COACHING STAFF

HEAD COACH ���������������������������������������������������������14-15 ASSISTANT COACH ORLANDO ANTIGUA ������������������������������������������������������16 ASSISTANT COACH RON COLEMAN ��������������������������������������������������������������16 ASSISTANT COACH ������������������������������������������������������������17 ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH GEOFF ALEXANDER ��������������������������������17 STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH ADAM FLETCHER ��������������������������18 DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS JOEY BIGGS ����������������������������������������������������18 VIDEO COORDINATOR PATRICK SCHULTE ��������������������������������������������������18 GRADUATE MANAGER GRANT BALE ������������������������������������������������������������18 ATHLETIC TRAINER PAUL SCHMIDT ������������������������������������������������������������19 COORDINATOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS ROD CARDINAL ������������������������������19 ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY JULIE PIOLETTI ��������������������������������������������19 GRAPHIC DESIGN/SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR KELSEA GARTHOFF ��������19 DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS ��������������������������������������������������20 DIA ADMINISTRATION / SUPPORT STAFF �����������������������������������������������21-22 ATHLETICS BOARD ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22 UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION ��������������������������������������������������������������������23 BOARD OF TRUSTEES ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������23 RICHMOND ENDOWMENT ����������������������������������������������������������������������������24 THE COACHING STAFF HEAD COACH BRAD UNDERWOOD

“I dream big. And I dream bigger. Winning a national championship is something that can happen here, and I want to be part of that. I want to help lead this progam to that.” –– Brad Underwood at his introductory press conference (March 20, 2017)

Brad Underwood was hired as Fighting Illini men’s Lumberjacks ranked seventh in the nation in field coach in March 2017, becoming the goal percentage (.487) and led the NCAA in assists 18th head coach in program history. He arrives in (18.7 apg). Champaign as the third-winningest head coach in NCAA history through four seasons, totaling 109 His debut season in Nacogdoches in 2014 included career victories. a 29-game winning streak and culminated in a 32-3 record and NCAA Round of 32 appearance after a Underwood came to Illinois from Oklahoma State, victory over No. 5 seed VCU in the opening round. THE UNDERWOOD FILE where he led OSU to a 20-win season and NCAA Underwood earned the Joe B. Hall award, given to Tournament appearance. The Cowboys had one the nation’s top first-year coach. HOMETOWN of the most exciting and prolific offenses in the McPherson, Kan. country, ranking fifth in the NCAA in scoring (85.7 Prior to taking over at Stephen F. Austin, Underwood FAMILY points per game) and leading the nation in adjusted served the 2013 season as associate head coach at Wife, Susan offensive efficiency (kenpom). The Cowboys ranked South Carolina under Frank Martin. He went to Son, Tyler; Daughters, Katie & Ashley 14th nationally in 3-point field goal percentage Columbia with Martin after serving on his bench EDUCATION (.402), fourth in the country in offensive rebounding for five seasons as an assistant at Kansas State, with , percentage (.383) and fourth in the NCAA in free his final season elevated to associate head coach. B.S., Radio & TV Communications, 1986 throw percentage (.789). Underwood spent his first year at K-State in the role of director of operations for then-head coach Bob PLAYING EXPERIENCE Oklahoma State finished fifth in the Big 12 with a Huggins. 1983 Hardin-Simmons University 9-9 conference record in a season where the Big 12 1984 Independnce Community College 1985-86 Kansas State University was rated as the top conference in the nation. That Underwood had two head coaching stints in the was a dramatic improvement for the Cowboys, who junior college ranks, compiling a 70-24 record in COACHING EXPERIENCE went 3-15 in league play a year ago. Oklahoma State three seasons at Daytona Beach (2004-06) and a 1988 Graduate Assistant came on strong during the second half of the season, 57-63 mark in four years at Dodge City (1990-93). Hardin-Simmons University winning 10 of 11 games from Jan. 21-Feb. 25, which In between those opportunities, Underwood was 1989 Assistant Coach included a pair of five-game winning streaks. entrenched in the state of Illinois for 10 seasons, as Dodge City Community College an assistant coach for Jim Kerwin at Western Illinois Underwood arrived in Stillwater following a from 1994-2003. 1990-93 Head Coach dominant run at Stephen F. Austin where he led Dodge City Community College the Lumberjacks to Southland Conference regular Underwood is a December 1986 graduate of Kansas 1994-2003 Assistant Coach season and tournament titles in each of his three State University. He played in Manhattan for Western Illinois University seasons. Underwood compiled an 89-14 record at the legendary , K-State’s all-time SFA, tied with Brad Stevens (Butler, 2008-10) for winningest coach. Former Illinois head coach Lon 2004-06 Head Coach Daytona Beach Community College the most wins by a head coach in his first three Kruger also played and coached for Hartman at seasons at an NCAA school. Kansas State. 2007 Director of Operaions Kansas State University He led SFA to a 28-6 overall record and NCAA Underwood began his college career at Hardin- 2008-11 Assistant Coach Round of 32 appearance in 2016. The 14th-seeded Simmons, where he later worked as a graduate Kansas State University Lumberjacks rolled past No. 3 West Virginia in the assistant. Hardin-Simmons was the first college first round, 70-56, before narrowly missing a trip to job for , the Fighting Illini’s all-time 2012 Associate Head Coach the Sweet 16 with a 76-75 defeat to No. 6 Notre winningest coach, and whose name permanently Kansas State University Dame in the second round. adorns the court at . 2013 Associate Head Coach University of South Carolina That Stephen F. Austin squad was efficient on both Brad and his wife, Susan, have a son, Tyler, and two sides of the ball, ranking 57th nationally on offense daughters, Katie and Ashley. Tyler also is a member 2014-16 Head Coach and 38th on defense. The Lumberjacks averaged of the Fighting Illini basketball team. Stephen F. Austin University 80.2 points accompanied by high-pressure defense 2017 Head Coach that forced the highest turnover rate in the country Oklahoma State University (.259). 2018 Head Coach Underwood’s second SFA team went 29-5 in 2015, University of Illinois also advancing to the NCAA Tournament. The

14 // FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL // 1,764 VICTORIES // 17 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS // 30 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES // FIVE FINAL FOURS THE COACHING STAFF HEAD COACH BRAD UNDERWOOD UNDERWOOD’S DI HEAD COACHING RECORD

Oklahoma State University Overall / Conf. (Finish) Postseason 2016-17 20-13 / 9-9 (5th) NCAA 1st Round

Stephen F. Austin University Overall / Conf. (Finish) Postseason 2013-14 32-3 / 18-0 (1st) NCAA Round of 32 2014-15 29-5 / 17-1 (1st) NCAA 1st Round 2015-16 28-6 / 18-0 (1st) NCAA Round of 32 Three Years 89-14 (.864) / 53-1 (.981)

TOTAL: Four Years 109-27 (.801) • Four NCAA Tournament Appearances • Two NCAA Tournament Wins • Three Conference Championships • Three Conference Tournament Titles

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood with his wife, Susan, son Tyler, and daughters, Winningest Coaches in NCAA History after First Four Years Katie (left) and Ashley. Rk. Coach Wins School(s) Seasons 1. Brad Stevens 117 Butler 2008-11 2. Shaka Smart 111 VCU 2010-13 UNDERWOOD’S HEAD COACHING RECORD VS. ALL OPPONENTS 3. Brad Underwood 109 Stephen F. Austin /Oklahoma St. 2014-17 Opponent...... W-L Opponent...... W-L 4. Everett Case 107 North Carolina State 1947-50 Abilene Christian...... 3-0 North Carolina...... 0-1 5. Josh Pastner 106 Memphis 2010-13 Appalachian State...... 1-0 North Texas...... 2-0 6. 105 Gonzaga 2000-03 Arizona State...... 0-1 Northern Iowa...... 0-2 105 2004-07 Arkansas...... 1-0 Northwestern State...... 8-0 8. Bruce Stewart 104 W.Va. Wesleyan/Middle Tennessee 1983-86 Arkansas Pine-Bluff...... 1-0 Notre Dame...... 0-1 Steve Prohm 104 Murray State 2012-15 Arkansas Tech...... 3-0 Oklahoma...... 2-0 Austin Peay...... 1-0 Oral Roberts...... 2-0 10. Roy Williams 103 Kansas 1989-92 Baylor...... 0-4 Ouachita Baptist...... 1-0 Cal State Northridge...... 2-0 Our Lady of the Lake...... 1-0 Campbell...... 1-0 Prairieview A&M...... 1-0 Underwood in the NCAA Tournament Central Arkansas...... 4-0 Rogers State...... 1-0 2017 Connecticut...... 1-0 Samford...... 1-0 First Round East Tennessee State...... 0-1 Sam Houston State...... 8-0 #7 Michigan 92, #10 Oklahoma State 91 Elmhurst...... 1-0 Southeastern Louisiana...... 3-0 Georgetown...... 1-0 TCU...... 2-0 2016 Henderson State...... 1-0 Texas...... 1-2 First Round High Point...... 1-0 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi...... 6-1 #14 Stephen F. Austin 70, #3 West Virginia 56 Houston Baptist...... 6-0 Texas Southern...... 1-0 Incarnate Word...... 5-0 Texas State...... 2-0 Round of 32 Iowa State...... 0-3 Texas Tech...... 2-0 James Madison...... 1-0 Towson...... 1-0 #6 Notre Dame 76, #14 Stephen F. Austin 75 Kansas...... 0-2 Tulane...... 0-1 Kansas State...... 1-1 Tulsa...... 1-0 2015 Lamar...... 6-0 UAB...... 0-1 First Round Long Beach State...... 1-0 UCLA...... 0-1 #5 Utah 57, #12 Stephen F. Austin 50 LSU-Shreveport...... 1-0 UNC-Wilmington...... 1-0 Marshall...... 1-0 Utah...... 0-1 2014 Maryland...... 0-1 UT Tyler...... 1-0 First Round McNeese State...... 3-0 VCU...... 1-0 #12 Stephen F. Austin 77, #5 VCU 75 Memphis...... 1-0 Western Michigan...... 1-0 Michigan...... 0-1 West Virginia...... 2-1 Second Round Mississippi College...... 1-0 Wichita State...... 1-0 #4 UCLA 77, #12 Stephen F. Austin 60 New Orleans...... 4-0 Xavier...... 0-1 Nicholls State...... 3-0 TOTAL...... 109-27

2017-18 ILLINOIS BASKETBALL RECORD BOOK // 15 THE COACHING STAFF ORLANDO ANTIGUA RON COLEMAN ASSISTANT COACH ASSISTANT COACH

Orlando Antigua joined the Fighting Ron “Chin” Coleman joined the Illini staff as an assistant coach in Fighting Illini staff as an assistant April 2017. coach in April 2017.

Antigua arrived at Illinois following Coleman came to Champaign after two and a half seasons as head coach serving the last two years as an at South Florida. He also served assistant at UIC under coach Steve as head coach of the Dominican McClain. The Flames were one of Republic men’s national team from the nation’s most improved teams 2013-15. During that stint in 2014, in 2017, recording 17 victories to the Dominican Republic advanced increase its win total by 12 over to the bracket round of the FIBA the previous season. While at UIC, World Cup for the first time in the Coleman helped recruit and mentor country’s history. Dikembe Dixson, the 2016 Freshman of the Year. Antigua earned the head position at South Florida after serving as an assistant for for six Prior to UIC, Coleman spent three years as an assistant at Bradley under seasons. He spent the 2009 season at Memphis before joining Calipari at then-coach Geno Ford, earning the title of assistant head coach in his Kentucky for five years from 2010-14. Named the top assistant coach in final season of 2015. the country under 40 by ESPN.com in 2012, Antigua helped assemble five straight No. 1-ranked recruiting classes during his time at UK. Coleman entered the college ranks as an assistant for Tim Miles at The Wildcats compiled a 152-37 record during his tenure, highlighted Colorado State, helping the Rams to 20 wins and an NCAA Tournament by three Final Four appearances and culminating in the 2012 NCAA appearance during the 2012 season. He then followed Miles to Nebraska, Championship. serving as director of player development before returning to his home state for the assistant coaching position at Bradley. Prior to joining Calipari at Memphis, Antigua spent five seasons at his alma mater, Pittsburgh. He was part of then-head coach Jamie Dixon’s Before joining the profession at the collegiate level, Coleman coached staff, three as director of basketball operations (2004-06) and two as one of the top AAU programs in the country, the Mac Irvin Fire, from assistant coach (2007-08) while Pitt compiled a 132-40 record. 2005-11. He also coached at the prep level in Chicago, leading Benjamin Mays Academy before becoming associate head coach at Whitney Young. Antigua played at Pittsburgh from 1992-95, serving as two-time team captain. He won the USBWA’s Most Courageous Athlete in 1994, an A Chicago native and graduate of South Shore, Coleman began his honor that is presented annually to a player who displays courage on and collegiate career at Weber State. He then transferred to Lamar where he off the court. led the Cardinals in scoring for three straight seasons, recording 1,316 points to rank 11th on the school’s all-time scoring list. After graduating from Pittsburgh in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in social sciecne, Antigua became the first player of Latin American descent Coleman earned a bachelor’s degree in applied arts and science from to play for the famed , touring the world for seven Lamar in 1997. years until 2002. The Globetrotters at that time were owned by Illinois alumnus and 2017 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Mannie Jackson.

Born in the Dominican Republic but raised in The Bronx borough of , Antigua attended St. Raymond’s High School. As a senior, he earned McDonald’s All-America and Parade magazine All- America second-team honors and was also named All-New York City.

Fluent in Spanish, Antigua and his wife, Dana, have a daughter, Olivia, and a son, Orlando Anthony.

16 // FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL // 1,764 VICTORIES // 17 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS // 30 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES // FIVE FINAL FOURS THE COACHING STAFF JAMALL WALKER GEOFF ALEXANDER ASSISTANT COACH ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH

Jamall Walker is in his sixth season Geoff Alexander joined the Fighting as an assistant coach for the Fighting Illini staff as assistant to the head Illini after joining the program in coach in July 2017. April 2012. Alexander is a 17-year veteran of He served as interim coach during the coaching profession and came to the 2017 NIT, leading the Orange Champaign after spending the last and Blue to a quarterfinal appearance five seasons as an assistant coach at following victories over Valparaiso Evansville. During his time serving and Boise State. under head coach Marty Simmons, the Purple Aces recorded three Walker came to Champaign from 20-plus win seasons. Ohio University, where he served on former UI coach ’s staff Included in that run was a 25-win as an assistant for a total of three campaign in 2016 that equaled years, in 2009 and again from 2011- the most wins for Evansville in its 12. In between those stints, he spent one season as director of basketball Division I history and culminated in a Missouri Valley Conference operations for Sean Miller at Arizona in 2010. Tournament title-game appearance. The 2015 Evansville squad, meanwhile, won 24 games, highlighted by the CollegeInsider.com A former point guard himself, Walker mentored one of the best in the Tournament championship. nation in Ohio’s D.J. Cooper, a two-time first-team All-MAC selection and 2012 MAC Tournament MVP. Prior to his tenure at Evansville, Alexander spent one year as an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois in 2012. That followed five years as an assistant Before arriving at Ohio, Walker spent one year as an assistant coach at at Idaho State from 2007-11, where he also served as the Bengals’ Murray State in 2008, preceded by a one-year stint as an assistant at St. recruiting coordinator. Louis in 2007. Alexander served three years as an assistant for Underwood at Daytona Walker entered the Division I coaching ranks at Ball State, where he State College from 2004-06. The Falcons compiled a 70-24 record, was an assistant and recruiting coordinator for two years from 2005- including a 25-5 mark in 2006, and won three consecutive Mid-Florida 06. During his time in Muncie, Walker played a key role in recruiting Conference Championships. He began in the junior college ranks as an Chicagoland guard Maurice Acker, the 2006 MAC Freshman of the Year. assistant at Jacksonville (Texas) College during the 2003 season.

Prior to Ball State, Walker spent two seasons as an assistant coach and Alexander’s coaching career started as a two-year graduate assistant at recruiting coordinator at Redlands Community College in El Reno, his alma mater, Western Illinois, from 2001-02. He competed for the Okla. While there he helped lead Redlands to a runner-up finish in the Leathernecks for two seasons from 1999-2000 while Underwood was 2004 NJCAA DI tournament. a WIU assistant, following two seasons of play at Southeastern (Iowa) Community College. Walker’s coaching career began as a varsity assistant at Alton (Ill.) high school during the 2000 season before serving in the same position at F.L. Alexander had a stellar prep career at Lincoln High School. He played for Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kan., from 2001-02. his father, Neil, the winningest coach in school history after 27 seasons and counting on the Railers’ sideline. Geoff graduated from Lincoln in Walker played point guard at Saint Louis for four years from 1996-99, 1995 and still ranks in the program’s top-10 for career points, rebounds helping lead the Billikens to the NCAA Tournament in 1998. He earned and assists. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Conference USA All-Freshman Team recognition in 1996 and ranks Association Hall of Fame in 2012, along with his younger brother, Gregg. seventh in St. Louis school history with 350 career assists. They joined their father, who was a 2004 IBCA Hall of Fame inductee

Walker graduated from St. Louis in 2000 with a degree in secondary Alexander earned two degrees from Western Illinois, a bachelor’s in 2000 education. He has a daughter, JaShawn, and he and his wife, Rebekah, and a master’s in 2002. He is married to the former Kiersten Coleman. have two sons, Braylon and Andrew. The Alexanders have two daughters, Braelyn and Kinley, and a son, Jax.

2017-18 ILLINOIS BASKETBALL RECORD BOOK // 17 THE COACHING STAFF ADAM FLETCHER JOEY BIGGS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Adam Fletcher is in his third season as strength and Joey Biggs joined the Fighting Illini men’s basketball conditioning coach for the Fighting Illini men’s staff as director of operations in April 2017. basketball team after joining the program in August 2015. Biggs came to Illinois after spending the last 15 years at Oklahoma State. He served 11 years as assistant Fletcher came to Illinois from Towson, where he served athletic director for basketball, overseeing travel, three years as the Tigers’ strength and conditioning budget, scheduling, special events, alumni relations coach. After less than a year on the job, he was and operational functions. promoted to director of strength and conditioning, leading the department while working with Towson’s men’s basketball, men’s Prior to working with the Cowboys men’s basketball program, Biggs oversaw lacrosse and golf programs. all marketing efforts of the Oklahoma State athletic department from 2002- 06. He was responsible for season ticket campaigns, ticket office operations, During his time at Towson, the 2013 team made the largest single-season merchandising, internet operation, contracts/vendor relationships, and all game- turnaround in NCAA history while the 2014 team won a program Division day staging. I record 25 games. Towson also won its first two postseason games as a D1 program. During his tenure, OSU set an all-time record for football season ticket sales in 2004, as well as records for total ticket revenues, merchandise revenues, Prior to arriving at Towson, Fletcher spent two years as assistant strength coach multimedia rights revenues and soft-drink revenues. at Michigan, working primarily with men’s basketball. The Wolverines went 45-24 during his two seasons in Ann Arbor, winning a share of the 2012 Big Ten Before his arrival at Oklahoma State, Biggs spent two years as associate director title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament both years. of athletics/external affairs at Emporia State University. He was in charge of all fundraising, development, marketing, corporate sales, ticketing campaigns and His professional experience began with a series of internships, including IMG media relations activities. Biggs also oversaw successful funding efforts to begin Academy and his alma mater, Miami-Ohio. a women’s soccer program. During his era, Emporia State athletics established all-time marks for annual monies raised and total revenues generated. Fletcher was a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter on the RedHawks basketball team, playing from 2007-10. He served as team captain as a senior He also served as director of development for the Tulsa Sports Commission from and also was named the team’s top defensive player. May 1999 to September 2000.

Fletcher earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Miami University in He served as an assistant basketball coach and assistant athletic director at his 2010 and a Master of Science (Strength and Conditioning) degree from Edith alma mater, Ottawa University, from 1996-99. Biggs participated in basketball Cowan University in 2011. and golf while attending Ottawa, earning a bachelor’s degree in history in 1997. He then received a master’s degree in sports administration from Kansas in 1998. A native of St. Albans, W.Va., Fletcher is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and Certified Joey and his wife, the former Michelle Arndt, have two daughters, Jenika and Sports Performance Coach by USA Weightlifting. He also holds first aid, CPR Jackelynn. and AED certifications.

GRANT BALE PATRICK SCHULTE GRADUATE MANAGER VIDEO COORDINATOR Grant Bale is in his first season as graduate manager Patrick Schulte joined the Fighting Illini men’s for the Fighting Illini. basketball staff as video coordinator in April 2017.

Bale spent the last three years as an on-court Schulte served as video coordinator for head coach student manager for the Fighting Illini, serving as Brad Underwood last year at Oklahoma State as co-head manager as a senior. well as his first two seasons at Stephen F. Austin. In between SFA and OSU, he spent the 2016 season as A native of Mason City, Illinois, Bale played varsity director of video for coach Frank Martin at South basketball at Illini Central and helped the Cougars win the IHSA Class 1A Carolina. state title during his senior year in 2013. Schulte spent three years as student manager at Kansas State, serving as head Bale graduated from the University of Illinois in 2017 with a bachelor’s manager during the 2013 season under coach . degree in agri-accounting. He is now enrolled in the UI master’s program in recreation, sport and tourism. Prior to transferring to K-State, Schulte played two seasons of basketball at Cloud County Community College. As a freshman, he led the conference in free throw percentage (92.0 percent) and ranked second in 3-point percentage (44.4 percent) while averaging 8.8 points.

A native of Seneca, Kansas, Patrick and his wife Stephanie have a daughter, Harper.

18 // FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL // 1,764 VICTORIES // 17 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS // 30 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES // FIVE FINAL FOURS THE COACHING STAFF PAUL SCHMIDT ROD CARDINAL ATHLETIC TRAINER COORDINATOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS Paul Schmidt is in his sixth season in charge of After 30 years as head athletic trainer of the athletic training for the Illini men’s basketball Fighting Illini men’s basketball team, Rod Cardinal program. served five years as director of basketball operations and is now in his 10th season as coordinator of Now in his 24th year working in college athletics, special projects. Cardinal is involved with alumni Schmidt is in his 12th year at Illinois after previously correspondence and reunion plans for the basketball serving six seasons as athletic trainer for the Illini program, in addition to fulfilling many other duties women’s basketball team. for the athletics department.

The Lombard, Illinois, native spent four years as the head athletic trainer Cardinal joined the Illinois staff as assistant athletic trainer at the UI in July at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, before coming to Illinois 1973 and retired from that position in the summer of 2003 as one of the in August 2006. Prior to that, he spent eight years working as an athletic most respected athletic trainers in the nation. He then spent two years in trainer at Syracuse University. charge of preparations for the centennial celebration of Illinois basketball, which took place throughout the 2004-05 season. Schmidt received his B.S. in physical education from Northern Illinois University in 1992 before spending one year as an athletic trainer at the Prior to his appointment at Illinois, he served in a similar capacity as High Plains Sports Medicine Clinic in Hays, Kansas. athletic trainer at the U.S. Military Academy. A native of Blaine, Minnesota, Cardinal graduated from Southwest State University (Minn.) in 1971 with He then headed to Syracuse to pursue a master’s degree and work as a a B.S. in health and physical education. He was a student trainer in high graduate assistant athletic trainer for the Orange sports programs. Schmidt school, and in college for three years prior to his West Point position. He earned his M.S. in exercise physiology from Syracuse University in 1996 and also played varsity basketball in college. spent the next six years there as an assistant athletic trainer. Cardinal earned a master’s degree in 1977 from Illinois in physical Schmidt is an Illinois State Licensed Athletic Trainer, an American Red education and sports medicine with an additional emphasis in educational Cross Certified Instructor for First Aid, CPR & AED, and a National administration. He received the Alumni Achievement Award from Southwest Academy of Sports Medicine Performance Enhancement Specialist. He also State University in 1995 and has been recognized as an Honorary Varsity is a member of the National Athletics Trainer Association and the Illinois “I” member at Illinois. Athletic Trainers Association. Cardinal, along with his wife, Mary, have three grown children and reside in Loda, Illinois. Their youngest son, Brian, was an All-Big Ten selection at Purdue and played 12 seasons in the NBA, winning a world championship in 2011 with the .

KELSEA GARTHOFF JULIE PIOLETTI GRAPHIC DESIGN/SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY Kelsea Garthoff joined the Fighting Illini men’s Julie Pioletti is in her 11th year as administrative basketball staff in August 2017. She specializes in social secretary for the Illini men’s basketball program. media production and graphic design for recruiting. Pioletti performs countless organizational and business duties for the office, maintains Coach Garthoff served the previous year as marketing and Underwood’s schedule, and also assists in summer sales director at the University of Illinois’ Willard camp preparations. Airport. Pioletti joined the basketball office after spending Prior to arriving at the U of I, Garthoff spent nearly four years at Utah State University, first as new media coordinator for Aggie seven years as an administrative secretary with UI athletics marketing and Athletics followed by lead graphic designer. corporate sponsorships departments.

Garthoff began her career as a graduate assistant in the marketing and Prior to her tenure in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, she spent communication office at her alma mater, Drury University. seven years as an administrative assistant in the UI police department after beginning her career at the University of Illinois in personnel. While at Drury, Garthoff was a four-year pitcher on the softball team. She concluded her career in 2012 as the Panthers’ career leader in victories (38), ERA Pioletti and her husband, Pat, reside in Philo. She has a son, Jarrod (2.61), complete games (43) and strikeouts (237) while also throwing just the Spoonemore, and daughter, Jacy Spoonemore. second no-hitter in school history vs. Missouri S&T on April 18, 2012.

Garthoff earned two degrees from Drury, a bachelor’s in integrated media, communication and writing in 2011 and a master’s in integrated marketing in 2013.

2017-18 ILLINOIS BASKETBALL RECORD BOOK // 19 THE COACHING STAFF DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS JOSH WHITMAN

Illinois alumnus Josh Whitman Prior to coming to Illinois, the 38-year-old Whitman spent nearly six was hired as the University’s 14th years as an athletics director at two universities. He came to Champaign- permanent director of athletics on Urbana following almost two years as director of athletics at Washington February 17, 2016. At the time of his University in St. Louis, a nationally recognized NCAA Division III hiring, Whitman, then 37 years old, program with 19 varsity sports and approximately 500 student-athletes. was the youngest athletics director During Whitman’s tenure, the program posted seven top-five NCAA in the Autonomy 5. In a relatively finishes, a combined GPA of 3.35, and a graduation rate of 99 percent. short time, Whitman’s “We Will Before joining Washington University, Whitman served as the director of Win” mantra and message of unity, athletics at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, another of the nation’s optimism, and bold action have leading Division III programs. Combined at those two institutions, rekindled the fire in the hearts of Whitman’s teams earned four national titles and 24 top-five team Illini fans everywhere. finishes, plus 34 conference championships.

Whitman has formulated an Whitman has two Illinois degrees. He graduated with Bronze Tablet aggressive agenda since his hiring, honors in 2001 while earning a bachelor’s degree in finance. In 2008, including launching the University’s he graduated summa cum laude from the Illinois College of Law before Athletics Hall of Fame and planning for a new $79.2 million football serving as a judicial law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the performance center. He has hired six new head coaches, including iconic Seventh Circuit. While attending law school, he worked for former Illini football coach , who led the Chicago Bears to Super Bowl athletics director in various administrative capacities XLI; Brad Underwood, who has won more than 80 percent of his games within the Illinois athletics department. in four years as a Division I head coach; and, women’s basketball coach Nancy Fahey, who arrives in Champaign-Urbana having already been On the gridiron for the Fighting Illini, Whitman was a four-year starting inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Whitman also tight end from 1997-2000 and two-time First Team Academic All- restructured the Illinois men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track American. He then spent parts of four seasons as a player in the National and field and cross country programs, bringing those six programs under Football League, including stints with the San Diego Chargers, Miami a single, unified coaching structure. Dolphins, and .

Externally, Whitman spearheaded efforts during his first year that Prior to embarking on his career in athletics administration, Whitman culminated in a 27.3 percent increase in DIA fundraising. He has been a practiced law in Washington, D.C., with Covington & Burling LLP, visible presence and frequent speaker at Illini events across the country. a firm with a preeminent sports practice that represents, among other Internally, Whitman reorganized the department’s leadership structure clients, the . and created the Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity. Whitman is committed to providing a first-class student-athlete experience, as Whitman grew up in West Lafayette, Ind., and is married to Hope evidenced through his efforts to connect personally with the Fighting Whitman. Their daughter, Tate, was born in 2016. He remains a Illini student-athletes on a regular basis and his frequent attendance at licensed attorney and is a member of the National Association of teams’ practices and competitions. Collegiate Directors of Athletics. In July, 2017, Whitman was named Central Illinois Business Magazine’s Forty Under 40 Man of the Year. Illinois finished 35th in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings for The Whitmans have become engaged in several Champaign-Urbana 2016-17, Whitman’s first full year at the helm, with seven teams community organizations, including Coaches vs. Cancer, the Tom Jones finishing their seasons ranked Challenger League and Habitat for Humanity. UI ATHLETICS DIRECTOR HISTORY in the Top 25 nationally. The 1892-94 Edward K. Hall Illini men’s golf and gymnastics 1894-95 Fred D. Dodge teams finished third and fourth, 1895-98 Henry H. Everett respectively, in the final NCAA 1898-1901 Jacob K. Shell rankings. In addition, the men’s 1901-36 George A. Huff 1936-41 Wendell S. Wilson golf program captured the Big 1941-66 Douglas R. Mills Ten championship. 1966-67 Leslie Bryan (interim) 1967-72 E.E. (Gene) Vance Whitman, a former Academic All- 1972 Charles E. Flynn (interim) American at Illinois, emphasizes 1972-79 Cecil N. Coleman 1979 (interim) the academic performance of the 1980-88 Neale R. Stoner Fighting Illini student-athletes. 1988 Ronald E. Guenther (interim) In 2016-17, the student-athletes 1988 Dr. Karol A. Kahrs (interim) posted a cumulative GPA of 1988-91 3.21, with the football and men’s 1991-92 Robert Todd (interim) 1992-2011 Ronald E. Guenther basketball programs leading the 2011-2015 Mike Thomas conference in the total number of 2015-16 Paul Kowalczyk (interim) Academic All-Big Ten honorees. 2016- Josh Whitman

20 // FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL // 1,764 VICTORIES // 17 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS // 30 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES // FIVE FINAL FOURS THE COACHING STAFF DIA ADMINISTRATION / SUPPORT STAFF

Warren Hood Paul Kowalczyk Jason Lener Susan Young Maria Ochoa Woods Marty Kaufmann Deputy Director of Athletics Executive Senior Associate AD Executive Senior Associate AD Executive Senior Associate AD Senior Associate AD Senior Associate AD Sport Administration Sport Administration Chief Financial Officer Senior Woman Administrator Business Development

Howard Milton Keiko Price Ryan Squire Brett Stillwell Randy Ballard Kent Brown Senior Associate AD Senior Associate AD Senior Associate AD Senior Associate AD Associate AD Associate AD Development Sport Administration Chief Integrity Officer Capital Projects & Facilities Sports Medicine Media Relations

John Chipman Marlon Dechausay Zach Goines Jason Heggemeyer Nick Rogers Holly Stalcup Associate AD Associate AD Associate AD Associate AD Associate AD Associate AD Business Affairs Academic Services Development Ticketing and Sales Information Technology Event Management

Kevin Ullestad Carrie Ummel Benjy Wilber Lenny Willis Christopher Span Matthew Wheeler Associate AD Associate AD Associate AD Associate AD Faculty Representative Faculty Representative State Farm Center Development Compliance Facilities

Zach Acton Brian Amentt Cory Ansfield Dustin Boyer Derrick Burson Bobbi Busboom Event Coordinator Director Assistant AD Director Assistant AD Assistant AD Ticketing I FUND Scholarships Premium Seating Communication Development, Operations 2017-18 ILLINOIS BASKETBALL RECORD BOOK // 21 THE COACHING STAFF DIA ADMINISTRATION / SUPPORT STAFF

Troy Collier Kyle Croy Tom Divan Haven Fields Dr. Robert Gurtler Davis Hendrickson Team Chaplain Assistant Equipment Director of Facility Management Assistant AD Head Team Physician Assistant Director Manager State Farm Center Development, Chicago Orthopedic Physician Development

Dr. Jeremy Henrichs Barry Houser Kathy Kaler Kathleen Knight Adam Marantz John Marquardt Team Physician Conductor Assistant AD Assistant Director Director Assistant Director Athletic Bands Academic Services Development, Chicago Digital Design and Production State Farm Center

Jason Marry Maria McDevitt Derryl Myles Derek Neal Bill Nesnidal Rick Raven Associate Director Assistant Director Assistant AD Associate Director Assistant Director Equipment Manager Fighting Illini Productions Development Fighting Illini Productions Athletics Communication Development, Chicago

Stephanie Record Luke Reiff Amanda Seifert Michelle Stenger Sabrina Thiel Chris Tuttle Cheerleading Coach Learning Specialist Digital Strategist Director Director Fighting Illini Sports Properties Marketing Development

2017-18 ATHLETICS BOARD

Alumni Members Faculty Members Faculty Athletics Ex-Officio Jeanne Bauer James Anderson Representatives Members Paul Hunt Kelly Bost Christopher Span Mike Bass Ann K Perry Kathryn Clancy Matthew Wheeler Mike DeLorenzo David Williams Paul Heald Josh Whitman Michael LeRoy, chair Student Members Michael Raycraft Brianna Anderson Sue Walker Brian Walsh Lee Zerrusen Antonio Sotomayor Dana Gattone Associate Director Director Director Steven Singer State Farm Center Summer Camps and Clinics Varsity “I” Association

22 // FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL // 1,764 VICTORIES // 17 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS // 30 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES // FIVE FINAL FOURS THE COACHING STAFF UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

TIMOTHY L. KILLEEN ROBERT JONES PRESIDENT CHANCELLOR Timothy L. (Tim) Killeen took office as the Robert J. Jones became chancellor at the 20th president of the University of Illinois on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign May 18, 2015. In this role, he serves as the on September 26, 2016. Jones, who served as chief executive officer of the U of I System, president of the University at Albany, State with universities in Urbana-Champaign, University of New York (SUNY) since 2013, Chicago and Springfield, and regional is an experienced and accomplished scientist campuses in Peoria, Rockford and the Quad and research university leader. He is the first Cities. African-American scholar to serve as chancellor at Illinois. Killeen has dedicated his presidency to students, promoting academic excellence, access and A Georgia native, Jones earned a bachelor’s affordability. Enrollment grew to a record 80,000- degree in agronomy from Fort Valley State plus students last fall, and in-state freshmen will see no tuition increase this College, a master’s degree in crop physiology from the University fall for the third straight year despite a state budget impasse that reduced of Georgia, and a doctorate in crop physiology from the University university funding. Killen has been a frequent visitor to the state Capitol of Missouri, Columbia. He began his academic career as a to advocate for financial support, and has led internal streamlining faculty member at Minnesota and became an internationally respected efforts that have channeled resources toward student programs. authority on plant physiology. He is a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America. He is a champion for the critical role that public higher education plays in securing a healthy future for Illinois Jones’ tenured faculty home at Illinois is in the Department of Crop and the Midwest, and serves on the board of directors of the Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Illinois Science & Technology Coalition. He meets regularly (ACES). with corporate leaders, national funding agencies and donors to ensure support for the U of I System. Jones’ leadership of one of the SUNY system’s top research universities followed a 34-year career at the University of Minnesota, where he began Killeen also led a System-wide planning initiative that as a plant physiologist in the department of agronomy and plant genetics resulted in a Strategic Framework that will chart the U of I’s path to the and rose through a series of academic administrative appointments, serving future and optimize impact for the public good. Prior to joining the U as senior vice president for academic administration at the University of of I System, Killeen served as vice chancellor for research and president Minnesota System from 2004 to 2013. of the Research Foundation at the State University of New York. He also has served as assistant director for the geosciences at the National Science During his tenure at Albany, Jones launched that university’s largest and Foundation, and as director and senior scientist for the National Center for most strategic academic expansion in 50 years, including establishment Atmospheric Research. He spent more than 20 years as a faculty member of the nation’s first integrated College of Emergency Preparedness, and researcher at the University of Michigan. A leading researcher in Homeland Security and Cybersecurity. He created the university’s first geophysics and space sciences, Killeen was elected to the National College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, nurtured a deep academic Academy of Engineering in 2007. affiliation with historic Albany Law School, established the UAlbany’s first vice presidency for health sciences and biomedical initiatives, and He received his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. at University College has started the conversation about reinvigorating the arts and humanities. London, where he earned his doctoral degree in atomic and molecular physics. He is a U.S. citizen and a native of Wales. Throughout his distinguished career at the University of Minnesota System and on the Twin Cities campus, Jones held several progressively responsible Killeen’s wife, Roberta M. Johnson, was executive director of the positions. While senior vice president for academic administration, Jones National Earth Science Teachers Association and a clinical professor had administrative and budgetary responsibilities for public engagement in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at the initiatives central to the academic mission of the University including State University of New York at Albany. They have three children and Minnesota’s Extension Service and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment reside in Urbana. Stations. He played a leadership role in establishing a new four-year campus in Rochester and established the University’s first urban research and outreach/engagement center designed to help address challenges in an economically depressed urban community.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jones is married to Dr. Lynn Hassan Jones, a diagnostic radiologist. Together they have five children and two grandchildren. Governor Bruce Rauner James D. Montgomery, Sr. Ramón Cepeda Jill B. Smart Donald J. Edwards Trayshawn M.W. Mitchell, UIUC student Patrick J. Fitzgerald Karina Reyes, UIC student Stuart C. King Edwin Robles, UIS student Dr. Timothy N. Koritz, chair Edward L. McMillan

2017-18 ILLINOIS BASKETBALL RECORD BOOK // 23 THE COACHING STAFF RICHMOND ENDOWMENT

RICHMONDS ENDOW BASKETBALL COACH’S POSITION

The legacy of Jack Richmond abounds at his It also made him further appreciate the alma mater, the University of Illinois. University of Illinois.

The Champaign resident, retired businessman, His years at the U of I were greatly and U of I graduate and benefactor died April 17, satisfying. He was a member of Phi 2011. But his love of his university lives. One of Gamma Delta social fraternity and was the more recent gifts from the lifelong Fighting active in sports. As a freshman gymnast Illini fan and his wife, Marge, endowed the salary who earned his numerals with the of the men’s basketball head coach position. U of I team, Jack broke his sternum This $2 million gift significantly increased following a dismount from the flying their previous seven-figure commitment to the rings. No longer able to compete as a Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. gymnast, he focused his attention on weight training. At that point, weights Their generosity extends across the U-C campus. weren’t popular and were nonexistent In 2004, Mr. Richmond made a six-figure gift at the U of I. creating the Jack C. Richmond Scholarships for members of the men’s varsity gymnastics team. Still, he convinced Seward Staley, In 2003, the Richmonds made a $1.5 million director of the U of I School of Physical Above: Jack and Marge gift resulted in Richmond Family Gallery, the Education, to purchase a set of Olympic Richmond with Mr. Richmond’s first floor reception area in the Alice Campbell weights. A small but dedicated weight mother, Mildred. Alumni Center. The Richmonds also provided a lifting team was formed, and the sport $2 million gift to the College of Communications spread to first to the intramural level Right: Jack Richmond, 1940. in 1998 that created the Richmond Journalism and then was adopted by the physical Teaching Studio, a broadcast facility for education department as a P.E. course. journalism students in Campbell Hall for Public He had dabbled in the market since 1955, but Telecommunication. The Richmond Studio and Today, the benefits of weight training by the early 1970s he had the time and resources the Richmond Family Gallery honor Jack and are widely recognized and top-notch equipment to become more active in the stock market. Marge as well as the memory of Jack’s parents, is available across campus. He enjoyed success in this realm as well, and Arthur Dean and Mildred Hummel Richmond. Those muscles paid off for Jack, who was a was more than willing to share. A donor since “The Richmond Family Endowed Men’s Head railroad worker, wrecking crew member, meat 1965, his generosity to the U of I increased Basketball Coach” is another example of the truck driver, corn detassler, lifeguard, bouncer significantly over the years. Jack and his mother generations-long benevolence of the Richmond and even a model for the U of I art school to pay became members of the Presidents Council in family. Jack’s ancestors helped settle Champaign for his education. He graduated in 1943 with a 1976 and Marge became a member in 1990. County, and his parents contributed to the U bachelor’s degree in agriculture. Always interested in athletics at the U of I, Jack of I for the construction of Memorial Stadium. and Mildred Richmond had made a $1 million Seven-year-old Jack was on hand for the He followed up his four years of ROTC at the commitment to the Athletic Department in dedication of Memorial Stadium on Oct. 18, U of I with a tour in the Army. Then he put 1981. He became an honorary member of the I 1924, a day forever highlighted by Red Grange’s his degree to work when he joined the U.S. Man’s Association and had been a member and five touchdowns during an Illinois romp over Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation former president of the Illini Quarterback Club top-ranked Michigan. Jack Richmond was Service as a county farm planner, opening since 1955. He also joined the Rebounders Club hooked on Fighting Illini sports for the rest of district offices in Macon County and Clark shortly after former head coach Lou Henson his life. County. founded it and had been a life member of the But before he could attend the U of I, he learned Later, Mr. Richmond was recruited by a former Fighting Illini Scholarship Fund. a few lessons in life. The Richmonds were member of the U of I gymnastics team as a The Richmond name will be forever associated devastated by the Great Depression, losing their salesman for Marchant Calculators. His capacity with athletics at the U of I through the significant holdings of farmland and other assets. to sell was exceptional, and he soon had clients endowment of the men’s basketball head coach The dramatic change in lifestyle had a profound from area grain elevator operators to the U position. For lifelong Fighting Illini fan Jack effect on young Jack. of I. He remained with Marchant, which was acquired by Smith Corona and became known Richmond, that always seemed most appropriate. as SCM Corp., until 1972. Then he was ready to embark on a new course — the stock market.

24 // FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL // 1,764 VICTORIES // 17 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS // 30 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES // FIVE FINAL FOURS