The IUP women’s basketball program has announced the hiring of Rebecca Tillett and Ryenn Micaletti as new assistants for the upcoming 2013-14 season.
They’re the first two hires of Tom McConnell, who was named the head coach back in June.
Tillett comes to the Crimson Hawks after six highly successful seasons as the head girl’s basketball coach at Forest Hill High School in Woodbridge, Va.
"We’re excited to have Rebecca join our coaching staff," said McConnell. "I can’t wait for our players to meet her and have the opportunity to work with her."
She led the Bruins to a 122-39 record with four district regular season championships, three district tournament championships, and three regional titles. Forest Park appeared in the state title game in 2008 and was a semifinalist in 2011 and quarterfinalist in 2009.
"She not only coached championship teams but has built a successful program in every sense of the word. Rebecca impacted her players well beyond the basketball floor, something that is very important to me and this program. She will be an energetic recruiter and excellent floor coach for our players."
"IUP is getting one of the finest young ladies I have come to know," said Jerry Mobley, Activities Director at Forest Park. "Rebecca is one of the most professional, dedicated and determined coaches I have ever met.
"In the six years as our head coach, she has been an excellent role model for her students and athletes, and her personality is second to none. Her leadership skills are as good as her coaching skills. She will be an asset to the basketball program at IUP."
She was named Virginia’s Northwest Region Coach of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2011, in addition to multiple coach of the year honors from the Washington Post and the News and Messenger. Since 2007, Tillett coached student-athletes who received scholarships to the University of Virginia, The George Washington University, University of Dayton, James Madison University, and George Mason University, among others.
Prior to Forest Hills, Tillett spent six seasons at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas, Va., including 2003-07 as the head coach. She got her coaching start at Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, Va., in 1999.
Tillett earned her bachelor’s degree from The College of William & Mary in 1999, finishing her collegiate playing career that season as the team captain of the women’s basketball team.
Micaletti joins the staff after two seasons at Point Park University where she served as the top assistant. She helped lead the Pioneers to a 48-14 overall record and a pair of trips to the NAIA Division II tournament. Micaletti also helped Point Park to titles in two different conferences during her tenure: the American Mideast Conference in 2012 and the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2013.
"I think we hit a homerun in bringing Ryenn to the IUP women’s basketball program" said McConnell. "She’s a very talented and bright basketball coach and recruiter who will be a tremendous role model for our players."
Her Point Park teams also succeeded off the court, as she helped two starters to Capital One Academic All-District first team honors in 2013. The Pioneers also won academic team honors with the 20th-ranked GPA in the NAIA in 2012.
Micaletti was a captain and four-year women’s basketball student-athlete at Seton Hill University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2011. She played in 103 career games for the Griffins, starting 29 games as a senior on a team that went 22-7 overall.
"Ryenn will be able to provide valuable insights to our players from her playing career at Seton Hill," said McConnell. "From the first minute I met with her, I knew I wanted her to be a part of IUP women’s basketball."
"Coach Micaletti is a tremendous basketball coach, a fantastic role model, and an even greater person," said Anthony Grenek, head women’s basketball coach at Point Park." I am sad to lose her as my assistant but I am so grateful she is getting this great opportunity.
"IUP, the Crimson Hawks women’s basketball program, and Coach McConnell are getting a gem in Coach Micaletti."
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