June 6, 2005

EVANSTON, Ill. - Malissa Burke was named Director of Women's Basketball Operations, it was announced by head coach Beth Combs.

"I had the great privilege of coaching Malissa for four years, and I am now thrilled to have the opportunity to have her on my staff," Combs said. "Her work ethic and leadership skills as an athlete were second to none, and I expect great things from her now as she begins the next chapter of her basketball career. She will be a tremendous asset to our program."

Burke played for Combs at Colgate University, where she was a four-year starting guard for the Red Raiders from 2000-04. She was named the Patriot League Tournament's Most Valuable Player her senior year en route to guiding the team to its first-ever NCAA berth. Burke tops the Colgate records books in career-three pointers (142) and career games played (117) and is second all-time in three-pointers made in a season (50). The three-year team captain finished her impressive career fifth on Colgate's all-time scoring list with 1,445 points and averaged 12.4 points per game over her four-year stint.

Prior to her appointment, Burke was an inside sales manager at CDW Office Solutions in Chicago, where she earned top sales recognition in every sales period she was with the company.