Story courtesy of Colorado College Sports Information

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Katherine Menendez, who has distinguished herself as an assistant coach at both the NCAA Division I and III levels, has been named head coach of the Colorado College women's basketball team, director of athletics Ken Ralph announced today.

Menendez spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Division I Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., where she directed the program's recruiting efforts and coached all-Patriot League selections Josie Stockhill and Carole Harris.

"I am excited for and humbled by the tremendous opportunity to lead the Colorado College women's basketball program," Menendez said. "The passion of everyone associated with CC is inspiring - you can feel the energy when walking around campus, and sense the pride while speaking with people both in the athletic department and across the institution.

"This is a first-class place that offers student-athletes an unmatched athletic and academic experience. I greatly appreciate Ken Ralph's vision for the women's basketball program and confidence in my leadership. I'm eager to hit the ground running with the women on the team as we work together to create a championship culture in all facets of our program."

Earlier this year, Menendez was recognized as part of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's inaugural "Thirty Under 30" program, which honors 30 up-and-coming coaches age 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each recipient displayed a commitment to community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner and attitude along with association involvement. She has also served as a presenter at the WBCA's "So You Want to be a Coach" program.

"We are thrilled Katherine accepted our offer to be the next coach of the CC Tigers," Ralph said. "She will bring energy, experience, and recruiting expertise to our program. Her time spent at highly selective academic institutions will allow her to make a seamless transition and result in immediate benefits to our program."

Prior to joining the Colgate program, Menendez was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Division III Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. During her four seasons at Emory, the Eagles posted a 69-34 record and program-high No. 7 national ranking in 2014. Emory advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2013 NCAA Division III tournament after winning the program's first University Athletic Association championship.

Before her stint at Emory, Menendez spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Division III Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington, Ill. She helped guide the Titans to a two-year record of 58-3 and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 2009. IWU claimed the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championship each season.

Menendez was in charge of all facets of recruiting and worked with the forwards and post players. She also directed individual summer camps and the program's WBCA "Pink Zone" efforts.

In addition to her duties at IWU, Menendez also served as a compliance graduate assistant for two seasons across town at Illinois State. There, she was in charge of the initial eligibility of prospective student-athletes and monitored official visits and NCAA-countable contact hours for every program.

On the court, the Geneseo, Ill., native played four seasons at North Central College, a Division III program in Naperville, Ill. She served as team captain for the 2007-08 season and was a CCIW all-academic selection multiple times.

Menendez received a bachelor's degree in English and sport management from North Central in 2008 and her master's in sport management from Illinois State in 2010.