Aug. 23, 2010

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne women's basketball head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio has announced the hiring of Pittsburgh native Lindsay Richards as assistant coach.

"I am very excited to have Lindsay join our staff," said McConnell-Serio. "She comes from a great basketball family and we are very lucky to have someone join our staff with her love and desire for the game."

Richards comes to the Bluff after three years working for Weber Shandwick as a senior account executive in its Chicago-based office.

A 2006 graduate of the University of Iowa with degrees in psychology and communications, Richards played parts of two years for the Hawkeyes before injuries ended her career before the 2005 season. She was a member of the 2004 Big Ten All-Academic team while starting all 29 games at point guard her sophomore season. Richards competed on the Big Ten Foreign All-Stars Team the summer of 2004 in Australia.

A graduate of Barrington (Ill.) High School, Richards was a two-time Nike All-American (2000, 2001), a Third-Team Parade All-American (2001), a two-time Street & Smith Pre-Season All-American Honorable Mention (2000, 2001) and a McDonald's All-American (2002).

Originally from Upper St. Clair, Richards' family moved to Barrington, Ill. when she was in the sixth grade. Her father Tom and mother Mary Beth both played basketball at the University of Pittsburgh. Tom was a teammate of Kirk Bruce, whose daughter Carmen is an assistant coach with the Dukes. Her brother Jason was a four-year letter winner for Davidson and was on the 2008 team that advanced to the Elite Eight.

"I am very excited and honored to be part of the Duquesne women's basketball staff," said Richards. "I look forward to the challenges ahead and working with Coach Serio, Coach [Dan] Burt and Coach Bruce."