Washington Mystics Head Coach Julie Plank announced the appointments of assistant coaches Lubomyr “Luby” Lichonczak, Vanessa Nygaard and Vicky Bullett to her coaching staff. Per company policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
“I am extremely excited to have these outstanding professionals on staff with me. I have always felt that you are only as good as those around you, and I am very fortunate to be able to surround myself with some special talent,” said Plank. “I am confident that our Mystics players will be able to learn from our quality coaches/teachers, who will work extremely hard to achieve our ultimate goal…a WNBA championship in DC!”
Lichonczak brings 30 years of experience to the Mystics. He spent the last seven seasons as the University of Texas-San Antonio and for the past four years as associate head coach. Lichonczak was the head coach at Radford University for 11 years where he guided his teams to six conference titles and three NCAA tournament appearances. In 1992, he was named the Big South Conference Coach of the Year. Lichonczak has served as an assistant coach at Texas A&M, Old Dominion and Idaho. For the past two years, he was the advance scout for the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx.
Nygaard joins the Mystics following a season with the San Antonio Silver Stars where she served as an assistant coach and helped guide the team to the 2008 WNBA Finals. She spent four years as an assistant coach with Pepperdine University (2004-2008). Nygaard started her coaching career in 2003 with California State University, Long Beach. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Nygaard played for six seasons in the WNBA. She attended Stanford University where she helped lead the Cardinal to three Final Four appearances.
Two-time Olympian, Bullett rounds out the Mystics coaching staff. She spent six seasons in the WNBA with the Charlotte Sting and the Mystics, helping lead both teams to a combined five playoff berths before retiring following the 2002 season. Bullett was also named to the 1999 Inaugural All Star team. For the past few years, she has been teaching special education and coaching basketball in her hometown of Martinsburg, West Virginia.
The Washington Mystics will tip off the 2009 season on Saturday, June 6th, on the road against the Connecticut Sun. Washington will host the club’s home opener on Sunday, June 7th, against the Atlanta Dream. Season tickets for the 2009 season are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Mystics Sales Office at 1-877-DC-HOOP1 or by visiting the Mystics web site at www.washingtonmystics.com.
“I am extremely excited to have these outstanding professionals on staff with me. I have always felt that you are only as good as those around you, and I am very fortunate to be able to surround myself with some special talent,” said Plank. “I am confident that our Mystics players will be able to learn from our quality coaches/teachers, who will work extremely hard to achieve our ultimate goal…a WNBA championship in DC!”
Lichonczak brings 30 years of experience to the Mystics. He spent the last seven seasons as the University of Texas-San Antonio and for the past four years as associate head coach. Lichonczak was the head coach at Radford University for 11 years where he guided his teams to six conference titles and three NCAA tournament appearances. In 1992, he was named the Big South Conference Coach of the Year. Lichonczak has served as an assistant coach at Texas A&M, Old Dominion and Idaho. For the past two years, he was the advance scout for the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx.
Nygaard joins the Mystics following a season with the San Antonio Silver Stars where she served as an assistant coach and helped guide the team to the 2008 WNBA Finals. She spent four years as an assistant coach with Pepperdine University (2004-2008). Nygaard started her coaching career in 2003 with California State University, Long Beach. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Nygaard played for six seasons in the WNBA. She attended Stanford University where she helped lead the Cardinal to three Final Four appearances.
Two-time Olympian, Bullett rounds out the Mystics coaching staff. She spent six seasons in the WNBA with the Charlotte Sting and the Mystics, helping lead both teams to a combined five playoff berths before retiring following the 2002 season. Bullett was also named to the 1999 Inaugural All Star team. For the past few years, she has been teaching special education and coaching basketball in her hometown of Martinsburg, West Virginia.
The Washington Mystics will tip off the 2009 season on Saturday, June 6th, on the road against the Connecticut Sun. Washington will host the club’s home opener on Sunday, June 7th, against the Atlanta Dream. Season tickets for the 2009 season are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Mystics Sales Office at 1-877-DC-HOOP1 or by visiting the Mystics web site at www.washingtonmystics.com.
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