University of Chicago Director of Athletics and Recreation Angie Torain has announced the hiring of Michelle Gardner-Bilek as the Maroons new head women’s basketball coach. Gardner-Bilek has been a familiar face around the Ratner Athletic Center for more than half a decade after serving as an assistant coach for the program since 2018 before being named interim head coach earlier in the year.
“We are excited for Michelle to continue with the program as the head women’s basketball coach,” said Torain. “She is no stranger to the program and knows what it takes to make women’s basketball successful here at UChicago. She is passionate about the student-athletes well-being and passionate about the game of basketball. I am looking forward to the great things she will do in her new role with the Maroons.”
Before starting her coaching career, Gardner-Bilek played four years for Illinois Wesleyan University where she accumulated an overall record of 102-21. She was part of the Titans squad that reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2010 and the Final Four in 2011 before winning the NCAA Division III national championship in 2012. Before joining UChicago, she also served in operations and coaching positions with Columbia University in New York City and fellow UAA conference member NYU.
“I am beyond grateful to Angie Torain and the hiring committee for the opportunity to lead our women’s basketball program here at The University of Chicago,” said Gardner-Bilek. “I also want to thank my former bosses – Maria Williamson, Carissa Sain, Lauren Mullen, Megan Griffith, Sheila Roux, and Stephanie Glance – along with all my colleagues in the women’s basketball profession for their support and guidance.”
While with the Maroons, Gardner-Bilek has helped guide the team to a UAA conference title and three NCAA tournaments, including a run to the Sweet 16 during the 2022-23 season. UChicago went 93-37 while she served as an assistant and received the UAA Coaching Staff of the Year award following both the 2019-20 and 2022-23 campaigns. In February, Gardner-Bilek was named to the 2024 WBCA Next Generation Institute, which is a high-level program for experienced assistant coaches who aspire to become head coaches. She was also named to the WBCA’s 30 Under 30 honoree list back in 2019.
Gardner-Bilek continued by saying, “It has been an incredible six years working at UChicago, filled with unforgettable wins on the basketball court and memories of our players growing and flourishing throughout their time in Hyde Park. UChicago is a special place where our student-athletes can compete for championships, earn a world-class degree, and build life-long relationships with each other. I am thrilled to continue the championship tradition and help guide our young women to achieve success on and off the court!”
Gardner-Bilek will take the first step of her head coaching career when the Maroons begin the 2024-25 season at home against Carthage on Friday, November 8th. Tipoff inside the Ratner Competition Gym is slated for 7:00 pm.
https://athletics.uchicago.edu/news/2024/9/4/gardner-bilek-named-womens-basketball-head-coach.aspx
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