Aug. 29, 2007

FAIRBANKS, AK- The Alaska Nanooks announced on Wednesday that they have hired Laura Gonsalves of Reno, Nevada as the team's new assistant women's basketball coach. Gonsalves will bring over 14 years of professional and collegiate basketball experience to the Blue and Gold.

"Out of the 26 applicants, which were the strongest group of applicants I have ever had for this position, Laura really stood out," said head coach Lynne Andrew. "I think we will compliment each other very well. She will really fill the needs I am looking for and I think she will be a good fit for this program."

Gonsalves comes to the Nanooks after one season at Western State College of Colorado, where she helped the Mountaineers to a 15-13 overall record, including an impressive 13-6 mark in conference play. Gonsalves also served as an assistant coach at Southern Utah University for two seasons, specializing in the development of post players as well as recruiting and conditioning workouts at the Division I school.

Before embarking on her coaching career, Gonsalves enjoyed a rich, 11-year spell as a player. She was a four-year starter with the University of Washington from 1991-1995, making three NCAA appearances with the Huskies as well as claiming the inaugural WNIT in her senior season. Gonsalves also played seven seasons of professional ball overseas, with stops in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Israel, Switzerland and China, where she became the first American woman to play professionally, claiming MVP honors in two China National Cup tournaments.

"The experience she is going to bring to the team is really important," said Andrew. "She is going to be able to take what she has learned and teach it to others, and really help them grow as young ladies."

Most of the Nanooks will arrive back to campus on Sept. 2, giving Gonsalves her first chance to sit down with the team as a whole. "I am so excited to be up here," she said. "It will be great to sit down with the team and find out where we stand. I think people will be excited about the program this year, and I look forward to knocking out Anchorage."

Gonsalves and the rest of the Nanooks will take to the floor for the first time on November 10, when they take on Alaska Alumni in an exhibition match.