Entering his seventh season as Head Coach Lisa Ryckbosch[apos]s top assistant is Kevin McManaman.
McManaman, who has over 11 years of collegiate coaching experience, works with the Flames[apos] guards while serving as the recruiting coordinator along with various scouting duties.
UIC[apos]s guard play has been a strength of the team since his arrival with Chrissy Dizon going from walk-on to two-time All-Horizon League recipient and LaShonda Grant blossoming into the team[apos]s leading scorer en route to all-league accolades her sophomore, junior and senior years.
In his tenure with the Flames, McManaman has helped develop 1,000 career-point players LaShonda Grant, Krystal Hugelier and Jacquay Holmes.
McManaman helped guide the Flames[apos] to a record breaking year in 2006-07. UIC tabbed school records in consecutive wins (11) and most victories in a season (19). UIC also made its first-ever postseason trip in a WNIT appearance against Minnesota.
Ryckbosch finds McManaman[apos]s enthusiasm for coaching to be contagious.
[quote]Kevin[apos]s work ethic, passion and integrity have had a great impact on the program,[quote] Ryckbosch said. [quote]He has done an exceptional job of educating the basketball community about the direction the program at UIC is headed.
[quote]He is an excellent teacher, who is committed to helping the players improve.[quote]
McManaman[apos]s impact on the Flames was felt immediately as he helped the squad to 17 wins and a second-place finish in the Horizon League in his first year. UIC[apos]s league finish in 2002-03 was its highest in school history while its 11 league wins tied the school high-water mark.
Prior to UIC, McManaman served two seasons as an assistant coach at Marquette University.
While working for the Golden Eagles, McManaman responsibilities included scouting, conditioning, administrative duties as well as serving as the Camp Director for Marquette[apos]s girl[apos]s basketball camp.
Prior to his stint with Marquette, McManaman served as the assistant women[apos]s basketball coach at St. Mary[apos]s (MN) from 1993 to 2000. During his tenure, McManaman served as the recruiting coordinator and coached guards.
McManaman also served as the Assistant Softball Coach for three years at St. Mary[apos]s and helped the Cardinals to the 2000 Division III National Championship. He then rounded out his career at St. Mary[apos]s as the Associate Athletics Director from May to September of 2000.
McManaman, a native of LaGrange, Ill. and a graduate of Lyons Township, is well known throughout the Midwest as he has worked numerous different camps and clinics.
