July 4, 2003

(San Francisco) - Brittany Lindhe, a member of four All-West Coast Conference First Teams during her career at the University of San Francisco and a catalyst for the Lady Dons run to the 1996 NCAA Sweet-16 was named to the women's basketball coaching staff head coach Mary Hile-Nepfel announced today. The second leading scorer in program history (1,619) litters the career record books at USF. A standout in the classroom, Lindhe earned selection to three WCC All-Academic squads and was named the WCC's Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 1999.

Hile-Nepfel is thrilled to welcome back Lindhe, a two-time preseason All-American, to the Hilltop.

"I'm very excited to have Brittany back in the program. To have her loyalty and enthusiasm is going to elevate this program. The passion she has for the school and the game of basketball will help her attract student-athletes here. Brittany understands the tradition of women's basketball here and it's important for her to be back as part of it. I know she's excited about the future of this program," Hile-Nepfel stated.

Lindhe returns to the Hilltop after beginning her coaching career at the University of Portland in 2000. While with the Pilots Lindhe worked with four All-WCC selections and concentrated on perimeter development. Lindhe will assist in recruiting, perimeter development and academic development.

After spending eight seasons in the WCC as a player and as an assistant coach, Lindhe welcomes the return to the Hilltop and is eager to begin.

"I am excited about the opportunity to coach at USF. There are so many people here that were here when I was playing. It feels like a family. There is so much room here for success. Mary told me in the last couple of years when I was playing that she would like to coach with me. I am excited about the chance to coach with such a great person and a great coach," stated Lindhe who believes USF has the opportunity to challenge in the WCC race this season. "The one thing that I am most excited about is how dedicated the team is and how excited they are about the future of this team. The most important thing is how hard they are willing to work," Lindhe said.

One of the most decorated players in Lady Dons history, Lindhe made an immediate impact on her arrival on the Hilltop, earning WCC Freshman of the Year honors in 1995, leading USF to their first of three consecutive West Coast Conference Tournament Championships and back-to-back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths. In 1997, Lindhe was named WCC Tournament MVP and sparked San Francisco to a pair of regular season titles (1995-96). In addition to ranking second in scoring at USF, Lindhe rates seventh in WCC career scoring.

Following her standout career, Lindhe's number 40 was retired - the second Lady Don so honored (Hile-Nepfel). In addition, Lindhe earned an NCAA Postgraduate scholarship in 1999. Lindhe was selected to the WCC's Top-50 Athletes in 2002, celebrating the 50th year of the league.

Lindhe was recruited to USF after posting an impressive prep career at Goldendale (WA) High School (1993-94) and Tonasket High School (1991-92). A four-time all-league selection in both volleyball and basketball, Lindhe was named Washington State Class 'A' MVP following her junior campaign after leading the Timberwolves to the state semifinals.

Lindhe graduated from USF with a BA in Exercise and Sports Science from USF in 1999 and earned her Master's in Education from Portland in 2002.