Emory Women's Basketball Names Katherine Menendez Assistant Coach

Emory University head women’s basketball coach Christy Thomaskutty  has announced the appointment of Katherine Menendez as assistant coach. Menendez will begin her duties on June 1.

Menendez joins the Eagles’ program from Illinois Wesleyan University where she served as an assistant on head coach Mia Smith’s staff for the past two years.  In those two seasons, the Titans fashioned an overall record of 58-3 while capturing a pair of College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championships.  Menendez helped IWU to a pair of berths in the NCAA Tournament with the team advancing to the Elite 8 in 2009.  This past campaign, the Titans finished with an overall slate of 28-2 and ended the regular season ranked No. 3 nationally among Division III programs.  In her first year on the IWU staff, the team chalked up a 30-1 mark with the victory total establishing a school seasonal record.  In addition, the Titans ended the regular season ranked No. 1 nationally.   In addition to her bench duties, Menendez, who worked primarily with the IWU post players and forwards, directed the program’s summer camp and served as the co-director of the IWU Summer Shootout Tournament.

Menendez attended North Central College (IL) where she was a four-year member of the  Cardinals’ basketball team (2005-08).  She was a dual major in English and Sport Management and earned her undergraduate degrees in those subjects in June, 2008.  While at North Central, she was a member of the CCIW All-Academic Team and also assisted with the school’s Office of Admissions.

“Katherine comes to us from one of the top Division III programs in the country and has been instrumental in the recruitment of some outstanding players,” Thomaskutty said. “She possesses a tireless work ethic and her enthusiasm and demonstrated success in recruiting will be beneficial. As a former Division III student-athlete, she has a passion for what Emory represents and will be a great fit, both for the basketball program and the athletic department.”

Menendez recently obtained her master’s degree in Sport Management from Illinois State.  While at Illinois State, she worked as a graduate assistant in the compliance department.

"Emory University is an incredible institution that is committed to the success of its student-athletes both academically and athletically,” Menendez said.   “Coach Thomaskutty is committed to the success and well-being of her players, and I look forward to working with her and the women on the basketball team as we continue to seek success both on and off of the court."