Northern Illinois University women’s basketball head coach Lisa Carlsen completed the hiring of her new assistant coach this week with the addition of Adam Tandez, who comes to NIU after several years coaching at the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels, most recently for three seasons at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo.

“Adam possesses great leadership skills and passion for student-athlete success. I have known Adam for several years and have witnessed his high-quality work at Truman State, seen individual player development enhanced over their careers and I know he is well-respected within the profession,” Coach Carlsen said. “His connections among college, AAU and high school women’s basketball coaches, in particular in the Midwest region, are extensive and will greatly enhance our recruiting. He has been involved at a high level in professional development at the WBCA, collegiate coaching clinics and camps, showing his desire for continued growth. I believe Adam will be a great fit here at NIU.”

Over the past three campaigns at Truman State in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), Tandez helped the Bulldogs reach new heights as a program, including their 2014 GLVC Tournament Championship and automatic NCAA Tournament berth. Working primarily with post players while assisting in game-planning, scouting and recruiting under head coach Amy Eagan at TSU, Tandez contributed to the Bulldogs posting a 58-30 overall record, with a 40-20 mark in the GLVC since 2013.

Tandez also led all individual workouts at Truman State, mentoring 2014 GLVC Player of the Tournament Bianca Szafarowicz and All-GLVC selections Courtney Strait and Michalina Tomczak. While working with the Bulldogs, Tandez coached against Coach Carlsen’s Lewis teams twice in 2014 and again in 2015 as they competed head-to-head for GLVC championships both seasons.

“I’m thrilled to have the chance to work with Coach Carlsen and be a part of all the positive things that are happening with NIU Athletics,” Tandez said. “Having competed against Lisa when she was at Lewis, I have a lot of admiration for her coaching and the success she has had. Now I look forward to learning how she operates and working for her to help bring success to the NIU women’s basketball program.”

Prior to his accomplishments as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Truman State, Tandez excelled in the same role for NAIA program Ashford in Clinton, Iowa, from 2011-13. Serving as the team’s recruiting coordinator, he helped bring in a future NAIA All-American, Sarah Vozel, and built the foundation for a program that improved each year until its 25-8 campaign in 2014-15.

Beyond his experience in collegiate coaching, Tandez has also made a name for himself with his involvement in clinics and camps across the country. He most recently presented at the WBCA Final Four Convention, speaking about “25 ways a young assistant coach can contribute to a program” in Indianapolis. Tandez also has experience as a two-time clinician at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Coaches Clinic among his various appearances as a guest coach at summer camps across the Midwest.

Tandez was named to the inaugural Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Thirty Under-30 program in March 2016 as one of the highlighted up-and-coming women’s basketball coaches under 30-years old at all levels of the game in addition to being selected as a new member of the WBCA Assistant Coaches Council.

He started his coaching career at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee in 2010 while also spending time as the head coach of the Wisconsin Impact Under-17 AAU team in the area.

A 2011 bachelor of science graduate from Marquette University, Tandez organized and directed a women’s club basketball team during his undergraduate studies and worked two seasons in game operations for the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. He also obtained a master’s degree in organizational management from Ashford University in 2012.

Adam and his wife, Julia, married in 2013.

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/051916aaa.html

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