Chris Wielgus has been named Women’s Basketball Director of Operations and Tatiyiana McMorris named as a Graduate Assistant at UMass.

The University of Massachusetts women’s basketball program and head coach Sharon Dawley announced the addition of Chris Wielgus to the Minutewomen staff as the Director of Operations on Wednesday afternoon. Wielgus brings more than three decades of experience to the UMass program; including 30 seasons as a head coach at the NCAA Division I level.

"I am excited to be a part of the UMass family," Wielgus said. "I have arrived at just the right time. UMass is on the move with a new Honors College and a basketball practice facility on the way. Sharon Dawley knows how to coach and she has assembled an outstanding staff here. I love to watch how hard her players work in the weight room, during their skill workouts and at team practices. They are dedicated, determined and eager to learn. I am looking forward to this wonderful adventure."

At UMass, Wielgus’ main responsibility will be overseeing the day-to-day functionality of the program.

"We are thrilled that Chris Wielgus has joined our staff at UMass," Dawley said. "Chris is a three-time Hall of Fame coach with over 400 hundred wins, 13 conference titles, a pair of WNIT appearances and seven trips to the NCAA Tournament. Our UMass family will certainly benefit from her knowledge and expertise as we move the program forward."

An elite coach at Fordham (1991-93) and Dartmouth (1976-84; 1993-2013), Wielgus recorded 12 Ivy League Championships, one Patriot League Title, seven NCAA Tournament appearances and a pair of WNIT berths. In 28 seasons leading the Big Green, Wielgus is the winningest head coach in the history of the program, amassing 393 victories and 20 winning seasons during her tenure.

Dawley and Wielgus previously worked together on the Dartmouth staff for 10 seasons from 1993-2003. Dawley was an assistant coach under Wielgus from 1993-97 before being promoted to associate head coach in anticipation of the 1997-98 season. Together, the duo helped lead Dartmouth to a trio of NCAA Tournament appearances and 153 victories before Dawley was named the head coach at Vermont in 2003

The University of Massachusetts women’s basketball program and head coach Sharon Dawley announced Tatiyiana McMorris as a graduate assistant on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. McMorris, who competed at Marquette with the Golden Eagles from 2007-11, will help in all aspects of the program.

"I feel very blessed and honored to be a part of the University of Massachusetts women’s basketball staff," McMorris said. "I am thankful to head coach Sharon Dawley and the rest of the staff for bringing me on board. I plan to work hard, learn as much as I can and help this program grow. I know this season will be special and I can’t wait to get started."

At Marquette, the Bronx, N.Y., native played in 130 career games and made 66 starts. She ranks fourth all-time at the school in three-point field goal percentage (.371), tied for fourth in appearances, tied for sixth in made three-pointers (152) and eight for total three-point attempts (410). During her tenure, Marquette won 79 games, including the 2008 WNIT Championship, while making a national postseason appearance during each campaign.

"We are so happy that Tatiyiana McMorris has joined our staff as a graduate assistant," Dawley said. "She had an incredible career at Marquette, including being named All-BIG EAST as a senior. A proven scorer from beyond the arc and an athletic player, she was also a contestant in the State Farm College Slam Dunk Contest in 2011. In addition the experiences she brings from her four years playing in the always-competitive BIG EAST, Tatiyiana has also coached at the high school level and this past summer helped lead one of the strongest AAU programs in the Northeast, Ring City. I know she will make an impact for us as we prepare for the 2013-14 season."

In addition to her collegiate experience, McMorris was an assistant coach at Sussex Hamilton High School in Sussex, Wis., in 2011-12, and led the 13u Ring City AAU team, based in New Jersey during its 2012 season.

http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/10021…

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