Hamilton, N.Y. - Shelly Respecki, a former Women's Basketball Coaches' Association Graduate Assistant of the Year, has been named an assistant basketball coach for the 2001-02 season by Colgate University's Head Women's Basketball Coach, Beth Spycher.

"We are very excited to have Shelly come to our program," said Spycher.  "She's worked under an excellent coach, in Dan Durkin, at Duquesne University and her experience on the floor and in recruiting will be a great asset to Colgate basketball."

Respecki, a 1992 graduate of Clarion University, comes to Colgate after serving as an assistant women's basketball coach at Division I Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. for two seasons.  Her on-the-court responsibilities included perimeter play and individual work with post players and guards, while fulfilling her recruiting and scouting duties.

Prior to her position at Duquesne, Respecki coached at her alma mater from 1996-98 as a graduate assistant coach, earning the WBCA Graduate Assistant of the Year award in 1996.  While at Clarion, Respecki coordinated the recruiting, scouting, and administrative efforts of the women's basketball team, as well as supervising the team's academic progress as the Academic Support Advisor.

Respecki also was an assistant coach for three seasons at Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 1993-96, working primarily with the perimeter players and assisting with the team's strength and conditioning program.

As a player, Respecki earned All-Regional and All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference first team honors, as well as PSAC Scholar-Athlete recognition her junior and senior seasons at Clarion.

Respecki, who also worked in the Millcreek Township School District in Erie, Pa. as a math teacher, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Secondary Education in 1992 and a Master's of Education in 1997 from Clarion University.