Amanda Scott and Brooke Monroe (above) will serve as assistant coaches for the Flames in the 2008-09 season.

July 3, 2008

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago head softball coach Michelle Venturella expanded her staff on Wednesday by naming Amanda Scott and Brooke Monroe assistant coaches for the Flames.

Scott served as Venturella's assistant coach at the University of Iowa for two years, while Monroe joins the UIC staff after spending the past season as the top assistant coach at the University of Virginia.

"I couldn't be more excited to add Amanda and Brooke to the staff," said Venturella. "They are phenomenal people that share my vision for getting UIC back to being a national competitor. Their passion, knowledge and teaching ability will be a positive influence on anyone they get the opportunity to coach."

A 2001 Fresno State graduate, Scott was a four-time NCAA First Team All-American in the circle from 1997 to 2000. She led the Bulldogs to the 1998 national championship and was named the Women's College World Series Most Valuable Player.

Beyond the scope of her college career, Scott was a member of the U.S. National Team from 1997 to 2000, winning a gold medal at the 1998 World Championships. As a member of the New York Juggernaut pro fastpitch team, Scott earned league MVP honors in 2004 after leading the team to the championship.

From 2005 to 2007, Scott served as the pitching coach at Iowa. While a member of the Hawkeyes staff, Scott coached Britany Weil to consecutive All-Big Ten Honors for her efforts in the circle. She also assisted with recruiting and team travel coordination as well as planning and directing the Iowa Softball Winter Pitching Clinic.

Scott began her coaching career at Michigan State in 2002, where she spent two seasons with the Spartans.

She most recently served as a color commentator for the Big Ten Network during the spring 2008 season.

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to come to UIC," said Scott. "Coach Venturella has great energy and vision for UIC softball and I'm looking forward to being a part of this program and university."

After concluding a three-time All-Big Ten career at Indiana as a catcher/utility player, she served as an assistant at Purdue for three seasons as she earned her master's degree. Following year-long stints at Portland State and Kentucky, Monroe spent the 2008 season as the first assistant coach at Virginia under coach Eileen Schmidt.

A standout at Morton High, Monroe garnered IHSA all-state honors twice during her high school campaign. Her career runs scored (192) currently ranks fifth in the IHSA girl's softball all-time records.

Monroe was inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame in March of 2008.