Aug. 4, 2003

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago Head Volleyball Coach Don August announced on Monday that he has hired Katie Schumacher as an Assistant Coach for the 2003 campaign.

Schumacher, a 2002 graduate of Penn State, helped lead the Nittany Lions to the NCAA Division I Championship in 1999 and three Big Ten Conference championships during her career at University Park.

"I am very excited about Katie joining our staff for the 2003 volleyball season," August said. "Her experience as a three time Big Ten conference champion and as a NCAA national champion will enable her to share just what it takes to accomplish those goals.

"She will also help us in recruiting both the Chicagoland area and the surrounding states," August continued. "She is a gifted coach who will work with our outside hitters and we are fortunate to have someone with her background at UIC."

Schumacher was a three-time All-Big Ten selection, two-time All American and an AVCA All-Region selection in 2001. Schumacher tallied 1,310 kills (ninth in Penn State history), 299 blocks (eighth on all-time team list) and 772 digs.

Schumacher, a Chicago, Ill., native and a 1997 graduate of Mother McAuley, got a taste of the collegiate coaching life last season as she served as a volunteer coach for the University of Illinois. She had spent her entire collegiate career at Penn State serving as a coach for the Nittany Lions' summer camps in both volleyball and basketball.