BUFFALO, NY - Linda Hill-MacDonald, who has taken two Division I programs to the NCAA tournament and has been a head coach in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), was named the eleventh head coach in the history of the University at Buffalo women's basketball program signing a multi-year contract.

Linda Hill-MacDonald with UB President John B. Simpson

"I am extremely excited about becoming part of the University at Buffalo athletic family. I was very impressed with the people I met during my visit to campus and to the commitment that the University has made toward the athletic program," said Hill-MacDonald. "I look forward to meeting with the basketball team to talk about the direction of our program. Together we will determine a plan for success that will create a sense of pride within the University and community. I am looking forward to beginning that journey!"

"UB was seeking experience and success and we found both with Linda," said Dennis Black, Vice President of Student Affairs. "With such a strong leadership record in women's basketball, we are delighted to have her come to Buffalo and to lead our program."

Hill-MacDonald comes to UB after spending four of the past five seasons as an assistant coach at South Carolina of the powerful Southeastern Conference. Known among women's basketball circles as one of the game's top tacticians, Hill-MacDonald assisted head coach Susan Walvius in game strategies, scouting reports, recruiting and on-court practices. During her tenure at South Carolina, the Gamecocks twice appeared in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight in 2001-02 and to the second round in 2002-03. The Gamecocks were ranked in the Top 20 in both of those seasons as well.

Post-season appearances are nothing new to Hill-MacDonald, as in her first college coaching job she took Temple University to unprecedented heights as the head coach from 1980-90. In her 10 years at Temple, she became the school's most successful women's basketball coach. The Owls had only one winning season in seven before Hill-MacDonald's arrival, then made two WNIT trips and earned an NCAA tournament berth with her at the helm. She was twice rewarded as the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, in addition to securing Big 5 Coach of the Year recognition once.

During her seven seasons at Minnesota (1990-97), Hill-MacDonald led the Gophers to their first-ever NCAA appearance and impressed the importance of academics on her student-athletes. During her tenure in Minneapolis, 20 Gophers earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition under her watch. In her tenure at Temple, she also served as an academic advisor, organizing study skill sessions and tutoring programs for all female student-athletes. She also spent one year at Temple as the Acting Associate Athletic Director, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the women's athletic programs during the 1982-83 academic year.

Hill-MacDonald's great success in the collegiate ranks led her to being named the first head coach of the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers from 1997-99. In her three seasons, she led the team to a 42-38 overall record, the 1998 Eastern Conference Championship Title and the team's first trip to the WNBA Playoffs in 1998. She was also selected to coach the Eastern Team in the Inaugural 1999 WNBA All-Star Game.

She also spent the 2002-03 season as an assistant coach with the Washington Mystics under current New York Liberty assistant Marianne Stanley. Following her stint with the Mystics, Hill-MacDonald served as a scout for the Liberty before returning to South Carolina.

Originally from Morton, Pa., Hill-MacDonald graduated from West Chester University in 1970 with a degree in health, physical education and recreation. She earned her masters' degree in physical education in 1984 after returning to her alma mater. As a student-athlete at West Chester, she was a three-sport standout, earning honors in basketball, lacrosse and field hockey. She was named the school's Outstanding Female Athlete while her team won the first-ever national basketball championship during her junior season. She was inducted into West Chester's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.

In her coaching career, she has also served as president of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (1995-96), served on the Women's Basketball Rules Committee (1990-96), including as chairperson in 1995-96, and also was head coach at the Olympic Sports Festival in 1989. She was also honored with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Carol Eckman Award given to the coach in the profession who has exemplified commitment to the student athlete, integrity and sportsmanship. Eckman was Hill-MacDonald's coach at West Chester.

Hill-MacDonald has a daughter, Kelli (27), and a son, Scott (32) who both reside in the Philadelphia area.

·Hill-MacDonald Quick Hits·

Born in Morton, PA, spent 10 years as a high school teacher and coach at Ridley (PA) High School

Has earned the following coaching awards: Big 5 Coach of the Year (1989), Philadelphia Area Coach of the Year (1983), Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year (1987, 89), runner-up WNBA Coach of the Year (1997)

Took Temple University to its first NCAA Tournament, and advanced to the second round, and a pair of NWIT tourneys.

Took Minnesota to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, advancing to the second round.

Coached first-team Kodak All-Americans at both Temple and Minnesota and coached the 1994 Wade Trophy Award (top player in the nation), Carol Ann Shudlick, at Minnesota.

Set a record for consecutive wins for a first-year team with the Cleveland Rockers of the WNBA.

Won the Eastern Conference championship in her second season with the Rockers. Also coached the Eastern team in the 1999 WNBA All-Star game.

Helped South Carolina to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in her five seasons there, The 2001-02 team was ranked 12th in the nation, was second in the rugged SEC and advanced to the Elite Eight. In 2003, the Gamecocks advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Has two children - a daughter Kelli (27) and a son, Scott (32).

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LINDA HILL-MacDONALD

"Linda is very committed to the game. She always took every opportunity to learn from the Cavs' coaches when she was in Cleveland. She did a terrific job of bringing our women's team together in the first year. She has great organizational skills. She came into our situation and really stuck with it, she adapted to the players she had, she adapted to the personalities and talents and did a terrific job. She'll be very prepared and she has tremendous knowledge of the game."

- Wayne Embry
Special advisor to the General Manager, Toronto Raptors
former GM of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Rockers

"Linda always related to the players very well. She's just a good person who works extremely hard. We used to share the court at Temple and I really enjoyed talking about basketball with her. She has great knowledge of the game and always had a good feel for the best interests of her student-athletes."

- John Chaney
Head men's basketball coach, Temple University

"I've known her for a long time and competed against her when she was at Temple and Minnesota. I think she's a very solid, fundamental basketball coach. She's a student of the game, she's very conscientious and just a good person. I just think she gets the job done in a very thorough and professional way."

- Jim Foster
Head women's basketball coach, Ohio State

"Of all the people I've met in women's basketball, I've never heard anyone say a bad thing about Linda Hill-MacDonald. I know how well-respected she is at the professional level and she was the first person who brought success to Temple women's basketball."

- Dawn Staley
Head women's basketball coach, Temple University
3-time Olympic champion