2016-17 INFORMATION GUIDE and RECORD BOOK
CUBuffs.com • 303-49-BUFFS CUBuffsWBB #GoBuffs
Table of Contents
Schedule ...... 2 Opponents Media Information ...... 3-4 2016-17 CU Opponents...... 82-90 All-Time Opponent History ...... 91-100 Staff Head Coach JR Payne ...... 6-9 Records Associate Head Coach Toriano Towns...... 10 Colorado/Opponent Records...... 102-110 Assistant Coach Jeff Cammon...... 11 Career/Season Charts...... 111-117 Assistant Coach Shandrika Lee ...... 12 Miscellaneous Records ...... 118-131 Director of Operations Jill Mahoney ...... 13 History Director of Player Development Alex Earl ...13 Letterwinners/1,000 Point Scorers ....133-142 Basketball Support Staff ...... 14-16 State-by-State/Jerseys/Omni Classic ...143-148 University Administration ...... 17-21 All-Time Coaches...... 149 University of Colorado ...... 22 All-Time Results/Statistics...... 150-189 Pac-12 Conference ...... 23-24 Rankings...... 190-195 Players In The Spotlight ...... 196-197 2016-17 Rosters ...... 26 Honor Roll ...... 198-201 2016-17 Radio/TV Roster ...... 27 Buffs In The Pros ...... 202-203 2016-17 Colorado Buffaloes ...... 28-58 NCAA History...... 204-211 Conference History ...... 212-216 2015-16 In Review Coors Events Center...... 217-218 Scoreboard/Season Statistics...... 60-64 CU Basketball Milestones...... 219-222 Box Scores ...... 65-76 Where Are They Now?...... 223 Pac-12 Honors/Statistics ...... 77-80 Athletic Hall of Fame ...... 224
Buff Bits
BUFFS AT A GLANCE SPORTS INFORMATION TEAM INFORMATION Location: Boulder, Colo. (102,500) Assistant Director/Women’s BB Contact: 2015-16 Record: 7-23 Founded: 1876 Andy Schlichting 2016 Conference Record: 2-16 Enrollment: 32,220 Office Phone: 303-492-2320 2016 Conference Finish: 12th Colors: Silver, Gold and Black Cell Phone: 303-362-3219 Postseason: N/A Nickname: Buffaloes (Buffs) Final AP Poll Ranking: N/A Email: [email protected] Mascots: Ralphie V (live), Chip (costumed) Final USA Today/WBCA Ranking: N/A Office Fax: 303-492-3811 Home Arena (Capacity): Coors Events Center (11,064) Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/1 Associate AD/Sports Information: David Plati Elevation: 5,435 feet above sea level Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 NCAA Affiliation: Division I Plati Email: [email protected] Newcomers: 2 Conference: Pac-12 (Joined July 1, 2011) Associate Director: Jason Clay President : Bruce Benson Clay Email: [email protected] HISTORY First Season: 1975 Chancellor: Phil DiStefano Assistant Director/Secondary WBB: Troy Andre All-Time Record: 756-512 Athletic Director: Rick George Andre Email: [email protected] NCAA Appearances: 13 (1988-89, 1992-97, Senior Woman Administrator: Ceal Barry Assistant Director: Linda Sprouse 2001-04, 2013) COACHING STAFF Sprouse Email: [email protected] NCAA Record: 17-13 (.567) Head Coach: JR Payne Assistant Director: TBA Best NCAA Finish: Elite Eight (1993, 1995, 2002) Alma Mater (Year): St. Mary’s, Calif. (1999) Email: TBA Record at Colorado (Years): 0-0 (First) Mailing Address: 357 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0357 MEDIA SERVICES Sports Information Office Phone: 303-492-5626 Overall Record (Years): 101-113 (7) Overnight: Champions Center (Fifth Floor), Sports Information Office Fax: 303-492-3811 Associate Head Coach (Years): Toriano Towns (First) 2150 Stadium Drive, University of Colorado, Alma Mater (Year): St. Mary’s, Calif. (1998) Coors Events Center Press Row: 303-492-1552/4381 Boulder, CO 80309 Assistant Coach (Years): Jeff Cammon (First) CEC Media Work Room: 303-492-0710-0715 Alma Mater (Year): Alcorn State (2003/2005) CEC Media Work Room Fax: 303-492-0712 Assistant Coach (Years): Shandrika Lee (First) CU Athletic Ticket Office: 303-49-BUFFS (492-8337) Alma Mater (Year): Pepperdine (2004)/ Cal Poly (2008) Credits: The 2016-17 University of Colorado Women’s Basketball Information Guide was produced Director of Player Development (Years): through the combined efforts of the Sports Information Office and Whirlwind Graphics. The guide was Alex Earl (First) written, designed and edited by Ashley Braun and Andy Schlichting, assistant sports information direc- Alma Mater (Year): Arizona State (2013) tors. Cover design and overall typesetting and layout was provided by Linda Hall of Whirlwind Graphics. Basketball Administrative Assistant: Rosi Hauber The following photographers’ work was used in the Information Guide: Chip Bromfield, ProMotion, Basketball Email: [email protected] Ltd., Juan Diez, ProMotion, Ltd., Casey A. Cass, Glenn Asakawa, Joel Broida, Tony Harman, Larry Basketball Office Phone: 303-492-6086 Harwood, Brian Lewis, Dan Madden, Scott Quintard, Scott Arnold, Rupert Barrington, Dee Welsch, Athletic Trainer: Taka Sakamoto Widgic Studio and the AP. CEC Athletic Training Room: 303-492-2970 The University of Colorado at Boulder is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Manager of Equipment, Olympic Sports: Copyright 2015, The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate, for the use and benefit Nicholas Sprouse of the Athletic Department. No material in this publication may be reproduced for publication CEC Equipment Office: 303-492-3795 (including rosters) without the consent of the athletic department’s sports information director. Daily newspapers, radio and TV are excluded from the above.
1 2016-17schedule SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME (MST) TV Saturday, Oct. 29 METRO STATE (Closed Scrimmage) BOULDER Saturday, Nov. 5 DENVER (Closed Scrimmage) BOULDER
Friday, Nov. 11 at Northern Colorado Greeley, Colo. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 AIR FORCE BOULDER 2 p.m. Pac-12 Plus Saturday, Nov. 19 KENTUCKY BOULDER TBA Pac-12 Plus Tuesday, Nov. 22 at North Dakota State Fargo, N.D. 4 p.m.
Nov. 25-26 &-30th ANNUAL OMNI HOTELS CLASSIC Friday, Nov. 25 &-Boston College vs. SMU BOULDER 5 p.m. &-ST. FRANCIS (N.Y.) BOULDER 7:30 p.m. Pac-12 Plus Saturday, Nov. 26 &-Consolation BOULDER 5 p.m. &-Championship BOULDER 7:30 p.m. Pac-12 Plus
Wednesday, Nov. 30 SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA BOULDER 12 p.m. Pac-12 Plus Saturday, Dec. 3 IDAHO STATE BOULDER 6 p.m. Pac-12 Plus Thursday, Dec. 8 COLORADO STATE BOULDER 7 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Saturday, Dec. 17 at Mississippi Valley State Itta Bena, Miss. 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 WYOMING BOULDER 7 p.m. Pac-12 Plus Friday, Dec. 30 *at Southern California Los Angeles, Calif. 7 p.m. Pac-12 Plus Sunday, Jan. 1 *at UCLA Los Angeles, Calif. 3 p.m. Pac-12 Plus Friday, Jan. 6 *ARIZONA BOULDER 7 p.m. Pac-12 Plus Sunday, Jan. 8 *ARIZONA STATE BOULDER 4 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Friday, Jan. 13 *CALIFORNIA BOULDER 7 p.m. Pac-12 Plus Sunday, Jan. 15 *STANFORD BOULDER 2 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Friday, Jan. 20 *at Oregon Eugene, Ore. 7 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Sunday, Jan. 22 *at Oregon State Corvallis, Ore. 4 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Wednesday, Jan. 25 *UTAH BOULDER 7 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Saturday, Jan. 28 *at Utah Salt Lake City, Utah 12:30 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Friday, Feb. 3 *WASHINGTON STATE BOULDER 6 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Sunday, Feb. 5 *WASHINGTON BOULDER 12 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Friday, Feb. 10 *at Stanford Stanford, Calif. 9 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Sunday, Feb. 12 *at California Berkeley, Calif. 4 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Friday, Feb. 17 *OREGON STATE BOULDER 8 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Sunday, Feb. 19 *OREGON BOULDER 12 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Thursday, Feb. 23 *at Washington Seattle, Wash. 9 p.m. Pac-12 Networks Saturday, Feb. 25 *at Washington State Pullman, Wash. 2 p.m. Pac-12 Plus
March 2-5 Pac-12 Tournament Seattle, Wash. March 18 – April 2 NCAA Tournament
All Home Games In BOLD CAPS * - Pac-12 game & - Omni Hotels Classic, Boulder
Dates are subject to change, times announced at a later date
2 media information
Colorado’s Sports Information Department: The University of Colorado’s Sports Information Department welcomes and encourages your interest in Colorado Basketball. We will make every effort to service your needs in covering the Buffs. The Sports Information Office maintains information on all current student-athletes and athletic depart- Sports Information ment staff, as well as historical data on former athletes and Colorado’s athletic department in general. The Sports 303-492-5626 Fax 303-492-3811 Information Office is located on the Fifth Floor of the Champions Center. Media Credentials: Credentials for University of Colorado home women’s basketball games can be obtained by emailing, writing or calling the CU Sports Information Office the week prior to the scheduled game. Credentials will Dave Plati be left at the street level entrance to the practice facility off Regent Drive. Associate Athletic Director/ Road Game Credentials: Media credentials for Colorado road games can either be requested through CU’s or the opponent’s women’s basketball media relations contact. Please be specific when requesting the type of credential Sports Information needed. Football, Men’s Golf, Photographers: Photo passes are available for working photographers for officially recognized media outlets, and/or Skiing Contact individuals on special assignment. Requests should be addressed in the same manner as media credentials. Home: 303-494-0445 Visiting Radio Personnel: Visiting radio personnel desiring to broadcast athletic events from the University of [email protected] Colorado should contact the Sports Information Office at the earliest possible date to request permission to broad- cast. Phone and ISDN lines are available for the opponent radio station next to the opponent bench for all home games. Andy Schlichting Media Workroom: A media workroom, located just off the playing floor, through the tunnel and to the right, will be available for use by media before and after games. Assistant SID Media Services: Game notes containing updated team and individual statistics, information on upcoming games, Women’s Basketball, Soccer Pac- 12 Conference standings, and the latest AP and WBCA polls will be available one day prior to each non-tour- Contact nament game throughout the season. Game notes, media guides and roster information, as well as opponent mate- Cell: 303-362-3219 rials can be picked up before every game in the media workroom in the Coors Events Center. Copies of the box score and play-by-play information, as well as postgame quotes, can be emailed to your outlet at the conclusion of each [email protected] game, home or away. Photography and Video Services: High-quality photography is available through the Sports Information Office. To Troy Andre request photographs of current CU players and staff, please contact the CU Sports Information Office. Please spec- ify four-color or grayscale, as well as desired resolution and format. For video highlight clips, contact the Pac-12 Conference. Assistant SID Telephone-Fax: Media desiring a phone line for their own use should contact Campus Telecommunications (303- Men’s Basketball Contact, 492-5194) to have a line installed. All other phones are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A fax machine Internet Managing Editor is available, also on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may reach an outside line by dialing “8”. Cell: 303-903-3654 Press Row Services: Working media will be provided with full play-by-play and box score statistics at halftime and [email protected] following the game, along with coach and player quotes following the game. Beverages are available in the media workroom. Postgame Interview Policies: After a short cooling off period, Colorado head coach JR Payne and selected players Linda Sprouse will be available to the media. All requests for player or coach interviews from either home or visiting teams should be directed to a CU sports information staff member. The Colorado and opponent lockerrooms are closed to the Assistant SID media. Volleyball, Men’s and No-Smoking Policy: The University of Colorado is a smoke free campus. Women’s Cross Country, Coors Events Center: Located on Regent Drive, the first left off Colorado Avenue coming from U.S. 36. Lacrosse Contact Cell: 612-701-0054 Interview Policies [email protected] 1. Media representatives desiring access to players, coaches and facilities must obtain the consent of the Colorado Sports Information Office and assistant director Andy Schlichting. 2. All practices are open to the local media, as well as to any member of a national media outlet who is not Jason Clay connected with a future opponent on the team schedule. Visiting media must receive authorization to attend practice through the Sports Information Office, which will in turn seek approval from the Head Coach. Live Associate SID television shots must be approved by the Sports Information Office and JR Payne in advance. Football, Skiing Contact 3. Talking is not permitted on the floor and court area of the Coors Events Center while practice is in session unless Cell: 303-519-6549 it is to request a player or coach for an interview through Andy Schlichting. [email protected] 4. Basketball players may be interviewed following practice during both the fall and spring semesters. CU players are not to be interviewed prior to any practice unless approved 24 hours in advance by Andy Schlichting, and this exception is rare. All interviews on game days, prior to tipoff, are at the discretion of JR Payne. 5. The lockerroom is closed to the media at all times. TBA 6. The training room, equipment room, and weight room are off-limits at all times to the media. The only excep- tion to this rule is if a special feature involving one of the areas is requested, and approval must be sought in Assistant SID advance from the Sports Information Office and the appropriate department head. Women’s Golf, Tennis, 7. Any requests for athletes and coaches on off days will be handled on an individual basis through the Sports Men’s and Women’s Track & Information Office. Field Contact 8. Road practices are open only to members of the media that cover CU on a regular basis, as well as any Cell: members of the national media. JR Payne is available for interviews with opponent media based on her [email protected] personal discretion. 9. It is the request of the University of Colorado women’s basketball program that players are not to be called at home, unless permission has been granted by the player herself or through Andy Schlichting. Though most phone numbers are available through campus information, players are asked to decline interviews when they have been reached at home when that interview has not been approved.
3 cu media outlets
NEWSPAPERS KCKK (MILE HIGH SPORTS RADIO; 1510AM/93.7FM) BOULDER DAILY CAMERA 1423 Larimer Street, Ste. 020, Denver, CO 80202 5450 Western Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301 (P.O. Box 4579, 80306 (303/297-1510; 303/524-3410 Fax; (303/473-1313; 303/473-1517 Fax; last name, first [email protected]) [email protected]) James Merilatt, Doug Ottewill, Gil Whiteley, Irv Chris Schmaedeke (SE), Brian Howell (B), Pat Rooney (C), Mike Sandrock Brown, Joe Williams, Karl Allis, Renaud Notaro, COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE Eric Goodman, Mark Kiszla, Mark McIntosh, Jimmy P.O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 (800/800-4899; 719/636-0163; Doogan, Joe Rico, Marcello Romano [email protected]) KXDP (THE TICKET, 102.3 FM) Jim O’Connell (ESE), Woody Paige (C), Dave Ramsey (C), Jake Schaller, Front Range Sports Network, 10200 E. Girard Frank Schwab, Brian Gomez Ave., Bldg B-150, Denver, CO 80231 DENVER POST (720/248-4000; [email protected]) 101 W. Colfax Ave. #600, Denver, CO 80202 (303/954-1294; 303/866-9004 Tom Manoogian (PD), Tim Spence (SD), Charles Cory Lopez Fax; [email protected]) Johnson, Les Shapiro, Rich Goins, JoJo Turnbeaugh, Play-by-Play Scott Monserud (SE), John Moore (ASE), Torin Berge, John Meyer (B), Mark Chad Andrus, Patrick Watkins, Tony Desiere, Nate Kiszla (C), Terry Frei (C), Chris Dempsey, Irv Moss, Adrian Dater, Anthony Kreckman (www.denverssportsstation.com) Cotton KVCU (1190 AM) FORT COLLINS COLORADOAN 207 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO P.O. Box 1577, Fort Collins, CO 80522 (970/224-7750; 970/224-7899 Fax; 80309 (303/492-5031; 303/492-1369 Fax) [email protected]) KRFX (103.5 FM) Miles Blumhardt (SE), Kelly Lyell 4695 S. Monaco Street, Denver, CO 80237 GREELEY TRIBUNE (303/713-8000; 303/713-8509 Fax) P.O. Box 1138, Greeley, CO 80631 (970/352-0211; 970/356-5780 Fax; Rick Lewis, Michael Floorwax [email protected]) Bobby Fernandez (SE) TELEVISION LONGMONT TIMES-CALL KDVR-TV (31) / KWGN-TV (2) 350 Terry Street, Longmont, CO 80501 (303/776-2244; 303/678-8615 Fax; 100 E. Speer Blvd., Denver, CO 80203 (303/566- 7717; 303/566-2908 Fax; [email protected]) Carol Callan [email protected]) Color Commentary Staffed by Boulder Daily Camera Nick Griffith (SD), Kami Carmann, Bruce Haertl LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD KCNC-TV (4) P.O. Box 59, Loveland, CO 80537 (970/669-5050; 970/667-1111 Fax; 1044 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203 (303/830-6321; 303/894-6040 Fax; [email protected]) [email protected]) Mike Brohard (SE), Jon Pilsner, Kyle Koso, Jeremy Kempter Steve Cox (ESP), Eric Christensen (SP), Mark Haas, Michael Spencer PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN KOAA-TV (5) 825 W. 6th Street, Pueblo, CO 81001 (719/544-3520; 719/544-5897 Fax; 2200 Seventh Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81002 (719/544-5781) [email protected]) Jordan Mason Judy Hildner (SE), Dave Socier (C), Joe Cervi, Jeff Letofsky KMGH-TV (7) CU INDEPDENDENT 123 Speer Blvd., Denver, CO 80203 (303/832-0169; 303/832-0119 Fax; 478 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 (303/492-4557) [email protected]) Lionel Bienvenu (SD) WIRE SERVICE KUSA-TV (9) ASSOCIATED PRESS 500 Speer Blvd., Denver, CO 80203 (303/871-1490; 303/698-4700 Fax; 1444 Wazee Street #130, Denver, CO 80202 (303/825-0123; 303/892-5927 [email protected]) Fax; [email protected]; [email protected]) Brian Olson, David Hunt (ESP), Drew Soicher, Rod Mackey, Aaron Matas Arnie Stapleton (SE), Pat Graham, Dale Bublitz, Monica Costello, Ed KKTV (11) Andrieski (Photo Ed.) 3100 N. Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 (719/634-2844; [email protected]) MAGAZINE Jesse Kurtz (SD), Sam Farnsworth MILE HIGH SPORTS KRDO-TV (13) 1424 Larimer Street, Ste. 100, Denver, CO 80202 (303/650-1795; 399 S. Eighth Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 (719/575-6360; [email protected]) 719/475-0815 Fax; [email protected]) Doug Ottewill (E), Jim Merilatt, Brian Dvorak, Vanessa Hughes, Ken Reed, Rob Namnoum (SD), Jenny Siegel ROOT SPORTS NETWORK 2399 Blake Street #130, Denver, CO 80205 (720/898-2700; 720/898-2775 RADIO Fax; [email protected]) KOA (850 AM) Ken Miller (ESP); Drew Goodman, Jeff Huson, Jenny Cavnar, Marc Stout 4695 S. Monaco Street, Denver, CO 80237 (303/713-8685; 303/713-8509 ALTITUDE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT Fax; [email protected]) 11203 E. Peakview Ave., Centennial, CO 80111 (303/708-8155; Cory Lopez (PBP), Carol Callan (CC), Mark Johnson (SD), Larry Zimmer, Dave [email protected]) Logan, Dave Krieger (C), Jack Corrigan, Jerry Schemmel, Alan Roach, Mike Lou Personett, Blake Olson, Scott Hastings, Bill Hanzlik, Jason Kosmicki, Rice, Andy Lindahl (P), Reid Fischer (P). Note: Basketball games air on Mike Haynes, Julie Browman, Kyle Keefe, Vic Lombardi (Programming: Shelly sister stations KKZN (760), KVCU (1190). Harper, Doug Ballmer, Jessica Dick, Brooke Johnson) KKFN (THE FAN, 104.3 FM) (KEY: B—Beat Reporter/Writer; C—Columnist: E—Executive (+SD/SP); 7800 E. Orchard Rd. #400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 (303/321-0950; SD—Sports Director; SE—Sports Editor; SP—Sports Producer) [email protected]) Nate Lundy (SD), Brandon Krisztal (P), Sandy Clough, Mike Evans, Drew Goodman, Scott Hastings, Alfred Williams, Darren McKee, Chad Brown
4
First Head Coach JR Payne Season
JR Payne enters her first and earned SUU’s first-ever invitation to postseason play, season as head coach at the the women’s NIT. University of Colorado. She was named the eighth head Southern Utah won its first round game at Colorado State, women’s basketball coach in 71-56, before succumbing in the second round – 79-68 at program history on March 28, Colorado; the Buffs also defeated Payne’s T-Birds during the 2016. regular season in Boulder, 75-59, the second time she coached a game in CU’s Coors Events Center; SUU also lost Payne, 38, joined Colorado a game in Boulder in her first season as its coach. after leading Santa Clara to its first winning record in That SUU team set four major school records, including eight years. Santa Clara was points scored (2,454), field goals made (830) and free 23-9 this past winter, tying throws made (629) and attempted (839); the 74.1 scoring for third in the West Coast Conference with a 13-5 league average was the second-best by a Southern Utah team. Her mark. The Broncos’ season ended with a 59-53 loss at Fresno top performer, Hailey Mandelko earned first-team All-Big State in the first round of the Women’s NIT, the school’s Sky honors as a junior and senior and was also on the first postseason appearance in 10 seasons. SCU was down by postseason All-Tournament team her final year there. 11 at one point but rallied to tie the game at 52-all with just under four minutes to go before falling to the Bulldogs. She helped Southern Utah transition from the Summit League into the Big Sky Conference for the 2012-13 season, One of the wins included a 61-58 victory at No. 13 Stanford, Santa Clara’s first win at its Bay Area rival in 32 years; it was the second win on what would become a 12-game winning streak. It was just one of seven regular season setbacks for the Cardinal, who advanced to the Elite Eight. The Broncos defeated Gonzaga, 59-58, in the quarterfinal round of the WCC tourney before falling in the semifinals to BYU, an eventual No. 7 seed in the NCAA tournament.
The Broncos were one of the nation’s top defensive teams, allowing opponents just 37 percent shooting (40th in the NCAA) and 58.4 points per game (54th), while forcing 21.7 turnovers (sixth) and averaging 12.6 steals (third); Santa Clara was also 29th in rebound margin (+7.2).
In two seasons at Santa Clara, she compiled a 34-27 overall record. Her first team upset Louisiana State, 69-67, the school’s first win over a Southeastern Conference school in 18 years, and advanced to the second round of the WCC tournament.
Her first head coaching position was at Southern Utah University (Cedar City), where in five seasons, the Thunderbirds posted a 67-86 record, including a 23- 10 mark in 2013-14 that set a school record for wins. That team was also 15-5 in league play, earning a share of the Big Sky Conference’s regular season title,
6 Payne’s List Position Noteworthy Head Coach, Santa Clara (2014-2016) 1 WNIT, 34-27 record Head Coach, Southern Utah (2009-14) 1 WNIT, 1 Big Sky championship, 23-10 record in final season Assistant Coach, Santa Clara (2008-09) Assisted Jennifer Mountain Assistant Coach, Boise State (2005-08) Assisted Gordy Presnell, 1 NCAA, 1 WNIT, 2 WAC championships Assistant Coach, Gonzaga (2000-05) Assisted current Oregon head coach Kelly Graves, 2 WNIT, 1 WCC championship Playing Career: St. Mary’s, 1995-99 Honors: All-WCC: 1999 WCC All-Tournament: 1998, 1999 Still ranks 7th at SMC in career assists (291) and 9th in steals (137) piloting the Thunderbirds to a 15-16 overall record and a 9-11 mark in league play.
Her second SUU team in 2010-11 finished with a 16-14 record, the school’s first winning season in seven years, and more than doubling the win count in her first season when the Thunderbirds were 7-23 (SUU had just 24 wins in the three seasons before her arrival). The senior-led Thunderbirds were 10-8 in Summit League play, with forward Challis Pascucci earning first-team All-League honors. Her third SUU team was 6-23, but reflected her most youthful squad in her coaching career, with no seniors and just two juniors, but formed the nucleus for the T-Birds success two years later.
Payne determined that coaching was going to be her career path after graduating from St. Mary’s (Calif.) in 1999 with a degree in French. Her first position was as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Gonzaga under one of her college head coaches, Kelly Graves, where she would spend five seasons (2000-01 through 2004-05). Gonzaga went from 5-23 in her first season there to a 28-4 mark in her last, which included a 14-0 mark in the WCC. During her time there, she helped recruit Gonzaga’s first All-American, guard Shannon Mathews as well as help the Bulldogs to their first postseason appearance in 10 years with back-to-back invites to the NIT.
7 JR Payne Year-By-Year Coaching Record Overall Conference Season School WLPct. PPG Opp WLPct. PPG Opp Finish/Conf. 2009-10 Southern Utah ...... 7 23 .233 55.5 70.2 5 13 .278 57.3 69.6 8th / Summit League 2010-11 Southern Utah ...... 16 14 .533 68.0 71.8 10 8 .556 69.5 72.7 5th / Summit League 2011-12 Southern Utah ...... 6 23 .207 58.4 70.6 2 16 .111 57.3 70.3 10th / Summit League 2012-13 Southern Utah ...... 15 16 .484 69.7 68.1 9 11 .450 69.2 69.2 7th / Big Sky 2013-14 Southern Utah ...... 23 10 .697 74.4 67.4 15 5 .750 75.0 66.1 t-1st / Big Sky 2014-15 Santa Clara...... 11 18 .379 64.9 69.3 5 13 .278 64.3 69.8 7th / West Coast 2015-16 Santa Clara...... 23 9 .731 65.5 58.4 13 5 .722 65.3 57.9 t-3rd / West Coast Career Totals...... 101 113 .472 ...... 59 71 .453 ......
She then moved on to Boise State under new head coach junior and senior, when St. Mary’s won both postseason Gordy Presnell for the three seasons (2005-06 through tournaments. She played under two coaches in her time 2007-08); Presnell had replaced a former CU letterwinner, there, Terri Rubenstein for two seasons and Kelly Graves, Jen Warden. Together they turned around the fortunes of now the head coach at Oregon for her last two, with the the Broncos, leading them to a pair of postseason berths, Gaels posting a 79-38 record with her as a player. one being the school’s first NCAA tournament appearance in 13 seasons in 2007. BSU was 15-15 in her first season, but The Story Behind Her First Name: “JR” is nowhere close to then posted 24-9 and 24-8 records in winning two Western her real name; her birth name is Ali-Marie. “When I was two, Athletic Conference titles. I was always fighting with my older brother. My Dad used to watch Dallas and J.R. Ewing was a tough guy, so he started Payne would then go on to serve as the top assistant coach calling me J.R. It’s just stuck through the years though at Santa Clara for the 2008-09 season under Jennifer you’ll find I’m not anywhere as mean as the character on Mountain. That team had its struggles in going 4-27, and television.” She doesn’t use periods, however, and goes by she would eventually replace Mountain as the Broncos’ head “JR.” coach six years later.
Overall in 16 years as an assistant and head coach, she has been a part of four conference championships and six postseason appearances. She has helped coach two All- Americans, three conference players of the year, 34 All-Conference players and 31 All-Academic team members.
She was born in Jackson, Tenn., but her family moved to North Vancouver, B.C., when she was a toddler. She graduated from North Vancouver’s Windsor Secondary School where she started in basketball, earning a scholarship to St. Mary’s (Calif.).
Payne earned four letters at St. Mary’s, helping the Gaels to a 26-7 record and their first-ever trip in school history to the NCAA tournament as a senior in 1998-99. The former point guard led the team in assists that season with 131, and still ranks on the school’s all-time top 10 lists for both assists (291, seventh) and steals (137, ninth). She was an All-West Coast Conference first-team performer as a senior and was selected to the WCC All-Tournament Team as a
8 What Others Are Saying / Have Said About JR Payne Gordy Presnell – Boise State Head Coach “I am excited for Colorado and JR. Everywhere she has gone gets better, so Colorado got better today. JR is a tremendous coach, I am really excited for her and what she will accomplish at Colorado. Success absolutely follows her wherever she goes and her student-athletes will love playing for her.”
Kelly Graves – Oregon Head Coach “I’m very excited for JR to join the Pac-12. She was a great player for me at Saint Mary’s, always a leader on the floor. As an assistant coach, JR was instrumental in recruiting the players that helped turn Gonzaga into a national program. She’s had great success as a head coach and I’m confident she will be able to do the same at Colorado.”
*Challis Pascucci, Southern Utah (former player) “Coach JR and her coaching staff are the most dedicated and devoted coaches that I have ever played for. They have passion for the game, and the drive to be better. JR is an outstanding balance of being competitive and caring. She will positively push you to your limits to be successful, as a team and individually. Coach JR not only developed me as player but as a person. Now that I am a part of the professional world, I have been able to implement the drive for success, and the strong work ethic. JR has made such an impact on my life and I will always look up to her.”
*Tasha Harris, Boise State (former player, 2008 WAC Scoring Champion) “She has been a role model for me since the day I met her. She has been a huge part of who I am today and I can never repay her for that. But as far as JR as a person and a coach, JR cares not only about the success of the team as a whole but for the players first and foremost. She strives to better the individual for the purpose of team success but individual development as well.”
*—archived quotes from past publications.
Payne Against Opponents WL WL WL Air Force...... 2 0 New Mexico State...... 1 1 Santa Clara ...... 1 1 Arizona Christian ...... 1 0 New Orleans ...... 1 0 Simpson ...... 1 0 Boise State ...... 1 1 Nicholls ...... 0 1 South Dakota ...... 0 2 BYU ...... 0 7 North Dakota...... 3 2 South Dakota State ...... 1 5 Cal Poly ...... 1 1 North Dakota State...... 2 4 Southern California ...... 0 1 Centenary ...... 4 0 Northern Arizona ...... 1 3 Southern Oregon...... 1 0 Colorado ...... 0 3 Northern Colorado ...... 4 1 Stanford ...... 1 1 Colorado State...... 1 0 Oakland...... 1 6 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi .1 0 Eastern Washington...... 1 3 Ohio ...... 1 0 Texas Tech ...... 1 1 Evansville ...... 1 0 Ohio State ...... 0 1 UC Davis...... 1 0 Fresno State...... 0 1 Oral Roberts ...... 1 6 UC Riverside...... 0 1 Georgia Tech ...... 0 1 Oregon ...... 0 1 UC Santa Barbara ...... 3 0 Gonzaga ...... 2 4 Oregon State ...... 1 1 UMKC ...... 0 6 Hope International...... 1 0 Pacific...... 3 3 UNLV...... 0 2 Houston Baptist ...... 1 1 Pepperdine...... 4 0 Utah ...... 0 2 Idaho State...... 1 4 Portland ...... 5 0 Utah State ...... 0 2 IPFW...... 2 4 Portland State ...... 4 0 Utah Valley ...... 8 1 IUPUI ...... 4 2 Sacramento State...... 4 1 Washington...... 0 1 LIU Brooklyn...... 1 0 Saint Mary's ...... 1 3 Weber State ...... 5 1 Loyola Marymount...... 2 2 San Diego ...... 1 4 Western Illinois ...... 2 4 LSU...... 1 0 San Francisco ...... 3 1 Westminster ...... 2 0 Montana ...... 1 4 San Francisco State ...... 1 0 TOTALS...... 101 113 Montana State...... 2 4 San Jose State...... 1 1
9 First Associate Head Coach Toriano Towns Season
Toriano Towns begins his first season as Associate Head Coach Towns’ Chart with the University of Colorado women’s basketball program. Coaching Career: Associate Head Coach, Santa Clara (2014-16) Towns, husband to head coach JR 1 WNIT, 34-27 record Payne, was an associate head Associate Head Coach, Southern Utah (2009-14) coach on Payne’s staff at Santa Clara from 2014-16 before joining 1 WNIT, 1 Big Sky championship the Buffaloes. Assistant Coach, Boise State (2005-09) 1 NCAA, 1 WNIT, 2 WAC championships During his time with the Broncos, he served as the team’s defensive Assistant Coach, Arizona (2004-05) coordinator and also worked with the post players where he 1 NCAA helped transform Santa Clara into one of the country’s top Assistant Coach, Gonzaga (2001-04) defensive teams. In 2015-16, the Broncos held opponents to 37 1 WNIT percent shooting, which ranked 40th in the NCAA, forced more than 20 turnovers per game (sixth), averaged 12. 6 steals (third) and allowed just 58.4 points per contest (54th). Towns’ coaching career began at Gonzaga University where he served as an assistant for three seasons. At Gonzaga, Towns Ahead of his time in Northern California, Towns spent five was responsible for post player development, where he coached seasons as associate head coach with Southern Utah. Towns five All-West Coast Conference performers along with holding was the team’s recruiting and defensive coordinator, assisted responsibility for scouting and game preparation. He also served with the planning of practice sessions, conditioning, scouting, as the co-recruiting coordinator for the Bulldogs. During his and also worked with the Thunderbird post players. time at Gonzaga, he helped orchestrate the second-best turnaround in WCC history as the Bulldogs went from eighth in In his first four seasons with the Thunderbirds, Towns helped 2002-03 to second place in 2003-04, posting an 18-12 overall forward Challis Pascucci develop into one of the premiere low record. That team advanced to its second-ever Women’s post players in the Summit League. After the 2009-10 season National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). Pascucci earned All-Summit League second team honors after leading the conference in rebounding and tied for the lead in Towns earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from blocked shots. She also set the SUU single-season record for Saint Mary’s College in 1998 and his Master’s Degree in total rebounds with 291 and her 46 blocks were the fifth most Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. in SUU single-season history. Pascucci earned a spot on the All- Summit League first team after finishing third in the conference in scoring (17.7 PPG), second in rebounding (9.7 RPG) and sixth in blocks (23). Pascucci finished the 2011 season as the Thunderbirds all-time leader in career rebounds (929) and fourth in scoring (1,328).
Towns joined SUU after coaching four years at Boise State University as the Broncos defensive coordinator. During his time at BSU, the Broncos claimed two straight Western Athletic Conference championships, earned a trip to the NCAA tournament, advanced to the second round of the WNIT tournament, had a pair of First Team All-WAC guards and set numerous offensive and defensive school records.
Prior to Boise State, Towns spent one season as an assistant coach at the University of Arizona, helping the Wildcats record a 20-win season and a post a first round NCAA Tournament victory against the University of Oklahoma. Towns played a key role in recruiting and scouting at Arizona. He worked with the Wildcat post players, assisting with the development of Shawntinice Polk who became one of the country’s most decorated post players being named to the Kodak/WBCA All- American team, first-team All-Pac-10 team, and Kodak/WBCA all-Region 8 team.
10 First Assistant Coach Jeff Cammon Season
Jeff Cammon is in his first season as an assistant coach with the Cammon’s Chart University of Colorado women’s basketball team. Coaching Career: Assistant Coach, California (2014-16) Cammon is familiar with the Pac- 1 NCAA 12 Conference landscape as he Assistant Coach, Long Beach State (2009-14) arrived in Boulder after spending the previous two seasons (2014- 1 WNIT 16) with the California Bears. Head Coach, Bishop Alemany H.S. (2007-09) Men’s Assistant Coach, Kentucky Wesleyan (2006-07) While at Cal, Cammon was Men’s Assistant Coach, Chaffey Community College instrumental in leading the Bears to the 2014-15 Pac-12 Conference Championship game and also helped guide them to (2005-06) the second round of the NCAA Tournament in that same season. Graduate Assistant Men’s Coach, Alcorn State (2004-05) During Cammon’s tenure in Berkeley, Cal posted a 40-27 record. Assistant Boys’ Coach, Diamond Ranch H.S. (2003-04)
Prior to his time at in the Bay Area, Cammon served as an Playing Career: assistant coach at Long Beach State for five seasons. Cammon Alcorn State, 1999-2003 helped lead the program to five straight Big West Tournament appearances and in 2012-13, the 49ers were invited to play in Honors: the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, marking the Three-year starter program’s first national postseason appearance in more than a Two-year team captain decade. 3 conference championships In addition, Cammon played a key role in helping Long Beach 1 NCAA State reach new heights during the 49ers’ 2009-10 and 2011- 12 campaigns. In 2009-10, LBSU finished fourth in Big West as the team advanced to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. LBSU went 9-7 in league play, posting its first winning record in league play in four years. During the 2011- 12 season, LBSU reached the Big West Championship finals for the first time in 11 years after the 49ers defeated second-seed Cal State Northridge and top-seed Cal Poly along the way.
Cammon spent two years as the head girls’ varsity basketball coach at Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, Calif. before returning to the collegiate level. He also has served as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College, Chaffey Community College and his alma mater, Alcorn State University.
A three-year starting point guard at Alcorn State, Cammon was named a team captain twice and played a pivotal role in leading the Braves to three conference championships and an NCAA Tournament appearance as a student-athlete.
Cammon graduated from Alcorn State in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and in 2005, he earned his master’s in physical education.
11 First Assistant Coach Shandrika Lee Season Shandrika Lee is in her first season as an assistant coach at Lee’s Chart the University of Colorado. Coaching Career: Lee joined the Colorado women’s Assistant Coach, Santa Clara (2014-16) basketball program after two seasons as an assistant on JR 1 WNIT, 34-27 record Payne’s staff at Santa Clara Assistant Coach, Oregon (2011-14) University where she played a key Assistant Coach, Army (2009-11) role in guiding the Broncos to a Assistant Coach, Cal Poly (2005-09) 23-9 mark this past winter as they posted their first winning record Playing Career: since 2008. In addition, she Pepperdine, 2000-04 helped lead Santa Clara to a pair of second round appearances First-team All-WCC: 2004 in the West Coast Conference tournament, highlighted by a semifinals appearance last season after the team finished 13- Academic All-WCC: 2002, 2004 5 in league play and tied for third in the conference standings. 2 NCAA 2 WNIT Lee’s move to Colorado marks her second time coaching within the Pac-12 Conference. She served as an assistant coach with Still ranks 7th at Pepperdine in career steals (183) the University of Oregon women’s basketball program for three and 16th in scoring (1,172), 3rd in 3-point field goals seasons prior to her time at Santa Clara. (173) and free throw percentage (.813) and 9th in 3-point field goal percentage (.348) Before her appointment at Oregon, Lee spent two seasons on the east coast as an assistant coach at Army. In her role on the in free throw percentage (.813) and ninth all-time in 3-point Army staff, she coordinated all recruiting efforts and admissions field goal percentage (.348). along with overseeing the development of the team’s perimeter players. She also worked on community outreach and alumni A two-time WCC All-Academic nominee, Lee graduated with a relations. bachelor’s degree in sports medicine. She went on to earn her master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in physical A native of Moreno Valley, Calif., Lee’s collegiate coaching education and sport studies from Cal Poly in 2008. career began at Cal Poly. In four seasons with the Mustangs, Lee developed the guards, which included two-time first team Prior to coaching at the collegiate level, Lee served as the all-Big West selection Jessica Eggleston and a pair of all-Big junior varsity girls’ basketball coach and varsity assistant at West freshman team honorees in Tamara Wells and Ashlee Ramona High in Riverside, Calif. She also has experience as a Stewart. personal basketball trainer, working with professional-bound athletes as well as designing and training women’s basketball In 2008-09, Lee was a member of the staff that put together Cal lift, strength and speed programs. Poly’s winningest season as the Mustangs went 21-11 in 32 games. While in San Luis Obispo, Calif., she also led a variety of community outreach programs and fundraising efforts for the team. Lee was the co-director of the Holiday Beach Classic from 2005-09 and directed Cal Poly’s women’s basketball camps.
A 2004 graduate from Pepperdine University, Lee played in 98 games and averaged 12.0 points per game during her impressive career. The four-year letterwinner led the Waves in points (13.4 ppg), assists (3.2 apg) and steals (1.4) as a senior (2003-04) on her way to earning first team all-West Coast Conference honors. In her junior year, she averaged 17.6 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game before her season was cut short with an ACL injury.
As a guard on Pepperdine’s squad, the Waves qualified for two NCAA Tournaments and made a pair of WNIT appearances. Lee led Pepperdine in steals three out of her four years on campus and ranks seventh all-time in program history with 183 steals. She is the school’s 16th-leading scoring, tallying 1,172 career points and she also ranks in the top 10 in a variety of other categories, including third in 3-point field goals (173), third
12 Basketball Support Staff JILL MAHONEY ALEX EARL Director of Operations Director of Player Development
Jill Mahoney is in her first season with Alex Earl is in her first season as the the University of Colorado women’s Director of Player Development for the basketball program as the Director of University of Colorado women’s Operations. basketball team.
Mahoney previously spent two years at Earl came to Boulder after working as Western State Colorado University as Associate Athletic an assistant coach for one season under Colorado head coach Director and Senior Women’s Administrator. She handled JR Payne at Santa Clara University. internal operations for the athletic department in addition to serving as the head compliance officer in her role as Associate A 2013 graduate from Arizona State, Earl returned to the Athletic Director and SWA for the Western State Mountaineers. Centennial State after beginning her coaching career at Lamar It was her second stint with Western after she spent one year Community College in Lamar, Colo. where she was the top as an assistant coach on the 2011-12 women’s basketball staff. assistant and recruiting coordinator for one year. During her tenure, she played a key role in guiding the team to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout During her time in southeast Colorado, she helped guide the Championship game. Runnin’ Lopes to their best record since their establishment in 2007, Earl then spent two seasons as an assistant at Eastern Prior to her role in Western State’s athletic administration, Washington before joining Payne at Santa Clara for the 2015- Mahoney was an assistant coach at Southern Utah University 16 season. from 2012-14 when Colorado head coach JR Payne was at the helm. Mahoney helped lead Southern Utah to the program’s An Oregon native, Earl was a four-year letterwinner at ASU, first national postseason appearance and first conference helping lead the women’s basketball team to four consecutive championship over her two-year term. In addition to her postseason appearances, highlighted by a trip to the Elite coaching duties, Mahoney coordinated team travel, monitored Eight in 2009. A three-point shooting threat throughout her academic progress, created scouting reports, coordinated game collegiate career, she ranks in the top 10 in Sun Devil program film and managed community service for the Thunderbirds. history in multiple three-point shooting categories.
Before her first term with the Mountaineers, Mahoney made Earl earned her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State in her coaching debut as an assistant at Grand Canyon University communications. in Phoenix, Ariz. In four years on the Antelopes’ staff, she helped GCU win a trio of Pacific West Conference Championships and the team made two appearances in the NCAA Division II National Tournament, first in 2010 and then again in 2011 with the squad advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.
Mahoney, a Russell, Kan. native, was named the Newcomer of the Year and earned a first-team all-conference selection during her three-year playing career at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. A standout guard-forward, she then spent her final year of eligibility at Grand Canyon, leading the team to a perfect record in conference play and also received all- conference honors.
Mahoney earned her bachelor’s degree in corporate fitness and wellness, and a master’s degree in education administration both from Grand Canyon.
13 Basketball Support Staff ANDY SCHLICHTING TRACY WHITFIELD Assistant Sports Information Marketing/Promotions Director Tracy Whitfield is in his first year as the Andy Schlichting joined Colorado’s sports marketing and promotions coordinator for information staff as an assistant in October the volleyball program, but also works with 2015. He is the primary media contact for women’s basketball and lacrosse. Whitfield CU’s women’s basketball and soccer comes to CU after three years (2013-16) at programs. He joined the Buffs after spending Creighton University where he was an nearly seven years as the sports information assistant director of marketing and director director at Metropolitan State University of of promotions, working with volleyball, Denver, overseeing media relations for all 16 NCAA Division II athletics teams. He joined the Roadrunners in women’s basketball and baseball. February 2009. In 2013, Whitfield was the spring marketing and event intern for At CU, he is responsible for publicizing his two sports teams through the College World Series of Omaha Inc. He also served as the marketing mainstream media and digital media, serving as the liaison between and administrative intern at Augustana College (S.D.), the marketing members of the media and the student-athletes and coaches. He also director for the Sioux Empire Baseball Association and a marketing and produces media guides and print material to publicize the teams and promotions intern for the Sioux Falls Pheasants. organizes record books and weekly game notes. Whitfield earned his bachelor’s degree in sports administration from At Metro State, he was a two-time winner of the J.W. Campbell/Con Augustana in December of 2012 and went on to receive his master’s Marshall Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Sports Information degree in sport management at Concordia University, St. Paul, in Director of the Year, voted on by sports information directors in the December of 2015. conference, winning the award in 2011 and 2015. He was also a three- time runner-up and was one of only four sports information directors in conference history to win the award twice. Schlichting has been active in the sports information world and is a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America ROSI HAUBER (CoSIDA). At Metro State, he served as the regional coordinator for Office Manager Daktronics All-America men’s and women’s basketball. He was also the South Central Region coordinator for the National Collegiate Baseball Rosi Hauber is in her seventh year as Writers Association, serving on the national poll and All-America office manager for the University of committees, and served as a voter for the Tino Martinez Award for Colorado women’s basketball team, assisting Division II’s top baseball player each year. in virtually every phase of the program’s Schlichting joined Metro State after spending two years as a day-to-day operation. graduate assistant in athletic communications at Southwest Minnesota A CU Athletics veteran, Rosi arrived at CU State University in Marshall, Minn. in September 1997, and began a seven-year While at SMSU, Schlichting received his bachelor’s degree in sports stint in the athletic director’s office in management with a minor in business administration in December 1998. In 2005 she moved over to the marketing and promotions and 2006. As a graduate assistant, he earned his master’s degree in sports leadership in December 2008. Schlichting was also a four-year licensing area where she also assisted with the Alumni C-Club and the letterwinner as a punter/wide receiver for the Mustang football team, East Stadium Club Seats and Suites. where he set the school’s single season record for punting average Rosi earned her diploma from Northeast Iowa Community college (40.8) and earned first team all-region honors in 2005. He was also a and worked at Iowa State University for 13 years before moving to three-time academic all-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Colorado in 1987. She grew up on her family’s farm near Cresco, Iowa. honoree. Rosi resides in Erie, Colo., with Jim Jokumsen and their Shiba Inu A native of Chaska, Minn., he was a 2002 graduate of Chaska High (Dora). She enjoys classic cars, travel, playing cards and college School. Schlichting currently resides in Arvada. sports.
TAKAMASA SAKAMOTO Assistant Athletic Trainer Takamasa Sakamoto is in his second year as an assistant athletic trainer with the University of Colorado Sports Medicine program. In addition to leading the needs for the CU women’s basketball team, he also covers the Buffaloes’ nationally prominent cheer squad. Sakamoto joins Colorado after one year at Ohio State University, where he served as an intern from 2014-15. He earned his bachelors of science degree in athletic training from the University of Alabama in 2012 and in 2014, Sakamoto received his masters of education in exercise science from Wichita State University. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Sakamoto enjoys hiking and playing golf.
14 Basketball Support Staff CHRIS HOWLETT Springs High School (Rock Springs, Wyo.) where he lettered in Academic Coordinator football, track and field, and hockey. His hobbies include cycling, hunting, fishing, skiing and snowboarding. He also competes in Chris Howlett is in his fifth year in the Olympic weightlifting and the Scottish Highland Games. Herbst Academic Center as he joined the staff in July 2012. Howlett serves as the academic DERIC SWANSON coordinator for the women’s basketball and Executive Director of BuffVision soccer teams along with football’s defense. Deric Swanson is in his 18th year as the His primary role is to design and implement Executive Director of BuffVision, objective based academic programming for coordinating all aspects of production student-athletes to improve academic success, time management involving the video display boards at Folsom skills, decision making skills and study skills with the long term goal Field and the Coors Events Center, both being graduation, community involvement and career placement. recently upgraded to a near $10 million Prior to his arrival at CU, Howlett served as an athletic academic operation for both facilities combined. counselor at Florida Atlantic University from 2008-12. His Swanson, 40, is considered one of the responsibilities at FAU included the academic oversight of the men’s best in his field and came to CU from the National Hockey League’s soccer, women’s softball, women’s golf, and women’s volleyball teams. Colorado Avalanche, where he had worked for a brief time as the In addition, Howlett served as the department’s admissions liaison, manager of game entertainment and video production. He had textbook coordinator, and Life Skills coordinator. previously worked three-plus seasons with the Colorado Rockies Howlett attended Western High School in Davie, Fla., where he Baseball Club, first as a stadium camera operator, and then as video played baseball and hockey. He earned a bachelor’s of business production coordinator, including the 1998 Major League Baseball All- administration degree with a major in management, and minor in Star Game at Coors Field. accounting, from Florida Atlantic University in 2008. To further his In 2003, BuffVision won the Golden Matrix Award for “Best Overall education and enhance his leadership and management skills, Howlett Video Display” in the University Division at the Information Display is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and and Entertainment Association (IDEA) conference in Atlanta. Management through the Lockheed Martin Engineering Management The following year, BuffVision was awarded two distinctions, one for Program at the University of Colorado. the 2004 Aurora Awards, a Platinum Best of Show statue for In-Game Howlett is originally from Northampton, England and enjoys Entertainment Graphics/Design, and a Telly Award for The Buffalo traveling and playing hockey. He and his wife, Rachel have a daughter, Stampede, CU’s coaches’ show. In 2006 and 2007, BuffVision won three Elina. more Telly Awards for Swanson’s production, including two for the “Ralphie on Campus” institutional spot and another for The Buffalo CHRIS SHECKLER Stampede, and in 2013 earned another Telly for a production involving Assistant Director of Sports CU’s Men’s Basketball team and the Navy Seals. Performance He is a 1996 graduate of Colorado State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in technical journalism and broadcasting. He Chris Sheckler is in his fifth year as the graduated Magna Cum Laude and was recognized as CSU’s outstanding assistant director of sports performance for graduate in journalism. women’s basketball and volleyball, joining He was born May 24, 1974 in Oakland, Calif., and attended two high the Colorado staff in August 2012. schools. His father was stationed in the Azores, Portugal, and he spent Sheckler, 28, came to CU from Montana two years at Lajes High School, where he lettered in football, soccer, State, where he was the assistant strength volleyball and basketball. After moving to Colorado, he graduated from and conditioning coach for the Bobcats for Liberty High School in Colorado Springs, where he lettered in football. one year (2011-12). While at MSU, Sheckler designed and implemented He played volleyball on CSU’s club team for three years. Swanson has strength and conditioning programs for men’s and women’s basketball, also competed in eight IronMan events, including a personal best of men’s and women’s alpine and nordic skiing, as well and women’s golf, 11 hours and 29 minutes in Phoenix, Ariz., in 2009. while assisting with football. He went to MSU from South Dakota State He has two sons, Gavin (8) and Dane (5). where he spent two seasons (2009-11) as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach. He graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in 2009, where he ERIC PELLONI received a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. He earned a Master of Assistant Director of BuffVision Science in Sports Science from South Dakota State in 2011. He also Eric Pelloni is in his 11th season as the maintains strength and conditioning certifications through the assistant director of BuffVision, although he National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the Collegiate has been involved in CU Athletics for the Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA) and USA better part of 15 years. Weightlifting. He assists with the video packages for CU’s While at Dakota Wesleyan, Sheckler was an NAIA scholar All- video display boards and has been on the American in football, an All-GPAC linebacker and a recipient of the BuffVision game day crew for 14 seasons. Dakota Wesleyan Matthew D. Smith Award, which is given to the most Pelloni also helps coordinate streaming and outstanding senior student-athlete. He also lettered three years in technical issues between CU Athletics and Pac-12 Enterprises. track and field, where he participated in the hammer and indoor When CU Athletics overhauled its official athletic website, weight throws. CUBuffs.com, in 2003, Pelloni was hired on a part-time basis to create He was born August 6, 1986 in Cody, Wyo., and graduated from Rock video content and stream live. He has created the majority of the
15 Basketball Support Staff graphic work and assisted in the designing of CUBuffs.com, and has in 2005 from the University of Arizona where he was an equipment designed several women’s basketball media guide covers. intern for three years. Sprouse graduated from Philip Barbour High Pelloni was also the associate producer of “The Buffalo Stampede” School (West Virginia) in 1997 and earned his bachelor’s in recreation coaches show which aired weekly on FSN Rocky Mountain until ending administration in 2002 at Ashland University where he served as a with Colorado’s transition over to the Pac-12 Networks agreement. student equipment manager. He is married to the former Linda Poncin Prior to his full-time appointment at CU, Pelloni worked as a and the couple has a daughter, Lily. freelance video editor/graphic artist in the Denver area, creating video content for both broadcast and non-broadcast applications for a number of clients including Qwest Communications, Coors, XCEL Energy MICHELLE WOLCOTT and the United Way of New York City. Team Physician Pelloni graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 1998 Dr. Michelle Wolcott is in her 14th year as and served as an Adjunct Professor at Metro State in 2003-04. He and team physician for the University of his wife Gabbie, CU’s Director of Operations for Olympic Sports, have a Colorado women’s basketball program. son, E.J. and a daughter, Sophia. An orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Wolcott specializes in the management of athletic injuries to the ankle, knee and shoulder. She NEILL WOELK earned her bachelor of science degree in Contributing Editor, CUBuffs.com biology from the University of Utah and Neill Woelk, a veteran journalist of 35 graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1996. years with many ties to the University of Dr. Wolcott completed her internship and residency in orthopedic Colorado and Boulder communities, joined surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., in 2001. CUBuffs.com as its contributing editor in She also completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the University July 2015. of Iowa Hospital & Clinics in 2002. Woelk spent 30 years as a sports reporter, A member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the columnist, assistant sports editor and American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, Dr. Wolcott spends sports at the Boulder Daily Camera, where her free time her son, Henry (6), and daughter Charlotte (4). he covered a multitude of CU sports and events. He also worked for newspapers in Oregon and Utah. Woelk is a 1982 CU graduate and a Colorado native. He was the 1999 STEPHANIE CHU, D.O. Colorado sportswriter of the year and has received numerous Colorado Team Physician Press Association awards for his work. Dr. Stephanie Chu has served as team “The University of Colorado has been part of the fabric of my life for physician within CU Athletics since 2008. most of my life,” Woelk says. “It’s exciting to be part of an athletic Working with women’s basketball, soccer department that has such a storied past and an equally bright future.” and volleyball teams at CU, she specializes in primary care sports medicine, with personal interests in women’s sports NICK SPROUSE medicine and endurance athletes. Equipment Manager Originally from Westerville, Ohio, Chu Nick Sprouse rejoined the Colorado earned her undergraduate degree from Miami University in 1999 and equipment staff in August of 2016. He her medical degree from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic oversees the equipment needs of the Medicine in 2003. She completed her Family Medicine residency and volleyball, lacrosse and men’s and women’s Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of basketball programs. Sprouse previously Connecticut in 2008, working with various athletic teams while at served on the CU equipment staff from 2005- UConn. 2011 and during that time he worked will all Currently residing in Denver, Chu is a member of the American of CU’s intercollegiate sport programs. After College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Medical Society he left Colorado in 2011, Sprouse joined the sales and reconditioning for Sports Medicine (AMSSM). She spends her free time traveling and team at Denver Athletic Supply before moving back into the equipment volunteering with the nonprofit organization Hope Shines, traveling to field as an assistant at Colorado State. He originally came to Colorado Kigali, Rwanda with the organization every summer.
Student Managers Jalen Almodovar Hannah Fressle Caleigh DeWitt Aidan McQuade Jasmine Polkowske Kaitlyn Steffy Student Athletic Trainer Student Athletic Trainer
16 administration
Bruce Benson Phil DiStefano President Chancellor
2016-17 University of Colorado Board of Regents Back Row (left to right): Glen Gallegos, John Carson, Stephen Ludwig, Michael Carrigan, Linda Shoemaker. Front Row (left to right): Irene Griego, Kyle Hybl, Sue Sharkey, Steve Bosley. Russell L. Moore David Clough Rick George Provost Faculty Rep Athletic Director
Ceal Barry Matt Biggers Lance Carl Kurt Gulbrand Cory Hilliard Kris Livingston David Plati Miguel Rueda Senior Associate AD/ Associate AD/ Associate AD/ Associate AD/ Associate AD/ Associate AD/ Associate AD/Sports Associate AD/ Internal Operations/SWA External Affairs/Chief Business Development Development #HIEF &INANCIAL