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Coaching Staff
Contact Information
Kate Lynch
Head Coach
klynch@ccri.edu
Cassandra Malec
Assistant Coach
camalec@ccri.edu
Kate Lynch:
Head Coach
Kate Lynch is the new head coach of the CCRI women’s basketball
program. She joins the college after one year as the top assistant for
the Engineers of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), replacing former
head coach Kevin Monagle.
At WPI, Lynch was the program’s recruiting coordinator. She also was
responsible for creating the team’s skill, strength and conditioning
program, monitoring their academic progress and scouting opponents. She
previously served as the director of basketball operations for Fairfield
University’s Division I women’s basketball program. Under the direction
of coach Joe Frager, she helped lead the team to an 18-13 record. A key
member of the Stags staff, she coordinated team travel, assisted with
recruiting efforts and managed day-to-day administrative efforts for the
team.
In 2009, Lynch was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame
for her many accomplishments on the court. As a player at Southern
Connecticut State, she was the university’s all-time leader in points
(1,779), field goals (650) and free throw percentage (.803). She was
named the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 Division II NCAA Tournament
where the team won the Division II National Championship. Lynch played
alongside CCRI alumna Babette Noah on the championship squad and the
team finished the 2007 season with a 34-2 record. During her junior and
senior seasons, Lynch was named First Team All-American both years,
Northeast 10 Conference Player of the Year, Daktronics Northeast
Regional Player of the Year and First Team All-Northeast 10. In 2008,
the two-time captain received the New Haven Tap-Off Club Female Athlete
Player of the Year award.
Lynch earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Southern
Connecticut State. She lives in Rumford.
Cassandra Malec: Assistant Coach
Cassandra Malec returns as the Lady Knights’ top assistant coach. Since
2007, she has served as a volunteer coach for the Rhode Island Breakers
Girls’ Amateur Athletic Union team and has coached the FILA All-American
camp in Suwanee, Ga. After transferring from Brandeis University in
2006, she played basketball for Rhode Island College (RIC) from 2006-09.
In high school, she played for Ponaganset High School where she earned
second team All-state honors in 2005.
Malec earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from RIC. She
lives in Providence.
Mike Kelley: Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach Mike Kelley brings 45 years of coaching experience to
the CCRI women’s basketball program. He previously served as head coach
of the Rhode Island College women’s basketball team from 1998-2004 and
as head coach of the North Kingstown High School girls’ basketball team
from 1996-2010. Kelley was a coaching fixture at West Warwick High
School and Deering Junior High School from 1965-95, leading boys’ and
girls’ teams in basketball, football and golf.
Kelley is a graduate of Providence College and a former mathematics
teacher. He resides in West Warwick with his wife and two daughters.
