Worcester, MA --- WPI Women's Basketball coach Cherise Galasso has announced the hiring of Kate Lynch as the program's top assistant.  Lynch replaces Jessica Baker, who was on the Engineer bench during the 2008-2009 campaign.

Lynch joins the WPI staff after a season as the Director of Basketball Operations at Division I Fairfield.  As a key member of the Stags staff, Lynch handled team travel, assisted with recruiting efforts and managed day-to-day administrative efforts in the women's basketball office.  At Fairfield she worked under the tutelage of her collegiate coach Joe Frager and helped the team to a 18-13 record, including a road win at nationally ranked Marist.

"We are very excited to have Kate join our staff and feel she will be a tremendous asset to our program," said Galasso. "Her incredible success as a student-athlete, combined with her work ethic and great passion for the game made her standout amongst a strong candidate pool. Kate is a first class individual who truly reflects the core values we espouse here at WPI. I have no doubt she will make an immediate impact and help continue the tradition of success we have established within WPI Women's Basketball."

Lynch enjoyed tremendous success as a four-year player at Southern Connecticut State.  She graduated as the Owls' all-time leader in points, (1,779), field goals made (650) and free throw percentage (.803).  In arguably her finest collegiate moment, Lynch earned Tournament Most Valuable Player honors as she help the Owls win the 2007 NCAA Division II championship as a junior.    

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with Coach Galasso," stated Lynch. " She has had a lot of success at WPI and has turned it into a winning program. I look forward to working at WPI and helping Coach Galasso and the team maintain the winning tradition."

While at Southern Connecticut, Lynch earned numerous awards, including being named a First Team All-American during her junior and senior seasons and being selected Northeast 10 Conference Player of the Year and First Team ECAC All-Star both years.  In 2008, the two-time captain received the New Haven Tap-Off Club Female Athlete Player of the Year award.

Lynch, who hails from Rumford, RI, earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science from SCSU.  She holds the two-best single season scoring totals in program history, tallying 647 as a junior and 632 as a senior and will be inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame this fall.