May 9, 2005

DAYTON, OH - University of Dayton women's basketball head coach Jim Jabir named Ali Jaques to his staff as assistant coach. Jaques (pronounced "JACKS"), joins UD following three seasons at Furman University in South Carolina.

"We're thrilled to have Ali join our Dayton Basketball program," Jabir said. "This program is building a tradition and culture of winning here at UD, and Ali is going to be a big part of helping us achieve our goals. I'm happy to have her along with [assistant coaches] Greg Williams, Vera Jones and [Director of Basketball Operations] Frank Goldsberry on my staff."

"It is a tremendous opportunity to be at the University of Dayton, in the Atlantic 10 Conference, and working with Coach Jabir," Jaques said. "The support and excitement this city has for Dayton Basketball is incredible and I'm happy to be a part of the winning tradition we're creating with this program."

Jaques joined the Furman staff in the summer of 2002 and helped the Paladins to 52 victories in three seasons. Furman finished second in the Southern Conference in 2003-04 and third in 2004-05 after a fourth-place showing in 2002-03.

Jaques' coaching responsibilities with the Lady Paladins included team defense and working with Furman's perimeter players from 2002-04 and the post players in 2004-05. Another of her responsibilities was recruiting, as she brought Southern Conference All-Rookie Team member Chrissy Phelps to Furman.

Prior to Furman, Jaques spent three seasons at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., where she was the first assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. While at Sacred Heart, Jaques was a part of the team's first season as an NCAA Division I program (1999-2000) and helped the team post a 48-40 record over the course of her three year tenure. Her responsibilities at Sacred Heart included overseeing the recruiting process, scouting opponents and developing game strategies, scheduling, overseeing academic progress, organizing travel, and fundraising. During her tenure, the Pioneers finished third twice and second once in the Northeast Conference.

Jaques' coaching career began at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J., where she was responsible for film exchange, monitoring student-athletes' academic progress, on-the-court coaching and organizing the team's trip to Spain.

A graduate of New York University, the Rosemont, N.J., native was a four-year letter winner and led her squad to four appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament, including a National Championship in 1997. Jaques earned the Coach's Award twice and the Sixth Man Award once. She was also selected as a team captain for the 1997-98 season and graduated with a double major in broadcast journalism and German.

The Flyers return 13 players from last year's squad, which finished with the fifth-best Atlantic 10 record last season and posted the fourth-best turnaround from the previous year in the NCAA. Dayton went 12-16 last season as returning forward Cara Wright was named to the All-Atlantic 10 squad.