NOTRE COACHINGDAME STAFF

Notre Dame

head coach

Muffet McGraw

ranks among

the top 20 on the

NCAA’s all-time

victories and

winning

percentage lists,

with 517 wins

and a .713

success rate during

her impressive

24-year career. • 517 career wins and a Head .713 career winning percentage (entering Coach the 2006-07 season), placing her among I the top 20 coaches in NCAA history in both categories. • 50 wins over ranked opponents, including 40 in the past eight R seasons alone (an average of five per year during that span). In addition, 19 of the past 40 wins vs. I ranked teams have come against top-10 opponents. • 139 appearances in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, putting S McGraw 17th among Muffet active Division I coaches on that list. McGraw Notre Dame also has spent 73 weeks H ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation, all in the past Head Coach decade. • Nine top-three fin- Saint Joseph’s (Pa.) ‘77 ishes in the during 20th Season at Notre Dame Notre Dame’s 11 years in that league. 429-167 (.720) The Irish also won a 25th Season Overall share of the 2001 BIG EAST regular-season 517-208 (.713) title. • 10 consecutive top-20 recruiting classes, dat- the ongoing successes we’ve had in the postsea- ing back to the incoming class of 1997. Notre son and her recruiting efforts overall have “If we searched for an entire year, I don’t think we Dame is one of just three programs in the cemented Notre Dame’s position as one of the would find anyone better suited for our program.” nation that currently owns a streak of that elite programs in the country. There are many With those words, former Notre Dame athletics length. more great days ahead for our women’s basket- director Gene Corrigan announced the hiring of • A perfect 100-percent graduation rate for all ball program, and I’m very pleased to know that Muffet McGraw as the third head coach of the Irish players entering the program since 1987 who Muffet will continue to lead us in the right direc- women’s program on May 18, 1987. have completed their athletic and academic tion.” Corrigan may not have realized it at the time, but eligibility at Notre Dame. • • • he also ushered in an era of unparalleled success McGraw’s latest assault on college basketball’s in women’s basketball at Notre Dame, brought to Another watershed moment in McGraw’s summit began the moment she and her team life on the shoulders of a 5-foot-6 dynamo who coaching career came on Nov. 18, 2005, when she returned from St. Louis after winning the 2001 accepts nothing less than the very best from her- became the 27th NCAA Division I coach to record national championship. self, her players and her program. 500 career wins as Notre Dame defeated Michigan, In the five seasons since the Irish won the Ask anyone familiar with women’s basketball 55-45 at the Joyce . What’s more, she is just NCAA title, Notre Dame has posted a 107-50 (.681) about McGraw and her Notre Dame program and the 10th Division I coach to reach the 500-victory record and reached the NCAA Tournament all five inevitably, you’ll hear the same two words — con- mark before the age of 50. years, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen twice. Last sistency and excellence. And it’s no wonder, when Still, with all of those accomplishments in hand, year, the Irish dodged numerous injuries and you consider what McGraw and the Irish have McGraw has shown no signs of slowing down any close losses (three by four points or less, includ- achieved in the past 19 years: time soon. In July 2004, the veteran head coach ing two in overtime) to post an 18-12 record and • The 2001 NCAA Championship, defeating signed a contract extension that will keep her return to the NCAA Tournament for the 11th con- Purdue in the title game, 68-66. McGraw is patrolling the Irish sidelines through the 2010-11 secutive season and 13th time overall. one of only eight active Division I coaches to campaign. The success McGraw’s teams have shown on guide her team to a national title. “Coaching at Notre Dame has been a dream defense has not been lost on other coaches • Two trips to the NCAA Final Four (1997 and come true for me,” McGraw says. “There’s no bet- around the country. Prior to his team’s NCAA first- 2001). McGraw is one of just 13 active ter place in the country to experience the perfect round game against the Irish in 2005, UC Santa Division I coaches to lead her team to multi- blend of both athletics and academics. We have Barbara coach Mark French said, “When you think ple Final Four appearances. built something very special here and I’m thrilled of great zones in the men’s game, you think of • Six NCAA Sweet 16 trips, all in the past to continue working to achieve the highest degree Syracuse. When you think of great zones in the decade. The Irish are one of only 10 pro- of success that we have come to expect from women’s game, you think of Notre Dame.” grams in the nation that can make that claim. Notre Dame women’s basketball.” “While we have had some success in the past • 16 seasons with 20-or-more victories, includ- “Quite simply, we believe we have the best five years, I don’t believe any of us in this program ing 12 in the past 13 seasons. coach in women’s college basketball right here at are satisfied with our performance,” McGraw • 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, includ- Notre Dame in Muffet McGraw,” adds Irish athlet- commented. “At Notre Dame, we expect to play ing a current string of 11 consecutive NCAA ics director Kevin White. for national championships every year and this Tournament berths. During the present 11- “She is a great fit for Notre Dame, and she con- program has reached a point where we accept year streak, Notre Dame has won at least one tinues to take us where we want to go in the nothing less.” NCAA postseason game 10 times. women’s basketball world. The NCAA title in ’01,

52 ®

• • • 60, in Lubbock, Texas. The success of that 1995-96 To be sure, the night of April 1, 2001 is one campaign and a 23-8 record earned McGraw McGraw and the Irish faithful will never forget. On national recognition as well, as she was named the that memorable Sunday evening in St. Louis, Notre WBCA District II Coach of the Year. Dame defeated Purdue 68-66 as McGraw’s 14th One season later, McGraw and the Irish made an Irish team won the school’s first NCAA women’s even bigger national statement, going all the way basketball championship. It was the second Final to the Final Four. Notre Dame compiled a gaudy 31- Four appearance in five years for McGraw’s 7 record (at the time the most wins in school his- troops, who became the only NCAA champion to tory) and the first 30-win season in the program’s erase double-figure deficits in both of its Final Four history. Also, for the first time ever, the Irish were contests. Having coached the Irish to their best ranked in both the Associated Press and ever regular-season record at 26-1 and a school- ESPN/USA Today polls from the preseason until record 34 wins (the second 30-win campaign in the end of the year. Notre Dame earned its first- school history), and having guided Notre Dame to ever top 10 ranking at the end of November and its best record (34-2) and season winning percent- achieved all-time high finishes in both final polls, age (.944), McGraw earned numerous national finishing fifth in the ESPN/USA Today rankings and awards for her efforts. For the first time in her 15th in the AP poll. career, she won national coach-of-the-year honors McGraw and the Irish got to the 1997 NCAA from the WBCA, Sports Illustrated for Women and Final Four the hard way, beating three consecutive Associated Press, as well as the Atlanta Tipoff ranked opponents on the road. In its NCAA first- Club, which named her the Naismith Women’s round game in Austin, Texas, Notre Dame cruised College Coach of the Year. joined to a 93-62 victory over Memphis. Its second round McGraw for the latter two honors, earning AP and contest matched the Irish up with Texas. Naismith player-of-the-year laurels. Riley also was Undaunted by the hostile Longhorn crowd, Notre recognized as the nation’s top student-athlete Dame pulled off an 86-83 upset of its 14th-ranked when she was named the CoSIDA Academic All- hosts. America® Team Member of the Year. Making their first-ever Sweet 16 appearance, the In addition, the New York Athletic Club honored Irish erased a nine-point halftime deficit and went B McGraw with the 2001 Winged Foot Award, which on to defeat eighth-ranked Alabama, 87-71 in is presented annually to the coach of the NCAA Columbia, S.C. Notre Dame then claimed the East champion. She also was selected as the WBCA Regional championship and booked its first trip to District I Coach of the Year and was voted the BIG the Final Four with a 62-52 win over No. 22 George EAST Coach of the Year for the first time. The lat- • • • Washington. An 80-66 loss to eventual national ter award gave McGraw a unique distinction — McGraw has led the Irish to all 13 of their NCAA champion Tennessee couldn’t dampen what A she has earned coach-of-the-year honors in all Tournament appearances, the first coming in 1992 remains a defining season in the program’s his- four conferences with which she has been associ- and the second in 1994. Yet, Notre Dame’s first tory. ated during her head coaching tenure (the East NCAA Tournament win didn’t come until after it • • • Coast Conference, North Star Conference, joined the BIG EAST Conference in 1996 when, as The 1997-98 campaign was expected to be a Midwestern Collegiate Conference and BIG EAST). the 12th seed in the Midwest region, the Irish transition year as the Irish lost four starters from S stunned fifth-seeded and 15th-ranked Purdue, 73- that first Final Four team. However, it turned out to

Muffet McGraw’s Coaching History Year School Record Pct. Honors K 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 E 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 T 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 B 1996-97 Notre Dame 31-7 .816 , East Regional Champion NCAA Final Four 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 A 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 L 2004-05 Notre Dame 27-6 .818 NCAA Second Round 2005-06 Notre Dame 18-12 .600 NCAA First Round 19-year Notre Dame total 429-167 .720 13 NCAA Tournaments, 16 Postseason Appearances L 24-year career total 517-208 .713

2006-07 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 53 be perhaps the best coaching effort of Head McGraw’s career, punctuated by one of the most stunning upsets of the 1998 NCAA Coach Tournament when Notre Dame beat sixth- ranked and top-seeded Texas Tech in the I second round of the Midwest Regional before a stunned Lady Raider crowd at The McGraw File Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. That win pro- pelled McGraw’s team into the Sweet 16 for PERSONAL the second year in a row, resulted in a final ranking of 17th in the ESPN/ poll R Birthday ...... December 5, 1955 USA Today Birthplace ...... Pottsville, Pa. and made McGraw a finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year award. Family...... Husband, Matt During the 1998-99 season, McGraw’s Son, Murphy (16) charges posted an impressive 26-5 mark EDUCATION and spent a school-record 16 consecutive I weeks ranked in the top 10. Notre Dame was High School ...... Bishop Shanahan High School undefeated (8-0) against non-conference College ...... Saint Joseph’s University (Pa.) opponents, registering wins at home B.S. in sociology, 1977 against UCLA (99-82) and eventual NCAA runner-up Duke (84-57), both of whom were PLAYING EXPERIENCE ranked sixth at tipoff. S Saint Joseph’s University (Pa.) ...... 1973-77 The accomplishments of the Notre Dame California Dreams (WBL) ...... 1979 program in ’98-’99 made McGraw a finalist for the Naismith Award for the second con- COACHING EXPERIENCE secutive season. In addition, Riley became Head Coach ...... 1977-79 the first player to earn first-team AP All- H Archbishop Carroll High School (Radnor, Pa.) America honors. Riley also was a first team Assistant Coach...... 1980-82 CoSIDA Academic All-America® honoree, Saint Joseph’s University (Pa.) the fourth player in the history of the pro- ® Head Coach ...... 1982-87 gram to earn Academic All-America acco- Lehigh University lades. Head Coach...... 1987-present The 1999-2000 campaign continued Notre University of Notre Dame Dame’s rise up the national ladder, as the Irish duplicated their record-setting accom- COACHING HONORS plishment of the 1998-99 campaign, finish- National Coach of the Year...... 2001 ing with, at the time, the best winning percentage in school history (.844) en route to a Naismith, Associated Press, WBCA, first season with the Engineers in 1982-83. Her ’84- 27-5 campaign and return to the NCAA Sweet 16. 85 and ’85-86 teams posted back-to-back 20-win Sports Illustrated for Women Notre Dame spent all but two weeks in the top 10 WBCA District Coach of the Year seasons, finishing 20-8 and 24-4, respectively. The of the AP poll and held down the No. 5 ranking District II ...... 1996 latter squad won the most games in women’s bas- (then an all-time high) for seven of the 18 weeks. ketball history at the school, while claiming both District I...... 2001 That would all set the stage for the memorable Conference Coach of the Year the ECC regular-season and tournament titles. events of 2000-01 and Notre Dame’s ascension • • • East Coast Conference ...... 1983 into the ranks of college basketball’s elite pro- In her first season at Notre Dame (1987-88), North Star Conference ...... 1988 grams. McGraw took a team which finished 12-15 the pre- Midwestern Collegiate Conference ...... 1991 • • • vious year and guided that squad to a 20-8 mark, BIG EAST Conference ...... 2001 To understand the competitive fire that has including the program’s first-ever win over a N.Y. Athletic Club Winged Foot Award ...... 2001 fueled much of McGraw’s success, you have to go ranked opponent (78-66 at No. 17 Duke) as she Gold Medalist, U.S. Olympic Festival ...... 1993 back to her playing days. A four-year starter at was named North Star Conference Coach of the (Assistant Coach, South Team) Saint Joseph’s University in , Pa., she Year. Philadelphia Big Five Hall of Fame ...... 1990 captained the 1976-77 Hawk team that finished 23- The following year, McGraw and the Irish Saint Joseph’s Athletics Hall of Fame ...... 2002 5 and was ranked third nationally. In four seasons moved into the Midwestern Collegiate Conference Saint Joseph’s WBB Hall of Fame ...... 1986 at SJU, McGraw helped her team compile a 59-12 (MCC) — now known as the Horizon League — Notre Dame Honorary Alumna ...... 1997 mark, while participating in the regional Eastern and set about establishing a standard of excel- (presented by ND Monogram Club) Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for lence in that conference that has never been Women (EAIAW) tournament once and the duplicated. COACHING HIGHLIGHTS national AIAW tourney once. In seven years as a member of the MCC, Notre NCAA National Championships...... 1 (2001) She received her bachelor’s degree in sociol- Dame won five regular season and tournament NCAA Final Four berths ...... 2 (1997, 2001) ogy from SJU in 1977. Following graduation, she championships, including four consecutive tour- NCAA Sweet 16 appearances ...... 6 coached for two seasons at Philadelphia’s nament crowns from 1989-92. McGraw’s teams (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004) Archbishop Carroll High School where she guided never finished lower than second in the regular NCAA Tournament bids ..13 (1992, 1994, 1996-2006) her teams to a 50-3 record, including a 28-0 mark season standings and advanced to the semifinals NIT Tournament bids ...... 3 (1989, 1991, 1995) during her second year. In that ’78-79 season, she of the conference tournament all but once. Notre led her squad to the Catholic League title and was Dame wound up compiling an 87-15 (.853) record OTHER PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS named coach of the year for the Philadelphia in MCC regular-season games and was 13-2 (.867) Catholic League. Women’s Basketball Coaches Association in tournament play. McGraw then played point guard for one year WBCA Board of Directors While her teams’ successes in the MCC were with the California Dreams, a team in the since- U.S. Commission for Opportunity in Athletics impressive, McGraw and the Irish had their sights folded Women’s Professional Basketball League set on bigger goals. The first of those aims was (WBL). She returned to her alma mater in 1980, achieved on Dec. 28, 1990, when Notre Dame serving as an assistant coach for two seasons announced its presence on the national basketball under . scene with a historic 71-66 win over No. 11 In 1982, McGraw was named head coach at Louisiana Tech in the first round of the Hawk Lehigh University, leading that school to unprece- Classic in McGraw’s hometown of Philadelphia. dented success. Her teams were 88-41 (.683) dur- The next evening, the Irish upended McGraw’s ing her five-year tenure. She was named East alma mater, Saint Joseph’s (Pa.), 72-53, in the Coast Conference Coach of the Year following her

54 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME® championship game, causing Hall of Fame sports- first-team all-BIG EAST selection in 2000 and was RECORD BREAKDOWN writer to note in the Philadelphia the ’99 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, also Inquirer the following day, “They were the kind of earned Kodak honorable mention All-America Overall...... 517-208 (.713) wins that get a team noticed on the national level.” honors. She also was a member of the ’99 U.S. Record at Notre Dame...... 429-167 (.720) Those words proved prophetic only days later World University Games team and proudly repre- Conference ...... 239-58 (.805) when, on Dec. 31, 1990, the Irish women’s basket- sented her country as a member of the gold BIG EAST ...... 145-39 (.788) ball program earned the school’s first national medal-winning 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. Midwestern Collegiate ...... 87-15 (.853) ranking. Notre Dame entered the Associated Press Besides Riley, two players whose names are North Star ...... 7-3 (.700) poll at No. 25 and remained in both the AP and forever linked to elevating the Notre Dame pro- Non-Conference...... 190-110 (.633) USA Today polls for the next nine weeks, climbing gram to national prominence are ’97 graduates Home ...... 208-43 (.829) as high as 19th in the AP and 18th in the USA Today Beth Morgan and Katryna Gaither. The two-time Road ...... 166-93 (.641) poll. Kodak and AP honorable mention All-Americans Neutral...... 53-29 (.646) The next important step in the growth of Notre both scored more than 2,000 points during their Dame women’s basketball under McGraw’s tute- careers, becoming the first two players from the MOST CAREER WINS AT NOTRE DAME lage came in 1992, when the Irish, despite a 14-17 same team in NCAA history (male or female) to (MEN’S/WOMEN’S BASKETBALL) mark (the only losing season McGraw has experi- reach that milestone. They rank one-two, respec- enced during her head coaching tenure), rallied to tively, on the Irish career scoring list, while Muffet McGraw (1987-present) ...... 429 (1971-91) ...... 393 win the MCC Tournament with a 59-54 upset of Gaither also stands as the school’s second all- George Keogan (1923-43) ...... 327 top-seeded Xavier in the championship finale. The time leading rebounder behind Riley. Both play- (1951-64) ...... 199 win earned Notre Dame its first-ever berth in the ers went on to careers at the professional level coveted NCAA Tournament field via the league’s with the now-defunct American Basketball (2000-present) ...... 118 automatic bid. League (ABL) and the Women’s National BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE Two years later, the Irish was back in the NCAA Basketball Association (WNBA). AT NOTRE DAME (MEN’S/WOMEN’S Tournament, once again earning the MCC’s auto- The trio of Riley, Morgan and Gaither highlight BASKETBALL - min. 5 yrs.) matic bid. This time, Notre Dame garnered addi- an impressive list of 19 Irish players who have tional respect from the NCAA Selection garnered all-conference honors during McGraw’s Bertram G. Maris (1907-12) ...... 794 (78-20) Committee, picking up a home game in the first career. In addition, the Notre Dame mentor has George Keogan (1923-43)...... 771 (327-97-1) round against Minnesota. However, the plucky coached three conference players-of-the-year, Muffet McGraw (1987-present) ...... 720 (429-167) Gophers pulled out a tough 81-76 decision at the three league rookies-of-the-year, and 12 confer- Jesse C. Harper (1913-18) ...... 686 (44-20) B Edward Krause (1944, 1946-51) ...... 671 (98-48) Joyce Center, abruptly ending the season for the ence all-rookie team selections since arriving in Irish. Still, the lessons McGraw and her charges South Bend. learned in those first two NCAA Tournament • • • McGRAW’S MILESTONE WINS appearances would prove invaluable — since that Another sign of McGraw’s success has been AT NOTRE DAME time, Notre Dame has won at least once in virtu- her ability to prepare her players for the next No. 1 ...... Nov. 28, 1987 (67-61 at Loyola (Ill.)) A ally every NCAA Tournament it has played in level. No less than 13 Notre Dame cagers have No. 50 ...... Jan. 18, 1990 (81-64 vs. Marquette) (1996-2006), posting a 22-10 (.688) record in NCAA gone on to play professionally, including eight No. 100 ...... March 13, 1992 (85-44 vs. Detroit) postseason play. who either have been drafted or signed as free *No. 116 ...... March 6, 1993 (74-62 vs. Evansville) • • • agents with WNBA teams. No. 200 ...... Jan. 29, 1997 (72-71 at Miami (Fla.)) Throughout her storied coaching career, suc- The past six years have seen the greatest influx No. 300 ...... Dec. 31, 2000 (80-40 vs. Rice) cess for McGraw has meant developing great play- of Irish talent into the WNBA, with six Notre Dame S No. 350 ...... Dec. 31, 2002 (75-68 at Marquette) ers. Ruth Riley, the 2001 BIG EAST Player of the players having been selected in the league’s **No. 394 ...... Dec. 19, 2004 (50-47 at Marquette) Year, became the third Notre Dame player to earn annual since 2001. Four of those players No. 400 ...... Jan. 23, 2005 (63-47 vs. Rutgers) AP All-America honors when she was named in ’99 were starters on the ’01 Irish NCAA championship ***No. 412 ...... Nov. 18, 2005 (55-45 vs. Michigan) to the third team. Riley, who was a unanimous squad, and four of the recent WNBA draftees earned All-America status during their careers at * - took over career WBB wins record at Notre Dame K Notre Dame. ** - passed D. Phelps as winningest ND basketball coach Perhaps no former Irish player has achieved *** - 500th overall victory (412th at Notre Dame) greater success at the professional level than Ruth Riley. Less than a month after being named COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS the 2001 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding • One U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Player, Riley was taken with the fifth overall pick E • Four USA Basketball National Team players (eight medals) in the WNBA Draft by the , where she spent her first two pro seasons. When the Sol • Eight All-Americans folded in 2003, she was the No. 1 overall pick in • Two CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections the WNBA by the , • One National Player of the Year quickly becoming a crowd favorite in the Motor • One National Freshman of the Year T City. With Riley in the starting lineup, Detroit rolled to the league title with a storybook “worst- • Three Conference Players of the Year to-first” finish in ’03. Riley herself was named the • 18 All-Conference selections, including 14 first-team honorees WNBA Finals MVP, becoming the only player in • Three Conference Rookies of the Year women’s basketball history to earn Finals MVP • 12 Conference All-Rookie Team choices honors at both the NCAA and WNBA levels. After B • 19 Conference Player of the Week winners winning a second title with the Shock in 2006, she also is one of only six players in women’s basket- • 10 BIG EAST Rookie of the Week picks ball lore to earn championships in NCAA, WNBA • Developed 13 players who have been taken in WNBA Draft, or and Olympic competition. who have signed professional contracts as free agents A was another important cog in the 2001 • Trained 15 former players/assistants who are currently national championship machine for Notre Dame, coaching at the college or high school level and she has translated that into a extensive playing career on the professional circuit. A second-round pick of the in the ’01 WNBA Draft, Ivey spent her four seasons with the club, teaming with L current Irish associate head coach (and retired seven-year WNBA veteran) to pilot the Fever to their first-ever playoff berth in 2002. She signed on with the as a free agent in 2005, then sat out the ’06 campaign L while rehabilitating an injury.

2006-07 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 55 Head Coach I In 2005, All-America forward 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 before being traded to Detroit R for the 2006 campaign (and going on to win her first pro title that season). This past April, the Lynx once again dipped into the Notre Dame talent pool, choosing All-America point guard Megan Duffy in the third round (31st overall pick). • • • I McGraw’s knack for developing talent also extends to the coaching ranks. No less than 15 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- S 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 lead- ing scorer in Irish history from 1993-97 and now the skipper at Virginia Commonwealth; Liz Feeley, H a former Irish assistant now at Smith College; Bill Fennelly, another former aide who is piloting Iowa State; Kevin McGuff, a Notre Dame assistant for six seasons who now is the head coach at Xavier, and Carol Owens, who spent a decade working with Head coach Muffet McGraw, her husband Matt, and son Murphy at their home in Granger. McGraw before departing in March 2005 to assume the head coaching position at her alma Wash, with proceeds going to the University’s Besides basketball, she has cultivated a pas- mater, Northern Illinois. fundraising efforts for United Way, and this past sion for golf, sporting a 14-handicap. In fact, one • • • summer, she served as honorary chair of “Jazz on of her favorite moments off the hardwood came On a national level, McGraw has been widely the Terrace,” a concert and silent auction whose just two months after winning the 2001 national regarded as a champion for student-athletes. In proceeds went to benefit RiverBend Cancer championship, when she stepped to the fourth June 2002, she accepted an invitation from U.S. Services in Michiana. tee at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course and Secretary of Education Rod Paige to join the In addition, McGraw had her first book pub- promptly drained her first hole-in-one. Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. Created lished in 2003, teaming with Bradley University Born Dec. 5, 1955 in Pottsville, Pa., McGraw 30 years after the passage of the Title IX anti-dis- professor Paul Gullifor to pen “Coaching Success: remains one of the predominant women’s basket- crimination law, the 15-member panel examined Muffet McGraw’s Formula for Winning — In Sports ball figures ever to come from the Philadelphia ways to strengthen enforcement and expand and In Life.” metro area. In 1986, she was inducted into the opportunities to ensure fairness for all college ath- Saint Joseph’s University letes. McGraw was the only Women’s Basketball Hall of women’s basketball coach on the Fame, followed by her Commission, which also included Muffet McGraw’s Coaching Tree enshrinement into the WNBA great Cynthia Cooper, U.S. Former players/assistants and their current roles in basketball Philadelphia Big Five Women’s National Soccer Team captain Julie Sandy Botham ...... Head Coach,Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hall of Fame in 1989. In Foudy and two-time Olympic gold First-team all-North Star pick for McGraw (1987-88); Assistant Coach at ND (1991-95) November 2002, McGraw’s medalist Donna DeVarona. Kristin (Knapp) Cole ...... Assistant Coach,Xavier alma mater came calling once In the summer of 2004, McGraw Member of Notre Dame’s first two NCAA Tournament teams (1991-92,1993-94) again, inducting her into the served with the WBCA’s Special Beth (Morgan) Cunningham ...... Head Coach,Virginia Commonwealth SJU Athletics Hall of Fame. Committee on Recruiting and Notre Dame’s all-time leading scorer and a two-time All-American (1996-97) McGraw’s accomplishments Access, which helped create Kelley (Siemon) Deyo ...... Assistant Coach,Liberty also have not been overlooked numerous proposals to the NCAA 2001 BIG EAST Most Improved Player; member of Notre Dame’s 2001 NCAA championship team Liz Feeley...... Head Coach,Smith College (Mass.) by her current employer. In that clarified and strengthened 1997, she was named an hon- national recruiting guidelines. Played for McGraw at Lehigh (1982-86); Assistant at Lehigh (1986-87) & Notre Dame (1987-88) Bill Fennelly...... Head Coach,Iowa State orary alumna by the Notre McGraw’s work on that committee Dame Alumni Association and led to her selection in 2005 as a Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1987-88) Ericka Haney...... Director of Basketball Operations,Louisiana Tech received an honorary mono- member of the WBCA’s Board of Starter in 2001 NCAA Championship team; 2002 team captain gram from the Notre Dame Directors, serving as the Division I Monique Hernandez ...... Head Coach,Mishawaka (Ind.) Marian High School Monogram Club. Legislative Chair for that body. Member of 2001 NCAA Championship team and three NCAA Sweet 16 units (’00,’01,’04) McGraw is devoted to main- • • • Colleen Matsuhara...... Head Coach,West Los Angeles (Calif.) Community College taining a strong family as well. On top of her tireless work at Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1989-90) She and her husband, Matt, will Notre Dame, McGraw often is in Kevin McGuff ...... Head Coach,Xavier celebrate their 30th wedding demand as a featured speaker at Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1996-2002) anniversary in 2007, and they various camps, luncheons and Carol Owens ...... Head Coach,Northern Illinois Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1995-2005) have a 16-year-old son, other fundraisers around the Murphy, who is in his junior country. For several years, she has Alicia Ratay ...... Head Coach,Hoffman Estates (Ill.) High School Member of 2001 NCAA Championship team; NCAA career three-point percentage leader (.476) year at South Bend St. Joseph’s been a co-chair for the annual High School, where he is a “Run, Jane, Run” golf tournament John Sutherland...... Assistant Coach,Marshall Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1993-96) member of the cross country in South Bend, which benefits Coquese Washington...... Associate Head Coach,Notre Dame team. The McGraws live in local chapters of the YWCA. Co-captain on two of McGraw’s teams (1991-93);Assistant Coach at Notre Dame (1999-present) Granger. McGraw also has helped coordi- Anne Weese...... Graduate Assistant,Oklahoma State nate the annual Coaches’ Car Member of two NCAA Sweet 16 teams (2003,2004)

56 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME® that kind of support. There’s no question Q & A with that it helps us, and that’s a big reason why Muffet McGraw we have played so well at home for so long. What Others Are Saying About You don’t win almost 80 percent of your Muffet McGraw … home games and rank in the top 20 in the country in attendance for six years running “Muffet McGraw has a great winning attitude and has a complete understanding of how to without amazing fan support and that’s On the role of this year’s freshman communicate her concepts to her players. She what we’re blessed with here at Notre class … is absolutely a brilliant tactician and does every- Dame.” “I think that our two freshman guards, thing with class. She represents the Fighting Ashley (Barlow) and Melissa (Lechlitner), Irish and the Golden Dome in a very special way.” are going to see quality playing time. Initially, On the impending Joyce Center we have a veteran group of guards, so our renovations … -- ESPN College Basketball Analyst newcomers are going to have to find a role. “It’s going to look first-class from top to Melissa obviously will back up Tulyah bottom. When we talk about Notre Dame, “I have been fortunate enough to watch (Gaines) at the point, and Ashley is going to we always tell people this is a first-class Muffet work up close for the past six years and create her own niche. With Tulyah at the place, that we do everything top of the line have been simply amazed. She is an educator point, and Charel (Allen) and Lindsay and we’re committed to excellence. Now, and the kind of person you would want your (Schrader) on the wing, I think it may be thanks to the generosity of Philip Purcell daughter to play for.” tough for the freshmen to break into the and other visionaries like him, we have a -- Mike Brey starting lineup right away, but I’m excited facility that will also be the same way.” Notre Dame men’s basketball head coach about their potential.” “My four years at Notre Dame were indeed life- On winning her 500th career game shaping. From heartbreaking losses to the ulti- On how Notre Dame’s offensive last season … mate level of success, I learned how to handle pressure, what it takes to be a leader and how to capabilities this year … “You need to enjoy moments like that “With this team, I think we are going to be balance my faith, family, academics and basket- B when they happen, then put them behind ball. I will forever be grateful to Coach McGraw a little bit better offensively than we were you and set the next goal. It was a fun time, for giving me the opportunity to attend Notre last year, even though we lost two good scor- hearing from all my former assistants and Dame; for instructing me, guiding me and push- ers in Megan (Duffy) and Courtney (LaVere). players because it gave me a chance to think ing me to achieve my academic and athletic This year, we’re going to get contributions back and really appreciate what we’ve done. goals; and most of all, for the continual support A from more people. We have really improved I’ve had the opportunity to coach so many she shows in my life outside of Notre Dame.” our three-point shot — our two freshman great people, and I’ve had great assistant -- Ruth Riley guards are both good three-point shooters, coaches. There are a lot of people who Three-time All-American at Notre Dame Lindsey (Schrader) has worked on her shot, helped me get here and I’ll always be grate- 2001 National Player of the Year and then, of course, Charel (Allen) is a threat ful to them.” 2003 WNBA Finals MVP S from just about any spot on the floor. So we 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist - Team USA should have more weapons than we did last year.” On how Notre Dame prepares her “Year in and year out, Muffet has her team in players for life after college … contention for a national championship. That “Being here gives you a chance to experi- consistency is what every coach strives for.” K On the BIG EAST Conference … ence the best of everything college has to -- Jim Foster “The BIG EAST is going to be extremely offer. From a basketball perspective, you’re Ohio State University head coach tough this year, which is to be expected always competing at the highest level on when you send 11 teams to the postseason, national television and you have a chance to “Muffet McGraw has made Notre Dame a reg- ular player on the national scene with one NCAA including seven to the NCAA Tournament. make a name for yourself in the future, first I’ve always said the BIG EAST is one of the title and another Final Four appearance already E as an All-American, then as a player in the in the books. Her players, in a reflection of her- best basketball conferences in America, and WNBA, and later on in the coaching ranks. self, have been class acts on the sidelines as well I think that was proven last year. We strug- When it comes to academics, a Notre Dame as in the game. Muffet is another of a number of gled a bit in the BIG EAST last year and we education opens more doors in more places, successful women who have demonstrated it is had a better team. This time, I don’t think not only around the country, but around the possible to have a solid family life at home as a T there’s one single dominant team in the con- world. Employers know when a Notre Dame mom, while also devoting the hours it takes to ference, but there’s a whole lot of really qual- graduate walks into their office for a job maintain a high profile entity on the hardwood.” ity teams that are going to make some noise. interview, they’re going to see someone -- Mel Greenberg Connecticut and Rutgers are always good, as who’s not only a hard worker, but a good cit- Sportswriter, Philadelphia Inquirer well as Louisville, DePaul, St. John’s and izen and someone determined to make a dif- USBWA Hall of Famer, B South Florida. But what sets the BIG EAST ference in the world. That’s what they mean Founder of Associated Press Top 25 Poll apart from the other conferences out there is when they say, “Nowhere But Notre Dame.” our depth. If you can battle your way “There is a lasting bond between a coach and It’s an experience that doesn’t last just four her players. Muffet was a dedicated player with through the BIG EAST, chances are you’re years — it lasts a lifetime.” a tremendous work ethic; there was always a going to be pretty successful when the post- smile on her face and a will to win. It is a thrill to A season rolls around in March.” On what it means to be the head see her nurture that same relationship with her players today. With her success in winning a women’s basketball coach at Notre On what makes the Joyce Center so national championship, Coach McGraw knows Dame … what elements it takes to keep Notre Dame a tough for visiting teams … “Notre Dame is a dream come true for me. powerhouse in women’s basketball.” L “Other than a year or two where we stum- When I walk across campus and see the – bled somewhat, we’ve had great success at Golden Dome, and I know what Notre Dame University of Illinois head coach home, and that’s because our crowd has stands for, I just feel like I’m lucky to be here. Member, Basketball Hall of Fame been so important to us. We have a tremen- I don’t think I’ve ever even considered that dous following, and they are just ardent fans. there could be a better job or a better place L It’s a great comfort to us to come out and see to be than right here at Notre Dame.”

2006-07 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 57 Associate Head Coach I R I S Coquese Washington H

Associate Head Coach Eighth Season Notre Dame ’92

Coquese Washington now is in her eighth season as a member of the Notre Dame coaching staff and her second as associate head coach. She was promoted to her cur- rent position on Aug. 23, 2005 by Irish head coach Muffet McGraw. Washington (first name pronounced ko- KWEES) has been a fixture with the Notre Dame women's basketball program for the majority of the 20-year McGraw era, having

spent 12 seasons working with the veteran game and has a terrific understanding of The Washington File Irish mentor as either a player (1989-93) or what things are working and what needs to • Birthdate: Jan. 17, 1971 coach (1999-present). In fact, during be changed. I trust her decisions, and Washington’s first seven seasons on the because she played for me, she knows what • Hometown: Flint, Mich. Notre Dame staff, the Irish have posted a I'm looking for and I know where she's com- • Education: 1997 – Juris Doctorate from sharp 168-57 (.747) record, including seven ing from. Plus, she has played in the WNBA, Notre Dame; 1992 – B.A. in history from NCAA Tournament berths, four Sweet 16 which builds an added level of trust and Notre Dame appearances, and the 2001 national champi- respect with our players. I have complete onship. confidence in what she has to say and what Coaching Experience As associate head coach, Washington is she brings to the table.” responsible for coordinating Notre Dame's “It has been a joy for me to a part of the 1999-present University of Notre Dame nationally-ranked recruiting efforts. Notre Dame women's basketball program, Associate Head Coach (Second Season) Beginning with the incoming class of 1997, going all the way back to my playing days the Irish have attracted 10 consecutive top- here,” Washington said. “It has been won- Assistant Coach (Six Seasons) 20 recruiting classes, a feat that currently is derful to see the growth of our program into matched by only two other women's bas- a national power. We have a bright future Pro Experience ketball programs in the country. ahead of us here at Notre Dame and I'm 2002-03 - Indiana Fever (WNBA) Washington also works closely with Notre excited to be working so closely with our 2000-02 - (WNBA) Dame's guards, as well as developing the players and coaches, as we compete for (2000 WNBA Champion) team's game schedules and assisting with many more national championships.” scouting reports and practice planning. Since joining the Notre Dame coaching 1998-99 - (WNBA) “Coquese has a great sense of the game as staff in time for the 1999-2000 season, (1999 WNBA Runner-Up) both a player and a coach,” McGraw said. Washington has been instrumental in the 1997-98 - Portland Power (ABL) “She makes great suggestions during the growth of the Irish backcourt. She has

58 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME® coached three All-Americans (Niele Ivey, was responsible for a successful scouting year ahead of schedule, with a bachelor's Alicia Ratay and Megan Duffy), with those report in the 2001 NCAA championship degree in history. She went on to attain three players also earning all-BIG EAST game against Purdue, a game the Irish ulti- “double Domer” status in 1997, earning her Conference honors a total of nine times. mately won, 68-66. Juris Doctorate from the Notre Dame Law Ivey, her first protege, received the 2001 Washington was a four-year monogram School. Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (nation's winner at Notre Dame, leading the team in After completing her athletic eligibility top senior under 5-foot-8) and went on to be steals in each of her four seasons and set- with the Irish in 1993 (and winning Notre a second-round WNBA Draft pick by the ting the pace in assists three times. She was Dame’s prestigious Francis Patrick Indiana Fever, before moving on to her cur- a two-time all-Midwestern Collegiate O’Connor Award following her final cam- rent team, the Phoenix Mercury. Conference selection and helped lead the paign), Washington went on to enjoy a stel- Meanwhile, Ratay graduated in 2003 as Irish to three MCC Tournament titles and lar seven-year professional basketball the NCAA's career leader in three-point per- the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament career in the WNBA and the now-defunct centage (.476), not to mention the NCAA berth in 1992. Washington averaged 8.4 American Basketball League (ABL). She record holder for three-point percentage by points and 4.9 assists per game during her began her pro career in 1997-98 as the start- a sophomore (.547 in 2000-01). Ratay also career, and she ranks among the top 10 on ing point guard with the ABL's Portland ranked sixth in NCAA history with an .872 Notre Dame's all-time charts for steals (sec- Power, before departing the next season to percentage, making her the only ond - 307), steals per game (first - 2.7 spg.), begin a two-year stint with the WNBA's New player to appear in the top 10 on the all-time assists (fifth - 554), assists per game (fourth York Liberty. Washington capped off her three-point and free throw charts. - 4.9 apg.), three-point field goals made tenure with the Liberty by helping her team Duffy was the latest Washington pupil to (10th - 82) and minutes per game (10th - 27.6 reach the '99 WNBA Finals. A year later, she achieve All-America status, twice garnering mpg.). joined the Houston Comets and aided that Associated Press honorable mention lau- In addition to her on-court prowess, squad to the 2000 WNBA Championship. rels, in addition to first-team all-BIG EAST Washington was a standout in the class- That title, coupled with Notre Dame’s NCAA plaudits. She also was the 2006 Frances room as well. She graduated from the crown eight months later, made Washington B Pomeroy Naismith Award winner (making College of Arts and Letters in 1992, a full the first person ever to be a member of both Notre Dame one of only three championship teams simultane- schools ever to boast multiple ously. recipients of the award) and she She followed the Comets’ ranks among the top 10 a total championship season with A of 34 times in the Notre Dame another strong campaign in 2001, record books, including leading ranking among the top 10 in the the conference and ranking WNBA in assists (ninth) and among the top 10 nationally in steals (fourth) as the Comets free throw percentage her final made their fifth consecutive play- S two seasons (a school-record off appearance. Midway through .895; fourth in the nation in the 2002 season, she was traded 2004-05). In the summer of 2005, to the Indiana Fever, where she Duffy served as co-captain of guided that club to its first-ever K the USA World University playoff berth and became the Games Team, starting all seven first player in WNBA history to games and averaging 6.1 ppg. as lead three different squads to the the U.S. won the gold medal. A postseason. first-team Academic All- Washington also was particu- E America® selection in 2006, larly active with the WNBA Duffy became Washington’s sec- Players Association (WNBPA) ond protégé to be selected in during her playing career. She the WNBA Draft, going in the was a central figure in helping third round of the ’06 selection WNBA players unionize initially, T meeting (31st overall pick) to and she subsequently served as the Minnesota Lynx. the first-ever president of the Beyond her polished reputa- WNBA Players Association, lead- tion for player development, ing the negotiations for the asso- B Washington remains a student ciation's first collective of the game through her scout- bargaining agreement. Later on, ing and game preparation abili- as the group's executive vice ties. During the past three president, she helped spearhead seasons, Notre Dame has negotiations for the league's cur- A posted nine victories over rent collective bargaining agree- nationally-ranked opponents in ment, a pact that ushered in the games she has scouted, includ- first free agency system in ing USC (2006), Utah (2006), women's professional sports. Ohio State (2004 Preseason Born January 17, 1971 in Flint, L WNIT championship game), Mich., Washington now resides in Purdue (2005), Boston College South Bend with her husband, (twice in 2005), Miami (Fla.) Raynell Brown, and their son, (twice in 2004) and Virginia Quenton. L Tech (2004). In addition, she

2006-07 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 59 (one of the 10 highest single-game Assistant scoring efforts in the ’06 NCAA Tournament). Coaches Tsipis also has quickly devel- oped a reputation as one of the I bright young strategical minds in the game. He has been responsi- ble for building the game plans in eight of Notre Dame’s wins over nationally-ranked opponents dur- R ing the past three seasons, includ- ing last year’s win over DePaul, and 2004-05 victories at Connecticut (breaking the Huskies’ 112-game home win streak in regular-season league I games), vs. Duke (in the semifi- nals of the Preseason WNIT) and vs. Rutgers (one of the Scarlet Knights’ two conference losses that season). S Tsipis came to Notre Dame fol- Jonathan lowing one season as the director of men’s basketball operations at Tsipis UNC Greensboro, working for for- mer Irish assistant men’s basket- H ball coach Fran McCaffery. Prior to arriving at UNC Greensboro, Tsipis spent two sea- sons as an assistant men’s coach Assistant Coach at Elon (N.C.) University. While there, he worked primarily with the Phoenix’s Born Nov. 7, 1972 in Cleveland, Tsipis gradu- Fourth Season perimeter players and also helped coordinate the ated from the University of North Carolina at North Carolina ’96 team’s scouting and recruiting efforts. In addition, Chapel Hill in 1996 with a bachelor of science he was responsible for organizing the team’s degree in pharmacy. He and his wife, Leigh, are travel plans and off-season workout programs. the proud parents of a daughter, Emily, who was Jonathan Tsipis is now in his fourth year as an Tsipis came to Elon after one year as the top born Sept. 18, 2004. The Tsipis family resides in assistant coach at Notre Dame. Since joining men’s assistant coach at LeMoyne College in South Bend. Muffet McGraw’s staff in May 2003, Tsipis (pro- Syracuse, N.Y. He also spent three seasons on the nounced SIP-iss) has worked primarily with the men’s basketball staff at Cornell University (one Irish wings, while also aiding with Notre Dame’s as a full-time assistant, two as a volunteer aide), The Tsipis File nationally-ranked recruiting efforts, scouting and and one year on the men’s basketball staff at Duke. practice planning. In addition, he oversees all In the latter role, he served under legendary Blue • Birthdate: Nov. 7, 1972 equipment and apparel needs for the Irish. Devils head coach and worked Cleveland, Ohio “Jonathan really understands the game from all alongside current head • Hometown: angles and does a tremendous job of passing that men’s basketball coach Tommy Amaker. • Education: 1996 – B.S., RPh, in knowledge on to our team,” McGraw said. “He’s a In addition to his coaching duties, Tsipis also pharmacy from North Carolina great teacher who stresses the fundamentals serves as the president of the Future Hoopsters above everything else. His scouting reports and Basketball Camp which he founded in 1991. The game preparation skills are also excellent, and camp is divided into two one-week sessions and Coaching Experience he’s very poised and confident under pressure, focuses on specialized individual instruction. He which are all qualities that our players respond also worked at the Basketball Camp USA in 2003-present well to.” Letahoria, Greece, in July of 2001. There, Tsipis University of Notre Dame In his first two seasons with the Irish, Tsipis worked clinics for top-ranked junior players from Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach had a hand in guiding forward Jacqueline Batteast Greece and Macedonia, focusing on perimeter and (Fourth Season) to the most productive years of her career, aver- ball handling skills. aging 16.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game Tsipis also is an active member of the Women’s 2002-03 while twice earning All-America honors, including Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). He is in his UNC-Greensboro a spot on the prestigious 10-player Kodak/WBCA first year on that body’s Scholarship Committee, Director of Men’s Basketball Operations All-America Team and third-team laurels from the which helps evaluate candidates and recipients for, (One Season) Associated Press in 2004-05. Batteast also was the among others, the Robin Roberts/WBCA ’04-05 BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year and Broadcasting Scholarship Award and the Charles 2000-02 a two-time first-team all-conference pick. Timothy Stoner Law Scholarship Award. Elon (N.C.) University Following her brilliant college career, Batteast Tsipis comes from a family with a deep basket- Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach was chosen by the Minnesota Lynx in the second ball background. His father, Lou, played for the (Two Seasons) round of the ’05 WNBA Draft, and won a WNBA Greek National Team at age 15, had a standout title with the Detroit Shock in 2006. career at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, 1999-2000 Last season, Tsipis helped freshman guard and later played professionally in Greece. A mem- LeMoyne College Lindsey Schrader to one of the best rookie sea- ber of both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall sons in school history, averaging 10.5 points and of Fame (1987; lifetime member as an official) and Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach a team-high 5.4 rebounds per game. She also Hellenic Sports Hall of Fame (1997), Lou also (One Season) became the second Irish women’s basketball coached at the high school and collegiate levels player (and first in 26 years) to start her career for more than 20 years. Tsipis’ brother, Dean, 1996-99 with a double-double, and ended her first year played at Case Western Reserve University in Cornell University under the Golden Dome with a 29-point outburst Cleveland, Ohio, and his sister, LuAnn Damiris, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach against Boston College in the NCAA Tournament was a three-sport letterwinner at Baldwin-Wallace. (Three Seasons)

60 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME® stint at Beaver (Pa.) Area High School, the first two as an assistant girls’ basketball coach before elevating to the head coaching post for the 2004-05 season. In her three years at the school, the Bobcats logged a 38-36 record and twice advanced to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class 3A playoffs, finishing as one of the top 32 teams in the state. Before arriving at BAHS, Potthoff spent two seasons (2000-02) as an assistant coach at Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pa. While there, she worked primarily with the Colonials’ post players, and also helped coordinate the team’s recruiting, scouting and game scheduling efforts. Potthoff began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Indiana (Pa.) University in 1999-2000, aiding the Indians to a 24-5 record (the second-highest win total in school history), a school-record No. 4 national ranking during the season, and a Angie trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs, where only a double-overtime loss kept IUP from advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight. That Potthoff season, Potthoff worked closely with the Indians’ 6-foot-5 center, Melissa McGill, who led the team in scoring (13.6 ppg.), B rebounding (8.2 rpg.) and blocked shots (a school-record 69) en route to earning WBCA Assistant Coach all-district honors. Potthoff is perhaps best known as a Second Season standout post player at Penn State, where experience, Potthoff also has competed on an A Penn State ’97 she led the Lady Lions to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet Sixteen trips international level. In 1997, she was named to the and a berth in the 1994 regional final. While at U.S. World University Games, where she averaged Angie Potthoff embarks on her second season PSU, Potthoff was a two-time Kodak/WBCA 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game and helped as an assistant coach at Notre Dame. With the honorable mention All-American (1996, 1997), Team USA win the gold medal with a perfect 6-0 Irish, Potthoff focuses her attention on the post while also garnering three All-America nods from record. Ironically, one of her teammates on the S game, while also contributing to Notre Dame’s squad was former Notre Dame All-America the Associated Press (third team in 1996; nationally-ranked recruiting efforts and assisting honorable mention in 1995 & 1997). She was a standout and the school’s all-time leading scorer, with scouting and practice planning. The former three-time first-team all- Beth Morgan (now the head coach at Virginia All-America forward at Penn State University and selection (1995-97) and was named to the Big Ten Commonwealth). three-year pro basketball veteran is the newest All-Tournament Team in 1995 and 1996, picking up Born June 12, 1974 in Erie, Pa., Potthoff K assistant coach on the Irish staff, having arrived Most Valuable Player honors in the latter season currently makes her home in South Bend. She is at Notre Dame on May 12, 2005. after sparking Penn State to its second engaged to Luke Barber of Center Township, Pa., “Angie spent her entire playing career at the consecutive Big Ten Tournament title. with a summer 2007 wedding planned. highest level, both in college and the pros,” Irish In each of her final three seasons at Penn State, head coach Muffet McGraw said. “Having a former Potthoff led the Lady Lions in scoring, rebounding E post player with that kind of experience will and percentage, winning a share of the makes us better. She’s a hard-nosed, driven Big Ten scoring title and finishing second in competitor who has a great desire to be rebounding in 1997. To this day, she still remains The Potthoff File successful, and that’s what makes a great coach. among the top six on PSU’s career lists for scoring • Birthdate: June 12, 1974 I’m thrilled to have her on our staff because she (sixth - 1,725 points/15.5 ppg.), rebounding (fifth - helps us across the board in so many ways.” 918/8.3 rpg.), field goal percentage (first - .574/709- • Hometown: Erie, Pa. T “I’m very excited to work, not only with a 1,235) and double-doubles (second - 47). Potthoff tremendous coach in Muffet McGraw, but also in graduated from Penn State in 1997 with a bachelor • Education: 1997 – B.S. in exercise and an outstanding program and University,” Potthoff of science degree in Exercise and Sport Science. sports science from Penn State said. “I’m eagerly embracing the challenge of Following her stellar college career, Potthoff working with such a successful program and spent three seasons playing professionally in the Coaching Experience B helping take us to another level in that success.” . In 1997, she was a second-round It didn’t take long for Potthoff to put her stamp draft pick (No. 12 overall) by the Columbus Quest 2005-present on the Notre Dame post game. She successfully of the now-defunct American Basketball League University of Notre Dame tutored sophomore center Melissa D’Amico to (ABL). There, she averaged 6.9 points and 3.5 Assistant Coach MVP honors at the 2005 Las Vegas Duel in the rebounds per game as the Quest won their (Second Season) A Desert and subsequently, D’Amico’s selection as second consecutive ABL championship in 1998 BIG EAST Conference Player of the Week. For the before the league folded midway through the season, D’Amico showed tremendous 2002-05 1998-99 campaign. The following summer, Beaver (Pa.) Area High School improvement in all statistical categories — most Potthoff was selected in the fourth round (49th notably, she more than tripled her freshman year overall) of the WNBA Draft by the expansion Assistant/Head Coach L scoring output (to 5.9 ppg.) and improved her Minnesota Lynx. She cracked the starting lineup (Three Seasons) first-year rebounding effort by more than 200 for the first game in franchise history, going on to percent (to 3.7 rpg.). average 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds per game 2000-02 Prior to joining the Irish, Potthoff spent six years that season before electing to retire as an active Robert Morris University in the high school and college coaching ranks (1999- player and begin her coaching career. Assistant Coach L 2005). Most recently, she concluded a three-year In addition to her college and professional (Two Seasons)

2006-07 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 61 Coordinator of Basketball Operations I In her first year with the Irish, Menio helped Notre Dame finish 11th in the nation in average atten- dance (6,601 fans per R game, a 13-percent increase over the previous season) and was the spark behind attracting the third I women’s basketball sellout in school history (11,418 vs. Tennessee on Dec. 31, 2005). That sellout was made even more notable S when all tickets were Stephanie exhausted 19 days prior to tipoff, a school record for Menio the fastest women’s bas- ketball sellout. H In addition, with Menio at the helm during the Coordinator of 2005-06 season, Notre Dame saw a five-percent Basketball Operations rise in season ticket sales, Second Season as well as a 14-percent Pittsburgh ’04 jump in regular-season ticket revenue. Menio’s marketing and With an infectious personality and unwa- promotions savvy has vering drive to succeed, Stephanie Menio been a vital force for a (pronounced Many-o) is in her second sea- Notre Dame program that now has been focused on marketing and promotions for son as coordinator of basketball operations ranked among the top 20 in the nation in the Tiger women’s basketball, volleyball, at Notre Dame. attendance in each of the past six years. softball and gymnastics programs, as well Menio oversees all aspects of marketing Besides those three sellouts, the Irish also assisting with group ticket sales and game and promotions for the Notre Dame have attracted 19 of 20 largest women’s bas- management for football and men’s basket- women’s basketball program, as well as ketball crowds in school history since 2000- ball. Thanks to her efforts in ’04-05, the serve as director of the Irish women’s bas- 01, including 14 audiences at least of 8,000 Missouri volleyball team was ranked 19th in ketball camps and in both film fans, and attendance figures of 5,000 or bet- the nation in attendance, the gymnastics exchange and administrative duties related ter at 78 of the past 80 home games. team wound up 15th in the country in atten- to Notre Dame’s nationally-ranked recruit- “Stephanie has a wonderful amount of dance (a 30-percent increase), the Tiger ing efforts. energy and enthusiasm, which our fans, women’s basketball program saw a 20-per- players and staff have really enjoyed,” Notre cent increase in season ticket sales and a 21- Dame head coach Muffet McGraw said. “She percent increase in attendance, and the The Menio File has such a passion for this program and Missouri softball team recorded the seven never stops coming up with ways to con- largest crowds in the program’s history, • Birthdate: May 29, 1982 tinue making us one of the country’s top increasing attendance by 30 percent. Prior to arriving at Missouri, Menio spent • Hometown: Wilkes-Barre, Pa. attractions on and off the court.” “I am very excited to have the opportunity two years as a marketing assistant with the • Education: 2004 – B.S. in business to work with Coach McGraw, the staff, play- women’s basketball program at the administration from Pittsburgh ers and especially the outstanding and loyal University of Pittsburgh. In conjunction with fans of Notre Dame women’s basketball,” the debut of the new Petersen Events Menio said. “From the minute I stepped on Center, Menio aided in the Panthers’ 114- Previous Experience campus, I felt the passion and excitement percent rise in attendance from 2002-04, surrounding the Irish women's basketball including the first women’s basketball sell- 2005-present out in school history (12,632 vs. University of Notre Dame program. We made good progress in my first Connecticut on Jan. 25, 2003). Coordinator of Basketball Operations year here, but I won’t rest until we’re selling Menio graduated from Pittsburgh in 2004 (Second Season) out the Joyce Center on a night-in, night-out basis.” with a bachelor of science degree in busi- 2004-05 Menio spent the 2004-05 year as a market- ness administration. She was born May 29, University of Missouri ing associate in the athletics department at 1982 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and now makes Marketing Associate the University of Missouri, where she her home in Mishawaka. (One Season)

62 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME® Support Staff

India Mike Anne Chris Franklin Karwoski Marquez Masters Administrative Associate Assistant Assistant Sports Assistant Athletics Director Athletic Trainer Information Director India Franklin is the newest Mike Karwoski is in his 15th year Anne Marquez begins her first Chris Masters is in his sixth year addition to Notre Dame as part of the University of Notre year as an assistant athletic as an assistant sports information Dame athletics administration. He women’s basketball program, trainer at Notre Dame, focusing director at Notre Dame. He is the was promoted to associate athletics primary media contact for the Irish coming aboard in May of 2006. her responsibilities on the Irish director in February 2005, following women’s basketball team. women’s basketball, men’s golf, five years as an assistant athletics She replaces Jeri Lucas, who Marquez arrived at Notre Dame and cross country/track & field retired from the University fol- director, five years as director of programs, having promoted three compliance, one year as assistant in October 2006 following three B lowing 25 years of exemplary basketball All-Americans and director of compliance and two years as an assistant athletic service, including the last 12 years as an intern in the depart- trainer at Louisiana Tech. While worked with six BIG EAST with the Irish women’s basket- ment. in Ruston, La., Marquez worked Conference championship teams ball team. In his current role as associate closely with the Lady Techster during his tenure. In addition, he Franklin is instrumental in athletics director, Karwoski over- women’s basketball and soccer has contributed to Internet radio A sees the areas of NCAA compliance programs. She also assisted with broadcasts of several Notre Dame handling many of the day-to- and student-athlete development/ sporting events, even traveling to day operations for head coach additional areas of the school’s welfare. In addition, he is involved athletic training department, pro- College Station, Texas, to cover the Muffet McGraw and her staff with off-campus issues and student- viding support for each of Irish volleyball team in the 2005 athlete conduct. He also serves as She also is an important con- Louisiana Tech’s 16 sports, and NCAA Sweet 16, and he has worked tributor to Notre Dame’s the sport administrator for men’s on the media relations staff at six of S golf, women’s lacrosse, men’s and insurance coordinating. During the past nine NCAA Women’s Final nationally-ranked recruiting women’s cross country, indoor and the spring, she also taught a efforts, playing a key role in outdoor track, cheerleading and sports medicine and first aid Fours. helping to coordinate on-cam- assists Athletics Director Kevin course at the University. Prior to coming to Notre Dame, pus visitations. White with administration responsi- Marquez came to Louisiana Masters spent three years as assis- tant sports information director at K India is a native of Flint, bilities for women’s basketball. Tech after serving as a graduate Karwoski has served on various assistant athletic trainer at Western Kentucky University from Mich., and is a 1999 graduate BIG EAST sports committees, Northwestern State University in 1998-2001, serving as the contact of the University of Michigan, including the men’s and women’s Natchitoches, La., from August of for the Lady Topper women’s bas- having earned her bachelor’s soccer committees, and for the past 2001 through May of 2003. While ketball and volleyball teams. He three years the men’s and women’s degree in health care adminis- at Northwestern State, Marquez also spent time as the depart- E golf committee. He also served as ment’s publications coordinator, tration. She recently relocated tournament director for the 2005 worked with the Demons’ assisted in the development of to South Bend from Houston, NCAA Men’s Golf Central Regional, women’s basketball and football Texas, where she spent the hosted by Notre Dame’s Warren Golf teams. The Framingham, Mass., WKU’s athletic web site, served as media relations coordinator for the past two years working as a Course. native, who is NATABOC certified, 2000 Sun Belt Conference women’s project specialist for The Following his graduation from also served as an instructor at T Central Connecticut State Northwestern State, heading CPR basketball tournament and filled in Methodist Hospital. Prior to University in 1990 with a degree in and first aid courses for univer- as color analyst for radio broad- working in the health care political science, Karwoski served sity students. casts of Western Kentucky field, Franklin worked two as a committee clerk and legislative Prior to her days at women’s basketball road games on years in the Office of aide in the Connecticut General Northwestern State, the National the road. Assembly. During his undergraduate Athletic Trainers Association Masters is a 1996 graduate of B Development at Rice years at CCSU, he was a member of Ohio Wesleyan University with a University, and also served as both the baseball and soccer teams. (NATA) member was a student bachelor’s degree in journalism an elementary school teacher During the 1991-92 academic year, athletic trainer at the University and politics & government. In 1998, for five years. Karwoski served as an athletics of West Florida in Pensacola for the 1999-2000 school year, work- he earned his master’s degree in Franklin is the mother of administrative assistant and gradu- ate assistant soccer coach at ing with men’s and women’s cross mass communications from A three sons — DeAndre (16), Kansas State. Springfield (Mass.) College as he country, women’s soccer and JaQuelon (15) and Armaan (5). earned a master’s of education women’s softball. An active member of the College The Franklin family now makes degree with a concentration in Marquez earned her bachelor’s Sports Information Directors of its home in South Bend. sports management. degree in sports medicine and America (CoSIDA) since 1996, A native of Farmington, Conn., athletic training in May 2001 from Masters now is in his ninth year as Karwoski is married to the former L the University of West Florida and a district coordinator on that orga- Ann Niemier of South Bend, a senior nization’s prestigious Academic staff assistant in the Notre Dame completed her master’s of educa- ® football office. They reside in tion with an emphasis in All-America Committee. He was Granger. sports administration from born on May 2, 1974 in San Northwestern State in May 2003. Francisco, Calif., and now resides L in Mishawaka.

2006-07 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 63 Support Staff I R I Tony Adam Alison Cheron Rolinski Sargent Guengerich Wilson Associate Director Academic Senior Senior S Strength & Counselor Manager Manager Conditioning Former Irish lacrosse player Alison Guengerich (pronounced Cheron Wilson is the senior Tony Rolinski is in his sixth sea- gun-RICH) is the senior personnel equipment manager for the Notre Adam Sargent is in his first year manager for Notre Dame women’s Dame women’s basketball team. son as the associate director of as the academic advisor for the basketball team. She joined the strength and conditioning at Notre Notre Dame women’s squad in January 2006 after serving She began working with the Irish in H January 2006 after working the fall Dame after three years as an assis- basketball team. In addition to as a student manager for the Notre Dame football program, primarily semester with the Notre Dame foot- tant strength coach. He is responsi- his responsibilities with ble for developing and supervising working with the defensive backs and ball team. basketball, Sargent also special teams units. the strength and conditioning pro- As the equipment manager oversees the academic As the women’s basketball person- grams for both Irish basketball nel manager, Guengerich oversees all Wilson is the charge of all the teams, as well as the Notre Dame advising duties for baseball, aspects of in-season travel for the equipment issues, which include hockey team. hockey, women’s swimming Irish, including the arrangement of ordering, organizing, managing, A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and diving and men’s and flights and bus travel, the negotiation cleaning and issuing all the differ- Rolinski joined the Notre Dame staff women’s lacrosse. He is of hotel accommodations, and the ent types of equipment and athletic management of away game finances gear the team and coaches will in 1998 after spending one year currently pursuing a master’s and meals. From tip-off to the final (1997-98) at Duquesne University, degree in mental health buzzer while on the road, she films receive. Taylor also helps keep practices organized with her coun- where he implemented the strength counseling. the game for the coaches and team. During the Irish home games, terpart, personnel manager, Alison and conditioning programs for 20 A 1999 graduate of Notre varsity sports. Guengerich sits on the bench keeping Guengerich. During both home Dame with a double major in track of such statistics as the players’ The 37-year-old Rolinski is a 1991 and away games, Wilson is in times, fouls, time outs, and the shot history and anthropology, charge of play-by-play statistics graduate of Penn State University chart. with a bachelor’s degree in health Sargent was a member of the During the summer of 2006, and provides water and towels for education and a minor in exercise lacrosse team from 1994-97. Guengerich assisted Stephanie Menio the bench. science. While playing, the Irish won the with the various Notre Dame Wilson graduated from From 1994-96, while earning his Great Western Lacrosse League women’s basketball summer camps. Thornwood High School in subur- She works closely with Cheron master’s degree in exercise physiol- ban Chicago. Thornwood also is and advanced to the NCAA Wilson, the Irish senior equipment ogy at the University of Pittsburgh, tournament three times. manager, to ensure that practice and the alma mater of Eddy Curry, who formerly played for the NBA’s he served as an intern on the During the 1997 campaign, daily occurrences in the office run smoothly. Chicago Bulls and now plays for Panther football program staff, Sargent started 12 games, where he assisted with all aspects Guengerich also serves on the the New York Knicks. helping Notre Dame to a 9-3 of the strength and conditioning Student Athlete Advisory Council Wilson is enrolled in the College (SAAC) as a representative for the program. mark. of Arts and Letters at Notre Dame A native of Rochester, N.Y., Student Manager Organization Class Following his stint in Pittsburgh, of 2007. This council, which acts as a as a psychology major with a minor Rolinski served as the head Sargent is single and resides in voice for those involved in Notre in anthropology, with a cumulative strength and conditioning coach at South Bend. Dame athletics, meets monthly to 3.2 GPA. She will graduate in May North Hills High School in coordinate community service 2007 with hopes to possibly do Pittsburgh (1996-97). opportunities, social activities, edu- post-graduate service. cational presentations, and to dis- Wilson was born on May 29, He also has earned certifications cuss the issues forwarded to it by from the Collegiate Strength and student-athletes. 1985 in Chicago, as the fourth of six Conditioning Coaches Association Guengerich is enrolled in the children born to Sharon and Curtis (SCCC) and the National Strength College of Science as a Science- Wilson, Sr. Wilson also is a proud and Conditioning Association Business major with a 3.1 GPA. She aunt with two young nieces from will graduate in May 2007. (CSCS). her older sister. Guengerich was born on Born December 10, 1968, Rolinski September 7, 1984 in Chicago, and is and his wife, Julie, have two daugh- the older of two daughters born to ters, Alexis and Jaclyn, and two Charles and Diane Guengerich. Her sons, Jake and Jared. sister, Courtney, is a freshman at St. Mary’s College, and Alison hails from the same grade school, St. Juliana School (Class of 1999), as current Irish men’s basketball senior guard Colin Falls.

64 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME®