year, Associated Press Coach of the Year, WBCA National Coach of the Year, WBCA District I Coach of the Year, BIG EAST Coach of the Year 2001-02 Notre Dame 20-10 .667 NCAA Second Round 2002-03 Notre Dame 21-11 .656 NCAA Sweet Sixteen 2003-04 Notre Dame 21-11 .656 NCAA Sweet Sixteen 2004-05 Notre Dame 27-6 .818 NCAA Second Round 18-year Notre Dame total 411-155 .726 12 NCAA Tournaments, 15 Postseason Appearances 23-year career total 499-196 .718

2005-06 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 53 62-52 win over No. 22 George Washington. Head An 80-66 loss to eventual national cham- Coach pion Tennessee couldn’t dampen what remains a defining season in the pro- gram’s history. • • • The 1997-98 campaign was expected to be a transition year as the Irish lost four starters from that first Final Four team. However, it turned out to be perhaps the best coaching effort of McGraw’s career, punctuated by one of the most stunning upsets of the 1998 NCAA Tournament The McGraw File when Notre Dame beat sixth-ranked and top-seeded Texas Tech in the second PERSONAL round of the Midwest Regional before a Birthday...... December 5, 1955 stunned Lady Raider crowd at Lubbock Birthplace ...... Pottsville, Pa. Municipal Coliseum. That win propelled Family ...... Husband, Matt McGraw’s team into the Sweet Sixteen for Son, Murphy (15) the second year in a row, resulted in a final ranking of 17th in the ESPN/USA EDUCATION Today poll and made McGraw a finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year award. High School ...... Bishop Shanahan High School During the 1998-99 season, McGraw’s College ...... Saint Joseph’s University (Pa.) charges posted an impressive 26-5 mark B.S. in sociology, 1977 and spent a school-record 16 consecutive PLAYING EXPERIENCE weeks ranked in the top 10. Notre Dame was undefeated (8-0) against non-confer- Saint Joseph’s University (Pa.) ...... 1973-77 ence opponents, registering wins at home California Dreams (WBL) ...... 1979 against UCLA (99-82) and eventual NCAA runner-up Duke (84-57), both of whom were COACHING EXPERIENCE ranked sixth at tipoff. Head Coach ...... 1977-79 The accomplishments of the Notre Archbishop Carroll High School (Radnor, Pa.) Dame program in ’98-’99 made McGraw a Assistant Coach ...... 1980-82 finalist for the Naismith Award for the sec- Saint Joseph’s University (Pa.) ond consecutive season. In addition, Riley Head Coach ...... 1982-87 became the first player to earn first-team Lehigh University AP All-America honors. Riley also was a Head Coach...... 1987-present first team CoSIDA Academic All-America® since-folded Women’s Professional Basketball honoree, the fourth player in the history of the League (WBL). She returned to her alma mater program to earn Academic All-America® acco- in 1980, serving as an assistant coach for two COACHING HONORS lades. seasons under . National Coach of the Year ...... 2001 The 1999-2000 campaign continued Notre In 1982, McGraw was named head coach at Naismith, Associated Press, WBCA, Dame’s rise up the national ladder, as the Irish Lehigh University, leading that school to Sports Illustrated for Women duplicated their record-setting accomplishment unprecedented success. Her teams were 88-41 WBCA District Coach of the Year of the 1998-99 campaign, finishing with, at the (.683) during her five-year tenure. She was District II ...... 1996 time, the best winning percentage in school his- named East Coast Conference Coach of the District I...... 2001 tory (.844) en route to a 27-5 campaign and Year following her first season with the Conference Coach of the Year return to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Notre Dame Engineers in 1982-83. Her ’84-85 and ’85-86 teams East Coast Conference...... 1983 spent all but two weeks in the top 10 of the AP posted back-to-back 20-win seasons, finishing North Star Conference ...... 1988 poll and held down the No. 5 ranking (then an 20-8 and 24-4, respectively. The latter squad won Midwestern Collegiate Conference...... 1991 all-time high) for seven of the 18 weeks. the most games in women’s basketball history BIG EAST Conference...... 2001 That would all set the stage for the memo- at the school, while claiming both the ECC reg- N.Y. Athletic Club Winged Foot Award ...... 2001 rable events of 2000-01 and Notre Dame’s ascen- ular-season and tournament titles. Gold Medalist, U.S. Olympic Festival ...... 1993 sion into the ranks of ’s elite • • • (Assistant Coach, South Team) programs. In her first season at Notre Dame (1987-88), Big Five Hall of Fame ...... 1990 • • • McGraw took a team which finished 12-15 the Saint Joseph’s Athletics Hall of Fame...... 2002 To understand the competitive fire that has previous year and guided that squad to a 20-8 Saint Joseph’s WBB Hall of Fame...... 1986 fueled much of McGraw’s success, you have to mark, including the program’s first-ever win Notre Dame Honorary Alumna ...... 1997 go back to her playing days. A four-year starter over a ranked opponent (78-66 at No. 17 Duke) as (presented by ND Monogram Club) at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, she was named North Star Conference Coach of Pa., she captained the 1976-77 Hawk team that the Year. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS finished 23-5 and was ranked third nationally. The following year, McGraw and the Irish NCAA National Championships...... 1 (2001) In four seasons at SJU, McGraw helped her moved into the Midwestern Collegiate NCAA Final Four berths ...... 2 (1997, 2001) team compile a 59-12 mark, while participating Conference (MCC) — now known as the Horizon NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances ...... 6 in the regional Eastern Association for League — and set about establishing a stan- (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004) Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (EAIAW) dard of excellence in that conference that has NCAA Tournament bids ..12 (1992, 1994, 1996-2005) tournament once and the national AIAW tour- never been duplicated. NIT Tournament bids ...... 3 (1989, 1991, 1995) ney once. In seven years as a member of the MCC, She received her bachelor’s degree in sociol- Notre Dame won five regular season and tour- OTHER PROFESSIONAL ogy from SJU in 1977. Following graduation, she nament championships, including four consec- AFFILIATIONS coached for two seasons at Philadelphia’s utive tournament crowns from 1989-92. Archbishop Carroll High School where she McGraw’s teams never finished lower than sec- Women’s Basketball Coaches Association guided her teams to a 50-3 record, including a ond in the regular season standings and WBCA Board of Directors 28-0 mark during her second year. In that ’78-79 advanced to the semifinals of the conference U.S. Commission for Opportunity in Athletics season, she led her squad to the Catholic tournament all but once. Notre Dame wound up League title and was named coach of the year compiling an 87-15 (.853) record in MCC regular- for the Philadelphia Catholic League. season games and was 13-2 (.867) in tournament McGraw then played point guard for one play. year with the California Dreams, a team in the

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME 54 While her teams’ successes in the MCC were least once in every NCAA Tournament it has impressive, McGraw and the Irish had their played in (1996-2005), posting a 22-9 (.710) record Head

sights set on bigger goals. The first of those aims in NCAA postseason play. Coach was achieved on Dec. 28, 1990, when Notre Dame • • • announced its presence on the national basket- Throughout her storied coaching career, suc- ball scene with a historic 71-66 win over No. 11 cess for McGraw has meant developing great Louisiana Tech in the first round of the Hawk players. Ruth Riley, the 2001 BIG EAST Player of Classic in McGraw’s hometown of Philadelphia. the Year, became the third Notre Dame player to The next evening, the Irish upended McGraw’s earn AP All-America honors when she was alma mater, Saint Joseph’s (Pa.), 72-53, in the named in ’99 to the third team. Riley, who was a championship game, causing Hall of Fame unanimous first-team all-BIG EAST selection in sportswriter to note in the 2000 and was the ’99 BIG EAST Defensive Player Philadelphia Inquirer the following day, “They of the Year, also earned Kodak honorable men- were the kind of wins that get a team noticed on tion All-America honors. She also was a mem- RECORD BREAKDOWN the national level.” ber of the ’99 U.S. World University Games team Overall ...... 499-196 (.718) Those words proved prophetic only days later and proudly represented her country as a mem- Record at Notre Dame ...... 411-155 (.726) when, on Dec. 31, 1990, the Irish women’s basket- ber of the gold medal-winning 2004 U.S. ball program earned the school’s first national Olympic Team. Conference ...... 231-49 (.825) ranking. Notre Dame entered the Associated Besides Riley, two players whose names are North Star ...... 7-3 (.700) Press poll at No. 25 and remained in both the AP forever linked to elevating the Notre Dame pro- Midwestern Collegiate...... 87-15 (.853) and USA Today polls for the next nine weeks, gram to national prominence are ’97 graduates BIG EAST ...... 137-31 (.815) climbing as high as 19th in the AP and 18th in and Katryna Gaither. The two- Non-Conference ...... 180-106 (.629) the USA Today poll. time Kodak and AP honorable mention All- Home ...... 200-38 (.840) The next important step in the growth of Notre Americans both scored more than 2,000 points Road...... 159-88 (.644) Dame women’s basketball under McGraw’s tute- during their careers, becoming the first two Neutral ...... 50-27 (.649) lage came in 1992, when the Irish, despite a 14- players from the same team in NCAA history 17 mark (the only losing season McGraw has (male or female) to reach that milestone. They MOST CAREER WINS AT NOTRE DAME experienced during her head coaching tenure), rank one-two, respectively, on the Irish career (MEN’S/WOMEN’S BASKETBALL) rallied to win the MCC Tournament with a 59-54 scoring list, while Gaither also stands as the Muffet McGraw (1987-present) ...... 411 upset of top-seeded Xavier in the championship school’s second all-time leading rebounder (1971-91)...... 393 finale. The win earned Notre Dame its first-ever behind Riley. Both players went on to careers at (1923-43) ...... 327 berth in the coveted NCAA Tournament field via the professional level with the now-defunct (1951-64) ...... 199 the league’s automatic bid. American Basketball League (ABL) and the John F. Dee, Jr. (1964-71) ...... 116 Two years later, the Irish was back in the Women’s National Basketball Association NCAA Tournament, once again earning the (WNBA). BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE MCC’s automatic bid. This time, Notre Dame The trio of Riley, Morgan and Gaither high- AT NOTRE DAME (MEN’S/WOMEN’S garnered additional respect from the NCAA light an impressive list of 18 Irish players who Selection Committee, picking up a home game have garnered all-conference honors during BASKETBALL - min. 5 yrs.) in the first round against Minnesota. However, McGraw’s career. In addition, the Notre Dame Bertram G. Maris (1907-12) ...... 794 (78-20) the plucky Gophers pulled out a tough 81-76 mentor has coached three conference players- George Keogan (1923-43) ...... 771 (327-97-1) decision at the Joyce Center, abruptly ending the of-the-year, three league rookies-of-the-year, Muffet McGraw (1987-present) ...... 726 (411-155) season for the Irish. Still, the lessons McGraw and 12 conference all-rookie team selections Jesse C. Harper (1913-18) ...... 686 (44-20) and her charges learned in those first two NCAA since arriving in South Bend. Edward Krause (1944, 1946-51) ...... 671 (98-48) Tournament appearances would prove invalu- • • • able — since that time, Notre Dame has won at Another sign of McGraw’s success has been McGRAW’S MILESTONE WINS her ability to prepare her players for the next AT NOTRE DAME level. No less than 12 Notre Dame cagers have gone on to play professionally, including seven No. 1 ...... Nov. 28, 1987 (67-61 at Loyola (Ill.)) who either have been drafted or signed as free No. 50 ...... Jan. 18, 1990 (81-64 vs. Marquette) agents with WNBA teams. No. 100 ...... March 13, 1992 (85-44 vs. Detroit) The past five years have seen the greatest *No. 116 ...... March 6, 1993 (74-62 vs. Evansville) influx of Irish talent into the WNBA, with five No. 200 ...... Jan. 29, 1997 (72-71 at Miami (Fla.)) Notre Dame players having been selected in No. 300 ...... Dec. 31, 2000 (80-40 vs. Rice) the league’s annual draft since 2001. Four of No. 350 ...... Dec. 31, 2002 (75-68 at Marquette) those players were starters on the ’01 Irish No. 400 ...... Jan. 23, 2005 (63-47 vs. Rutgers) * surpassed Mary DiStanislao for career wins record at NCAA championship squad, and three of the Notre Dame recent WNBA draftees earned All-America sta- tus during their careers at Notre Dame. COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS Perhaps no former Irish player has achieved • One U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist greater success at the professional level than Ruth Riley. Less than a month after being • Four USA Basketball National Team players (eight medals) named the 2001 NCAA Final Four Most • Eight All-Americans ® Outstanding Player, Riley was taken with the • One CoSIDA Academic All-America selection fifth overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the • One National Player of the Year Miami Sol, where she spent her first two pro • One National Freshman of the Year seasons. When the Sol folded in 2003, she was • Three Conference Players of the Year the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA dispersal • 18 All-Conference selections, including 14 first-team draft by the Detroit Shock, quickly becoming a honorees crowd favorite in the Motor City. With Riley in • Three Conference Rookies of the Year the starting lineup, Detroit rolled to the league • 12 Conference All-Rookie Team choices title with a storybook “worst-to-first” finish in • 18 Conference Player of the Week winners ’03. Riley herself was named the WNBA Finals • Nine BIG EAST Rookie of the Week picks MVP, becoming the only player in women’s bas- • Developed 12 players who have been taken in WNBA Draft, ketball history to earn Finals MVP honors at or who have signed professional contracts as free agents both the NCAA and WNBA levels. • Trained 14 former players/assistants who are currently was another important cog in the coaching at the college or high school level 2001 national championship machine for Notre Dame, and she has translated that into a exten- sive playing career on the professional circuit.

2005-06 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 55 Head Coach

A second-round pick of the in the ’01 WNBA Draft, Ivey spent her four seasons with the club, teaming with cur- rent Irish associate head coach (and retired seven-year WNBA veteran) to pilot the Fever to their first-ever playoff berth in 2002. This past season, she signed on with the Phoenix Mercury as a free agent. Most recently, All-America forward and 2005 graduate Jacqueline Batteast became the fifth McGraw protege in as many years to be taken in the WNBA Draft, when she was selected in the second round (17th overall pick) by the Minnesota Lynx. • • • McGraw’s knack for developing talent also extends to the coaching ranks. No less than 14 of her former players and/or assistant coaches cur- rently are serving as coaches at either the high school or college level. In addition, six of her for- mer pupils are presently collegiate head coaches (five at the Division I level): Sandy Botham, a 1988 Notre Dame graduate who is at Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Beth (Morgan) Cunningham, the leading scorer in Irish history from 1993-97 and now the skipper at Virginia Commonwealth; Liz Feeley, a former Irish assis- tant now at Smith College; Bill Fennelly, another Head coach Muffet McGraw, her husband Matt, and son Murphy at their home in Granger. former aide who is piloting Iowa State; Kevin McGuff, a Notre Dame assistant for six seasons 2005 as a member of the WBCA’s Board of coordinate the annual Coaches’ Car Wash, with who now is the head coach at Xavier, and Carol Directors, serving as the Division I Legislative proceeds going to the University’s fundraising Owens, who spent a decade working with Chair for that body. efforts for United Way. McGraw before departing in March 2005 to • • • In addition, McGraw had her first book pub- assume the head coaching position at her alma lished in 2003, teaming with Bradley University mater, Northern Illinois. On top of her tireless work at Notre Dame, McGraw often is in demand as a featured professor Paul Gullifor to pen “Coaching • • • Success: Muffet McGraw’s Formula for Winning On a national level, McGraw has been widely speaker at various camps, luncheons and other fundraisers around the country. For several — In Sports and In Life.” regarded as a champion for student-athletes. In Besides basketball, she has cultivated a pas- June 2002, she accepted an invitation from U.S. years, she has been a co-chair for the annual “Run, Jane, Run” golf tournament in South Bend, sion for golf, sporting a 16-handicap. In fact, one Secretary of Education Rod Paige to join the of her favorite moments off the hardwood came Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. which benefits local chapters of the YWCA. McGraw also has teamed up with Irish baseball just two months after winning the 2001 national Created 30 years after the passage of the Title IX championship, when she stepped to the fourth anti-discrimination law, the 15-member panel coach and Sally Derengoski, the director of RecSports & Fitness at Notre Dame, to tee at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course and examined ways to promptly drained her first hole-in-one. strengthen enforce- Born Dec. 5, 1955 in Pottsville, Pa., ment and expand Muffet McGraw’s Coaching Tree McGraw remains one of the predomi- opportunities to ensure nant women’s basketball figures ever to fairness for all college Former players/assistants and their current roles in basketball Sandy Botham ...... Head Coach, Wisconsin-Milwaukee come from the Philadelphia metro area. athletes. McGraw was In 1986, she was inducted into the Saint the only women’s bas- First-team all-North Star pick for McGraw (1987-88); Assistant Coach at ND (1991-95) Kristin (Knapp) Cole ...... Assistant Coach, Xavier Joseph’s University Women’s Basketball ketball coach on the Hall of Fame, followed by her enshrine- Commission, which Member of Notre Dame’s first two NCAA tournament teams (1991-92, 1993-94) Beth (Morgan) Cunningham ...... Head Coach, Virginia Commonwealth ment into the Philadelphia Big Five also included WNBA Women’s Hall of Fame in 1989. In great Cynthia Cooper, Notre Dame’s all-time leading scorer and a two-time All-American (1996-97) Kelley (Siemon) Deyo...... Assistant Coach, Liberty November 2002, McGraw’s alma mater U.S. National Soccer 2001 BIG EAST Most Improved Player; member of Notre Dame’s 2001 NCAA championship team came calling once again, inducting her Team captain Julie Liz Feeley ...... Head Coach, Smith College (Mass.) into the SJU Athletics Hall of Fame. Foudy and two-time Played for McGraw at Lehigh (1982-86); Assistant at Lehigh (1986-87) & Notre Dame (1987-88) McGraw’s accomplishments also Olympic gold medalist Bill Fennelly ...... Head Coach, Iowa State have not been overlooked by her current Donna DeVarona. Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1987-88) employer. In 1997, she was named an In the summer of Ericka Haney ...... Assistant Coach, Chicago State honorary alumna by the Notre Dame 2004, McGraw served Starter in 2001 NCAA Championship team; 2002 team captain Alumni Association and received an with the WBCA’s Monique Hernandez ...... Head Coach, Mishawaka (Ind.) Marian High School honorary monogram from the Notre Special Committee on Member of 2001 NCAA Championship team and two NCAA Sweet Sixteen units (’00, ’04) Dame Monogram Club. Colleen Matsuhara ...... Head Coach, West Los Angeles (Calif.) Community College Recruiting and Access, McGraw is devoted to maintaining a which helped create Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1989-90) Kevin McGuff ...... Head Coach, Xavier strong family as well. She and her hus- numerous proposals to band, Matt, celebrated their 25th wed- the NCAA that clarified Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1996-2002) Carol Owens ...... Head Coach, Northern Illinois ding anniversary in 2002, and they have and strengthened a 15-year-old son, Murphy, who is a national recruiting Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1995-2005) John Sutherland...... Assistant Coach, Marshall sophomore and member of the cross guidelines. McGraw’s country team at St. Joseph’s High School work on that committee Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1993-96) Coquese Washington ...... Associate Head Coach, Notre Dame in South Bend. The McGraws live in led to her selection in Co-captain on two of McGraw’s teams (1991-93); Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1999-present) Granger. Anne Weese ...... Graduate Assistant, Oklahoma State Member of two NCAA Sweet Sixteen teams (2003, 2004)

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME 56 On the upcoming season … the teams we have lost in terms of the cal- “Whenever you have a player like iber of play and (NCAA) tournament Q&A Megan Duffy, you’re going to be in a great appearances. DePaul and Marquette have With Muffet McGraw position to achieve some success. I think been there and know what it takes to com- that her attitude, her willpower, and her pete nationally. And we have Louisville, What Others Are Saying which is a great, young program just com- determination will be the guiding force for About Muffet McGraw … this team. This is the first year in a long ing up. Both Cincinnati and South Florida also are on the rise, with USF taking time that we are going to have to count on “Muffet McGraw has a great winning the freshmen to come in and play signifi- UConn to overtime at their place last year attitude and has a complete understanding cant minutes. Megan will be able to help and then beating Florida in the WNIT. We of how to communicate her concepts to her them along in that respect. Then, when you have a lot of postseason experience com- players. She is absolutely a brilliant tacti- ing in with those coaches and those teams. cian and does everything with class. She look at a player like Courtney LaVere, you represents the Fighting Irish and the see a potential All-American and a lot of That’s on top of the talent we’ve already got Golden Dome in a very special way.” our success will be based on the kind of in the league, with UConn, Rutgers and -- year she has. She is capable of having a Villanova, as well as the up-and-comers ESPN College Basketball Analyst great year on the block, which is a pres- like West Virginia and St. John’s. It’s going to be a very challenging season for us in “I have been fortunate enough to watch ence we will really need.” Muffet work up close for the past five years the BIG EAST.” and have been simply amazed. She is an educator and the kind of person you would On the lessons her team learned want your daughter to play for.” after last season … On what makes the Joyce Center so -- tough for visiting teams … Notre Dame men’s basketball head coach “When you rely on a team rather than an individual, you have a better chance of “Other than one year where we strug- “My four years at Notre Dame were indeed success. That’s the main lesson we’re tak- gled a bit, we’ve been pretty successful at life-shaping. From heartbreaking losses to the ing into this season. Everyone’s role is home, and that’s because our crowd has ultimate level of success, I learned how to han- vital. Last year, we relied on Jackie been so important to us. We have a great dle pressure, what it takes to be a leader and following, and they are just ardent fans. It’s how to balance my faith, family, academics (Batteast) so much that a lot of the other and basketball. I will forever be grateful to players didn’t really have a chance to a great comfort to us to come out and see Coach McGraw for giving me the opportunity show what they can do. They let their tal- that kind of support. There’s no question to attend Notre Dame; for instructing me, guid- ent take a back seat to hers. This year, I that it helps us, and that’s a big reason why ing me and pushing me to achieve my aca- we have played so well at home for so demic and athletic goals; and most of all, for don’t think we’re going to have anybody the continual support she shows in my life out- who will absolutely be “the one” every long.” side of Notre Dame.” game. Instead, it will be an array of -- Ruth Riley choices each night and different people On how Notre Dame prepares her Three-time All-American at Notre Dame will step up in different games. But, it’s crit- players for life after college … 2001 National Player of the Year ical that everybody contributes in some 2003 WNBA Finals MVP “Being here gives you a chance to expe- 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist - Team USA way and that they do it consistently. That rience the best of everything college has to consistency will probably be our biggest offer. From a basketball perspective, you’re “Year in and year out, Muffet has her team in question mark going into this season.” contention for a national championship. That always competing at the highest level on consistency is what every coach strives for.” national television and you have a chance -- Jim Foster On Notre Dame’s trademark defen- to make a name for yourself in the future, Ohio State University head coach sive success through the years … first as an All-American, then as a player “Muffet McGraw has made Notre Dame a “I think it’s an attitude. It’s an attitude in the WNBA, and later on in the coaching regular player on the national scene with that you’re not going to let anyone score on ranks. When it comes to academics, a one NCAA title and another Final Four you. It’s pride and it’s all about intangible Notre Dame education opens more doors in appearance already in the books. Her play- ers, in a reflection of herself, have been things. It’s a matter of perseverance and more places, not only around the country, but around the world. Employers know class acts on the sidelines as well as in the determination. You’re going to dig in and game. Muffet is another of a number of suc- you’re going to work as hard as you can when a Notre Dame graduate walks into cessful women who have demonstrated it is every single possession, because every their office for a job interview, they’re going possible to have a solid family life at home single possession is critical. This year’s to see someone who’s not only a hard as a mom, while also devoting the hours it worker, but a good citizen and someone takes to maintain a high profile entity on team has that kind of attitude that they the hardwood.” don’t want people to score on them and determined to make a difference in the -- Mel Greenberg that’s something you can’t teach. Defense world. That’s what they mean when they Sportswriter, Philadelphia Inquirer, is how you identify your team. Are they a say, “Nowhere but Notre Dame.” It’s an USBWA Hall of Famer, Founder of Associated Press Top 25 Poll blue-collar team? Are they willing to get experience that doesn’t last just four years — it lasts a lifetime.” down and work, or are they just going to try “There is a lasting bond between a coach and outscore the other team? Sometimes it and her players. Muffet was a dedicated may make for an ugly game, and it’s not On what it means to be the head player with a tremendous work ethic; there always fun for the fans when you’re only was always a smile on her face and a will to women’s basketball coach at Notre win. It is a thrill to see her nurture that same scoring 50 points, but for us to win, we have Dame … relationship with her players today. With her got to be able to hold teams to 50.” success in winning a national championship, “Notre Dame is a dream come true for Coach McGraw knows what elements it takes me. When I walk across campus and see to keep Notre Dame a powerhouse in women’s On the new-look BIG EAST the Golden Dome, and I know what Notre basketball.” Conference … Dame stands for, I just feel like I’m lucky to – University of Illinois head coach “It’s getting tougher every single year. be here. I don’t think I’ve ever even consid- Member, Basketball Hall of Fame The teams coming in this season ered that there could be a better job or a (Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville, Marquette better place to be than right here at Notre and South Florida) have easily replaced Dame.” 2005-06 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 57 Associate Head Coach Coquese Coquese Washington is in her seventh season as a member of the Washington Notre Dame coaching staff and her first as associate head coach. She Associate Head Coach was promoted to her current posi- tion on Aug. 23, 2005 by Irish head Seventh Season coach Muffet McGraw. Washington (first name pro- Notre Dame ‘92 nounced ko-KWEES) has been a fix- ture with the Notre Dame women’s basketball program for the majority of the 18-year McGraw era, having spent 10 seasons working with the veteran added level of trust and Irish mentor as either a player (1989-93) or respect with our players. I coach (1999-present). In fact, during have complete confidence in Washington’s first six seasons on the Notre what she has to say and what Dame staff, the Irish have posted a sharp she brings to the table.” 150-45 (.769) record, including six NCAA “It has been a joy for me to a Tournament berths, four Sweet Sixteen part of the Notre Dame appearances, and the 2001 national cham- women’s basketball program, pionship. going all the way back to my As associate head coach, Washington is playing days here,” responsibile for coordinating Notre Washington said. “It has been Dame’s nationally-ranked recruiting wonderful to see the growth of efforts. Beginning with the incoming class our program into a national of 1997, the Irish have attracted nine con- power. We have a bright secutive top-20 recruiting classes (accord- future ahead of us here at ing to Blue Star Index), a feat that currently Notre Dame and I’m excited to is matched by only two other women’s bas- be working so closely with our ketball programs in the country. players and coaches, as we Washington also works closely with Notre compete for many more Dame’s guards, as well as developing the national championships.” team’s game schedules and assisting with Since joining the Notre scouting reports and practice planning. Dame coaching staff in time for the 1999-2000 season, Washington has been instru- The Washington File mental in the growth of the Irish backcourt. She has • Birthdate: January 17, 1971 coached three All-Americans • Hometown: Flint, Mich. (Niele Ivey, Alicia Ratay and current senior Megan Duffy), • Education: 1997 – Juris Doctorate with those three players also from Notre Dame; 1992 – B.A. in history earning all-BIG EAST from Notre Dame Conference honors a total of Coaching Experience eight times. Ivey, her first pro- tege, received the 2001 1999-present Frances Pomeroy Naismith University of Notre Dame Award (nation’s top senior Associate Head Coach (First Season) under 5-foot-8) and went on to Assistant Coach (Six Seasons) “Coquese has a great sense of the game be a second-round WNBA Draft pick by the as both a player and a coach,” McGraw Indiana Fever, before moving on to her Pro Experience said. “She makes great suggestions dur- current team, the Phoenix Mercury. 2002-03 - Indiana Fever (WNBA) ing the game and has a terrific under- Meanwhile, Ratay graduated in 2003 as 2000-02 - (WNBA) standing of what things are working and the NCAA’s career leader in three-point (2000 WNBA Champion) what needs to be changed. I trust her deci- percentage (.476), not to mention the 1998-99 - (WNBA) sions, and because she played for me, she NCAA record holder for three-point per- (1999 WNBA Runner-Up) knows what I’m looking for and I know centage by a sophomore (.547 in 2000-01). 1997-98 - Portland Power (ABL) where she’s coming from. Plus, she has Ratay also ranks sixth in NCAA history played in the WNBA, which builds an with an .872 free throw percentage, mak-

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME 58 ing her the only player to appear in the top Beyond her polished reputation for 10 on the all-time three-point and free player development, Washington remains Associate throw charts. a student of the game through her scout- Head Coach Duffy is the latest Washington pupil to ing and game preparation abilities. achieve All-America status, garnering During the past two seasons, Notre Dame ble Domer” status in 1997, earning honorable mention laurels from the has won 20 of the 23 games she has her Juris Doctorate from the Notre Associated Press last year after averaging scouted, with six victories over nationally- Dame Law School. 12.3 points and 5.4 assists per game, rank- ranked opponents, including Ohio State After completing her athletic ing second in the BIG EAST in the latter (2004 Preseason WNIT championship eligibility with the Irish in 1993, category. She also led the conference in game), Purdue (2005), Boston College Washington went on to enjoy a steals (2.73 spg.) and free throw percent- (twice in 2005), Miami (Fla.) (twice in 2004) stellar seven-year professional age (a school-record .895; fourth in the and Virginia Tech (2004). In addition, she basketball career in the WNBA nation) and was a first-team all-league was responsible for a successful scouting and the now-defunct American selection. Duffy recently concluded a suc- report in the 2001 NCAA championship Basketball League (ABL). She cessful stint as co-captain of the USA game against Purdue, a game the Irish began her pro career in 1997-98 as World University Games Team, starting ultimately won, 68-66. the starting point guard with the ABL’s all seven games and averaging 6.1 ppg. as Washington was a four-year monogram Portland Power, before departing the next the U.S. won the gold medal. Already a winner at Notre Dame, leading the team in season to begin a two-year stint with the preseason candidate for the 2005-06 State steals in each of her four seasons and set- WNBA’s New York Liberty. Washington Farm Wade Trophy and John R. Wooden ting the pace in assists three times. She capped off her tenure with the Liberty by Women’s Award, Duffy is expected to be a was a two-time all-Midwestern Collegiate helping her team reach the ’99 WNBA prime contender for the same Frances Conference selection and helped lead the Finals. A year later, she joined the Pomeroy Naismith Award that Ivey earned Irish to three MCC Tournament titles and Houston Comets and aided that squad to five seasons ago. the program’s first-ever NCAA the 2000 WNBA Championship. That title, Tournament berth coupled with Notre Dame’s NCAA crown in 1992. eight months later, made Washington the Washington aver- first person ever to be a member of both aged 8.4 points championship teams simultaneously.She and 4.9 assists per followed the Comets’ championship sea- game during her son with another strong campaign in 2001, career, and she ranking among the top 10 in the WNBA in ranks among the assists (ninth) and steals (fourth) as the top 10 on Notre Comets made their fifth consecutive play- Dame’s all-time off appearance. Midway through the 2002 charts for steals season, she was traded to the Indiana (second - 307), Fever, where she guided that club to its steals per game first-ever playoff berth and became the (first - 2.7 spg.), first player in WNBA history to lead three assists (fifth - 554), different squads to the postseason. assists per game Washington also was particularly (fourth - 4.9 apg.), active with the WNBA Players Association three-point field (WNBPA) during her playing career. She goals made (10th - was a central figure in helping WNBA 82) and minutes players unionize initially, and she subse- per game (10th - quently served as the first-ever president 27.6 mpg.). of the WNBA Players Association, leading In addition to the negotiations for the association’s first her on-court collective bargaining agreement. Later prowess, on, as the group’s executive vice presi- Washington was dent, she helped spearhead negotiations a standout in the for the league’s current collective bargain- classroom as ing agreement, a pact that ushered in the well. She gradu- first free agency system in women’s pro- ated from the fessional sports. College of Arts Born January 17, 1971 in Flint, Mich., and Letters in Washington now resides in South Bend 1992, a full year with her husband, Raynell Brown, and ahead of sched- their infant son, Quenton. ule, with a bache- lor’s degree in history. She went on to attain “dou-

2005-06 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 59 Assistant Coach

Jonathan Tsipis is now in his third Jonathan Tsipis year as an assistant coach at Notre Dame. Since joining Muffet McGraw’s Assistant Coach staff in May 2003, Tsipis (pronounced SIP-iss) has worked primarily with the Irish wings, while also aiding with Third Season Notre Dame’s nationally-ranked recruiting efforts, scouting and practice planning. In North Carolina ‘96 addition, he oversees all equipment and apparel needs for the Irish. “Jonathan really understands the game from all angles and does a tremendous job of passing that knowledge on to our team,” McGraw said. “He’s a great teacher who was the ’04-05 BIG EAST Conference stresses the fundamentals above everything Player of the Year and a two-time first- else. His scouting reports and game prepara- team all-conference pick. Following tion skills are also excellent, and he’s very her brilliant college career, Batteast poised and confident under pressure, which was chosen by the Minnesota Lynx in are all qualities that our players respond the second round of the ’05 WNBA well to.” Draft. In his first two seasons with the Irish, Tsipis also has quickly developed a Tsipis had a hand in guiding forward reputation as one of the bright young Jacqueline Batteast to the most productive strategical minds in the game. He has years of her career, averaging 16.5 points and been responsible for building the 7.6 rebounds per game while twice earning game plans in seven of Notre Dame’s All-America honors, including a spot on the wins over nationally-ranked oppo- prestigious 10-player Kodak/WBCA All- nents during the past two seasons, America Team and third-team laurels from including last year’s victories at the Associated Press in 2004-05. Batteast also Connecticut (breaking the Huskies’ 112-game home win streak in regular- season league games), vs. Duke (in the The Tsipis File semifinals of the Preseason WNIT) and vs. Rutgers (one of the Scarlet Knights’ • Birthdate: Nov. 7, 1972 two conference losses). Tsipis came to Notre Dame follow- • Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio ing one season as the director of men’s • Education: 1996 – B.S., RPh, in basketball operations at UNC pharmacy from North Carolina Greensboro, working for former Irish assistant men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery. Coaching Experience Prior to arriving at UNC Greensboro, Tsipis the Basketball Camp USA in Letahoria, 2003-present spent two seasons as an assistant men’s Greece, in July of 2001. There, Tsipis worked coach at Elon (N.C.) University. While there, clinics for top-ranked junior players from University of Notre Dame he worked primarily with the Phoenix’s Greece and Macedonia, focusing on perime- Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach perimeter players and also helped coordi- ter and ball handling skills. (Third Season) nate the team’s scouting and recruiting Tsipis comes from a family with a deep 2002-03 efforts. In addition, he was responsible for basketball background. His father, Lou, UNC-Greensboro organizing the team’s travel plans and off- played for the Greek National Team at age season workout programs. 15, had a standout career at Baldwin-Wallace Director of Men’s Basketball Operations Tsipis came to Elon after one year as the College in Berea, Ohio, and later played pro- (One Season) top men’s assistant coach at LeMoyne fessionally in Greece. A member of both the 2000-02 College in Syracuse, N.Y. He also spent three Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Elon (N.C.) University seasons on the men’s basketball staff at (1987; lifetime member as an official) and Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Cornell University (one as a full-time assis- Hellenic Sports Hall of Fame (1997), Lou also tant, two as a volunteer aide), and one year coached at the high school and collegiate (Two Seasons) on the men’s basketball staff at Duke. In the levels for more than 20 years. Tsipis’ brother, 1999-2000 latter role, he served under legendary Blue Dean, played at Case Western Reserve LeMoyne College Devils head coach and University in Cleveland, Ohio, and his sister, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach worked alongside current University of LuAnn Damiris, was a three-sport letterwin- (One Season) Michigan head men’s basketball coach ner at Baldwin-Wallace. Tommy Amaker. Born Nov. 7, 1972 in Cleveland, Tsipis grad- 1996-99 In addition to his coaching duties, Tsipis uated from the University of North Carolina Cornell University also serves as the president of the Future at Chapel Hill in 1996 with a bachelor of sci- Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Hoopsters Basketball Camp which he ence degree in pharmacy. He and his wife, (Three Seasons) founded in 1991. The camp is divided into two Leigh, are the proud parents of a daughter, one-week sessions and focuses on special- Emily, who was born Sept. 18, 2004. The Tsipis ized individual instruction. He also worked at family resides in South Bend.

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME 60 Assistant Coach

Angie Potthoff still remains among the top six on PSU’s career lists for scoring (sixth - Assistant Coach 1,725 points/15.5 ppg.), rebounding (fifth - 918/8.3 rpg.), field goal percentage (first - .574/709-1,235) and First Season double-doubles (second - 47). Potthoff graduated from Penn State in 1997 Penn State ‘97 with a bachelor of science degree in Exercise and Sport Science. Following her stellar college career, Potthoff spent three seasons playing professionally in the United States. In 1997, she was a second- round draft pick (No. 12 overall) by the Angie Potthoff, a former All-America forward Columbus Quest of the now-defunct American at Penn State University and three-year pro Basketball League (ABL). There, she averaged basketball veteran, is the newest assistant 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as the coach on the Irish staff, having arrived at Notre Quest won their second consecutive ABL Dame on May 12, 2005. championship in 1998 before the league folded With the Irish, Potthoff focuses her attention midway through the 1998-99 campaign. The on the post game, while also contributing to following summer, Potthoff was selected in the Notre Dame’s nationally-ranked recruiting fourth round (49th overall) of the WNBA Draft by efforts and assisting with scouting and practice the expansion Minnesota Lynx. She cracked the planning. starting lineup for the first game in franchise “Angie spent her entire playing career at the history, going on to average 4.0 points and 2.7 highest level, both in college and the pros,” rebounds per game that season before electing Irish head coach Muffet McGraw said. “Having to retire as an active player and begin her a former post player with that kind of coaching career. experience will only make us better. She’s a In addition to her college and professional hard-nosed, driven competitor who has a great experience, Potthoff also has competed on an desire to be successful, and that’s what makes international level. In 1997, she was named to a great coach. I’m thrilled to have her joining the U.S. World University Games, where she our staff because she can help us across the averaged 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game board in so many ways.” and helped Team USA win the gold medal with “I’m very excited to work, not only with a a perfect 6-0 record. Ironically, one of her tremendous coach in Muffet McGraw, but also teammates on the squad was former Notre in an outstanding program and University,” Dame All-America standout and the school’s Potthoff said. “I look forward to the challenge of all-time leading scorer, Beth Morgan (now the working with such a successful program and head coach at Virginia Commonwealth). helping take us to another level in that Born June 12, 1974 in Erie, Pa., Potthoff success.” currently resides in South Bend. Prior to joining the Irish, Potthoff spent six years in the high school and college coaching ranks (1999-2005). Most recently, she concluded a three-year stint at Beaver (Pa.) Area High The Potthoff File School, the first two as an assistant girls’ • Birthdate: June 12, 1974 basketball coach before elevating to the head coaching post for the 2004-05 season. In her • Hometown: Erie, Pa. three years at the school, the Bobcats logged a shots (a school-record 69) en route to earning 38-36 record and twice advanced to the WBCA all-district honors. • Education: 1997 – B.S. in Exercise Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Potthoff is perhaps best known as a standout and Sports Science from Penn State Association (PIAA) Class 3A playoffs, finishing post player at Penn State, where she led the as one of the top 32 teams in the state. Nittany Lions to three NCAA Tournament Coaching Experience Prior to arriving at BAHS, Potthoff spent two appearances, including two Sweet Sixteen trips seasons (2000-02) as an assistant coach at and a berth in the 1994 regional final. While at 2005-present Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pa. PSU, Potthoff was a two-time Kodak/WBCA University of Notre Dame While there, she worked primarily with the honorable mention All-American (1996, 1997), Assistant Coach Colonials’ post players, and also helped while also garnering three All-America nods (First Season) coordinate the team’s recruiting, scouting and from the Associated Press (third team in 1996; game scheduling efforts. Potthoff began her honorable mention in 1995 & 1997). She was a 2002-05 coaching career as a graduate assistant at three-time first-team all- Beaver (Pa.) Area High School Indiana (Pa.) University in 1999-2000, aiding the selection (1995-97) and was named to the Big Assistant/Head Coach Indians to a 24-5 record (the second-highest win Ten All-Tournament Team in 1995 and 1996, (Three Seasons) total in school history), a school-record No. 4 picking up Most Valuable Player honors in the national ranking during the season, and a trip latter season after sparking Penn State to its 2000-02 to the NCAA Division II playoffs, where only a second consecutive Big Ten Tournament title. Robert Morris University double-overtime loss kept IUP from advancing In each of her final three seasons at Penn Assistant Coach to the NCAA Elite Eight. That season, Potthoff State, Potthoff led the Nittany Lions in scoring, (Two Seasons) worked closely with the Indians’ 6-foot-5 center, rebounding and field goal percentage, winning Melissa McGill, who led the team in scoring a share of the Big Ten scoring title and finishing (13.6 ppg.), rebounding (8.2 rpg.) and blocked second in rebounding in 1997. To this day, she

2005-06 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 61 Coordinator of Basketball Operations

Stephanie Menio (pronounced Stephanie Menio Many-o) is one of two additions to the Notre Dame women’s basket- Coordinator of ball staff for 2005-06, spending her Basketball Operations first year as coordinator of basket- ball operations for the Irish. First Season Menio oversees all aspects of marketing and promotions for the Pittsburgh ‘04 Notre Dame women’s basketball program, as well as serve as direc- tor of the Irish women’s basketball camps and assist in both film exchange and administrative duties related to Notre Dame’s nationally-ranked recruiting efforts. She replaces Heather Maxwell, who spent five years with the Irish before departing to pursue doctoral work at the University of Minnesota. Menio joins a Notre Dame pro- gram that has been ranked among the top 20 in the nation in atten- dance in each of the past five years, including a No. 16 ranking in 2004-05 (5,830 fans per game). The Irish also have attracted 19 of 20 largest women’s basket- ball crowds in school history since 2000-01, highlighted by the program’s first two sell- outs, 12 audiences at least of 8,000 fans, and attendance figures of 5,000 or better at 65 of the past 67 home games. “Stephanie has a wonderful amount of energy and enthusiasm, which I believe our fans, players and staff are really going to enjoy,” Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw said. “I’m confident Stephanie off and continue to help make this program 19th in the nation in attendance, the gym- will pick up right where Heather has left one of the country’s top attractions on and nastics team wound up 15th in the country off the court.” in attendance (a 30-percent increase), the The Menio File “I am very excited to have the opportu- Tiger women’s basketball program saw a nity to work with Coach McGraw, the staff, 20-percent increase in season ticket sales • Birthdate: May 29, 1982 players and especially the outstanding and a 21-percent increase in attendance, and loyal fans of Notre Dame women’s bas- and the Missouri softball team recorded • Hometown: Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ketball,” Menio said. “From the minute I the seven largest crowds in the program’s • Education: 2004 – B.S. in business stepped on campus, I felt the passion and history, increasing attendance by 30 per- administration from Pittsburgh excitement surrounding the Irish women’s cent. basketball program. Heather (Maxwell) Prior to arriving at Missouri, Menio has done a tremendous job marketing the spent two years as a marketing assistant Coaching Experience Irish for the past five seasons and I plan on with the women’s basketball program at building on her success by consistently the University of Pittsburgh. In conjunction 2005-present ranking in the top 10 in national atten- with the debut of the new Petersen Events University of Notre Dame dance.” Center, Menio aided in the Panthers’ 114- Coordinator of Basketball Operations Menio spent the 2004-05 year as a mar- percent rise in attendance from 2002-04, (First Season) keting associate in the athletics depart- including the first women’s basketball ment at the University of Missouri, where sellout in school history (12,632 vs. 2004-05 she focused on marketing and promotions Connecticut on Jan. 25, 2003). University of Missouri for the Tiger women’s basketball, volley- Menio graduated from Pittsburgh in Marketing Associate ball, softball and gymnastics programs, as 2004 with a bachelor of science degree in (One Season) well assisting with group ticket sales and business administration. She was born game management for football and men’s May 29, 1982 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and now basketball. Thanks to her efforts in ’04-05, makes her home in Mishawaka. the Missouri volleyball team was ranked

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME 62 Support Staff

Peter Mike Jeri Chris D’Alonzo Karwoski Lucas Masters Academic Associate Administrative Assistant Sports Counselor Athletics Director Assistant Information Director Peter D'Alonzo is in his ninth Mike Karwoski is in his 14th An invaluable member of the Chris Masters is in fifth year year as an academic counselor year as part of the University of Notre Dame women’s basketball as an assistant sports informa- for student-athletes at Notre Notre Dame athletics administra- staff is adminstrative assistant tion director at Notre Dame. He is tion. He was promoted to associ- Dame. Before coming to Notre Jeri Lucas. Lucas joined the the primary media contact for the ate athletics director in February Dame in 1997, he earned a Master women’s basketball program in 2005, following five years as an Irish women’s basketball and of Education degree with a major assistant athletics director, five February of 1994. She handles men’s golf teams, and also is one in guidance and counseling from years as director of compliance, many of the day-to-day opera- of the football contacts. In addi- Virginia Commonwealth one year as assistant director of tions of the office for head coach tion, he has contributed to University in Richmond, Va. compliance and two years as an Muffet McGraw and her staff. Internet radio broadcasts of sev- Upon arriving in South Bend, intern in the department. Lucas has worked on the eral Notre Dame sporting events, D'Alonzo was assigned to work In his current role as associate Notre Dame campus since and he has worked on the media with the Irish baseball, men's athletics director, Karwoski over- October of 1981. Prior to taking relations staff at four of the last sees the areas of NCAA compli- tennis, women's swimming, the position with the women’s six NCAA Women’s Final Fours. ance and student-athlete women's golf, volleyball, and basketball program, she worked development/welfare. In addition, Prior to coming to Notre Dame, women's lacrosse programs. he is involved with off-campus four years in the Cashier’s Masters spent three years as During his tenure with these issues and student-athlete con- Office. After that, Lucas con- assistant sports information teams, he worked to create an duct. He also serves as the sport tributed on campus as the director at Western Kentucky "academic transition" program administrator for men’s golf, Summer Housing Coordinator in University from 1998-2001, serv- for first year student-athletes and women’s lacrosse, men’s and the office of Student Residences. ing as the contact for the Lady an "academic intervention" women’s cross country, indoor and Before coming to Notre Dame, Topper women’s basketball and program for upperclassmen and outdoor track, cheerleading and she owned and successfully volleyball teams. He also spent assists Athletics Director Kevin women who were deemed at- managed her own gift shop that time as the department’s publica- White with administration respon- risk. was located on Diamond Lake sibilities for women’s basketball. tions coordinator, assisted in the Following the spring semester Karwoski has served on various in Michigan. She and her hus- development of WKU’s athletic of 2000, D'Alonzo was reassigned BIG EAST sports committees, band, Dell, who is remembered web site, served as media rela- to work with the Notre Dame including the men’s and women’s as the Notre Dame career coun- tions coordinator for the 2000 Sun women's basketball and football soccer committees, and for the selor, relocated to South Bend, Belt Conference women’s basket- teams. In the last eight past three years the men’s and from Riverside, Calif., about 25 ball tournament and filled in as semesters, the women's women’s golf. He also served as years ago and now reside in color analyst for radio broad- basketball team has achieved tournament director for the 2005 Granger. They are parents of casts of Western Kentucky NCAA Men’s Golf Central grade point averages of 3.1 or two children, five grandchildren women’s basketball road games Regional, hosted by Notre Dame’s better, with every player and three great grandchildren. Warren Golf Course. on the road. maintaining academic "good Following his graduation from Masters is a 1996 graduate of standing" status. Central Connecticut State Ohio Wesleyan University with a Before coming to Notre Dame, University in 1990 with a degree in bachelors degree in journalism D'Alonzo was a public school political science, Karwoski served and politics & government. In teacher in Spotsylvania County, as a committee clerk and legisla- 1998, he earned his master’s Va. While teaching English, and tive aide in the Connecticut degree in mass communications social studies, he coached General Assembly. During his from Kansas State. undergraduate years at CCSU, he football, basketball, and track. An active member of the was a member of both the baseball He also was a student-athlete at and soccer teams. During the 1991- College Sports Information James Madison University in 92 academic year, Karwoski served Directors of America (CoSIDA) Harrisonburg, Va. as an athletics administrative since 1996, Masters is now in his D’Alonzo is the son of the late assistant and graduate assistant seventh year as a district coordi- Peter D'Alonzo, Sr., a former pro soccer coach at Springfield (Mass.) nator on that organization’s pres- football standout with the Detroit College as he earned a master’s of tigious Academic All-America® Lions and a member of the education degree with a concen- Committee. He was born on May Villanova University Hall of tration in sports management. 2, 1974 in San Francisco, Calif., A native of Farmington, Conn., Fame. and now resides in Mishawaka. Karwoski is married to the former Ann Niemier of South Bend, a sen- ior staff assistant in the Notre Dame football office. They reside in Granger. 2005-06 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 63 Support Staff

Michael Tony Meghan Luke Miller Rolinski Callahan Hoover Associate Athletic Assistant Director Senior Senior Trainer Strength & Manager Manager Michael Miller, a 1995 gradu- Conditioning Meghan Callahan is the senior Luke Hoover is the senior ate of Ball State with a degree in Tony Rolinski is in his fifth sea- personnel manager for the Notre equipment manager for the Notre athletic training, is in his eighth son as the assistant director of Dame women’s basketball team. Dame women’s basketball team. year on the Notre Dame training strength and conditioning at Notre Her responsibilities include mak- His responsibilities include issu- staff, his third as an associate Dame after three years as an assis- ing the travel arrangements for ing team gear to players and athletic trainer and sixth as the tant strength coach. He is responsi- road trips, managing team coaches, setting up video equip- primary athletic trainer for the ble for developing and supervising finances, and other duties associ- ment for practices and games, Notre Dame women’s basketball the strength and conditioning pro- ated with daily practices and handling laundry and equipment team. He also works with the grams for both Irish basketball games. at home and on road trips, keep- men’s and women’s cross country teams, as well as the Notre Dame Callahan is originally from ing the players hydrated, and and track and field programs. hockey team. Farmington Hills, Mich., and is a recording statistics for games and Prior to coming to Notre Dame, A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., 2002 graduate of North practices. Miller was a graduate assistant Rolinski joined the Notre Dame Farmington High School. She is Hoover is originally from trainer at Eastern Michigan, staff in 1998 after spending one currently enrolled in the College Mahwah, N.J., and is a 2002 grad- where he worked with the foot- year (1997-98) at Duquesne of Arts and Letters, pursuing a uate of Don Bosco Prep, where he ball team and coordinated ath- University, where he implemented bachelor’s degree in history and played three years of basketball letic rehabilitation, while the strength and conditioning pro- Irish Studies. and was a member of the 2002 completing his master’s degree grams for 20 varsity sports. In addition to her managerial Bergen County champions. in exercise physiology. The 36-year-old Rolinski is a responsibilities, Callahan has Hoover is a third-generation At Ball State, he worked with 1991 graduate of Penn State been very involved with interhall Domer, following in the footsteps the men’s volleyball, women’s University with a bachelor’s athletics, as well as hall govern- of his grandfather (’49), uncle (’74), track and field, football and degree in health education and a ment, and also is a member of the and father (’76). In May 2006, he baseball teams. In 1995, Miller minor in exercise science. history club. Upon graduation will graduate from Notre Dame helped the home event coverage From 1994-96, while earning his from Notre Dame in May 2006, she with a bachelor’s degree in for the Richmond (Ind.) Roosters Master’s degree in exercise physi- hopes to continue her studies in English. minor league baseball team. Her ology at the University of an undecided law school. served an internship in 1994 with Pittsburgh, he served as an intern the NFL’s New England Patriots, on the Panther football program and later did a clinical rotation staff, where he assisted with all with Muncie Central High School aspects of the strength and condi- and Central Indiana Sports tioning program. Medicine. Following his stint in Pittsburgh, A native of LaGrange, Ind., Rolinski served as the head Miller was born Jan. 23, 1973. He strength and conditioning coach at and wife, Michelle, reside in North Hills High School in South Bend and are the parents Pittsburgh (1996-97). of a three-year-old son, Spencer. He also has earned certifica- tions from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (SCCC) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCSC). Born December 10, 1968, Rolinski and his wife, Julie, have two daughters, Alexis and Jaclyn, and two sons, Jake and Jared.

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