Aug. 27, 2012

MILWAUKEE - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball head coach Kyle Rechlicz has announced the hiring of Gina Gonzales to the position of Director of Basketball Operations.

In addition, Haylie Linn has been named the graduate assistant for the women's program.

Gonzales will work directly with Rechlicz on coordinating team travel, budget, practices and other program functions.

"Gina brings a fresh perspective to our staff," Rechlicz said. "She is someone who wants to work her way up the administrative side more than the coaching side, so I am looking forward to getting her thoughts and ideas. I know that she will give me an honest opinion and present it in a very professional and detail-oriented manner. I think that Gina is going to keep our staff on track and get us moving in the right direction as a program."

Gonzales comes to Milwaukee from Missouri State University, where she spent last season as the Athletics Marketing Graduate Assistant. In that role, she was solely responsible for marketing the women's basketball, volleyball and softball programs, taking care of gameday operations, promotions, entertainment, special presentations and giveaways.

She worked closely with the women's basketball team and coaching staff, planning and coordinating various events for the program. She has also worked as the ballpark operations assistant for the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 and as a marketing and promotions assistant at the College of Mount St. Joseph when she was in school.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be here and be a part of this staff," Gonzales said. "I look forward to learning a lot and being part of this team and can't wait to get the season started."

Gonzales is a graduate of Mount St. Joseph with a degree in Sports Management and is also finishing up her Master of Science in Administrative Studies at Missouri State. As an undergrad, she played basketball at MSJ, earning Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors three times.

Linn recently wrapped up her collegiate career in 2011-12, spending her first two seasons at Indiana University before concluding her playing time at the University of Toledo.

At Toledo, she was an Academic All-MAC Team recipient, earning the 2011-12 Roy & Gail Hummel Scholarship, awarded each year to women's basketball player with highest grade-point average. As a senior, she appeared in all 34 games, making 28 starts at guard, averaging 7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 0.7 steals in 28.7 minutes per game.

"Haylie is one of the most competitive people I know," Rechlicz said. "I think that she will be able to get our players moving in that same competitive direction. She is very strong in her opinion, which I like, and she will have no problem doing whatever we need as a staff to benefit the 15 young women on our team. I am excited to have her as part of our staff."