July 28, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - The Penn State Lady Lions have hired Tulyah Gaines to the post of director of basketball operations, head coach Coquese Washington announced today. Gaines replaces Rachel Rito, who is now an events assistant at Penn State. Gaines joins the Lady Lions after serving as an assistant coach at San Bernadino Valley College last season.
"I am really excited to be reunited with Tulyah," Washington said. "She was a joy to coach and had an extremely high work ethic as a player. I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact she will have on our program as the director of basketball operations."
Gaines is responsible for a variety of administrative duties, including serving as the director of the Washington's Whoopsters Kids Club and acting as the liaison for the Lady Lion Cager Club. Gaines also oversees the Lady Lions' community service and alumni relations efforts. She supervises the student managers and provides support for the team's marketing efforts.
Gaines joins the Lady Lions after spending one season as an assistant coach at San Bernadino Valley College. Gaines helped the Wolverines to a 25-6 record last season and the Foothill Conference Championship. In addition to working with the guards, she was team's academic liaison and oversaw women's basketball's strength and conditioning program.
A four-year letterwinner at Notre Dame, Gaines played guard for the Irish from 2004-07 under the direction of Coquese Washington. She led the Irish to the NCAA Tournament each of her four seasons in South Bend, including a Sweet Sixteen berth in her senior season. She finished her career with 754 points, 335 assists and 174 steals. Gaines is in the Top 10 in Notre Dame history in assists. She was a three-time Big East Academic All-Star with the Irish.
Additionally, Gaines has also interned with the Riverside Rainmakers of the American Basketball Association where she assisted with promotion and public relations efforts. She also managed game day operations. Gaines also spent time as an intern at Cheetah Vision Films and Penta Vision Communications, Inc.
Gaines received her bachelor's degree in communication and computer applications from the University of Notre Dame in 2008. She resides in State College.
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