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Table of Contents

Media Information ......................... 22004-05 Schedule ......................... 22004-05 Season ....................... 3-8

Roster ........................................... 4Pronunciation ................................ 4Team Photo ................................... 5Preview ..................................... 6-7Notes ............................................. 8Coaching Staff ....................... 9-13

Beth Couture .......................... 10-11Seph Hatley ................................ 12Gene Hill ..................................... 12Tianna Kirkland ........................... 132005 Postseason ....................... 14

2004-05 Bulldogs ................ 15-38

Returning Players

Stephanie Boeke ................... 16-17Ashley Brenden..................... 18-19Nikki Budgake ....................... 20-21Jackie Closser ....................... 22-23Ellen Hamilton ....................... 24-25Courtney Lickliter .................. 26-27Maria Marchesano ................ 28-29Jessica Monaco .................... 30-31Cortney Urquhart .................. 32-33Newcomers

Candace Bain ............................. 34Ashley Conner ............................ 35Cassie Freeman.......................... 36Gina Grussing ............................. 37Jessica Smart ............................. 382003-04 Review ................... 39-46

Statistics ................................ 40-41Results ........................................ 40Season Highs/Lows .................... 42

Quick Facts

GENERAL

Location ................... Indianapolis, Indiana 46208Founded ........................................................ 1855Enrollment .................................................... 4,400Nickname ................................................ BulldogsSchool Colors .................................. Blue & WhiteHome Court .............. Hinkle Fieldhouse (11,043)Affiliation ..................................... NCAA Division IConference ................................. Horizon LeaguePresident ...................................... Dr. Bobby FongAlma Mater/Yr. ................................ Harvard/1973Athletic Director .................................. John ParryAlma Mater/Yr. ................................... Brown/1965Sr. Assoc. AD/SWA............................. Carol ReepFaculty Athletic Rep. ...................... Dr. Joe KirschAthletic Dept. Phone .................... (317) 940-9375Ticket Office Phone ..................... (317) 940-3647

HISTORY

First year of basketball ............................ 1975-76All-time record...................... 399-345/29 seasonsYears in NCAA Tournament/last ................ 1/1996Years in WNIT/last ..................................... 2/1998Last postseason opponent .......... Louisiana StateResult ......... Lost, 74-58 (1998 WNIT 2nd Round)

TEAM INFORMATION

2003-04 Overall Record .............................. 14-152003-04 Conference Record/Finish ...... 9-7/T-4th2003-04 Postseason ....................................... n/aFinal Ranking ................................................... n/aLetterwinners Returning/Lost .......................... 9/6Starters Returning/Lost ................................... 2/3

COACHING STAFF

Head Coach .....................................Beth CoutureAlma Mater/Yr. ................................. Erskine/1984Record at Butler (yrs.) ........................... 20-38 (2)Career Record (yrs.) ........................ 278-155 (15)Basketball Office Phone .............. (317) 940-9692Best time to reach coach.............. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.Assistant Coaches (Alma Mater/Year).................................. Seph Hatley (Pfeiffer/1994)........................... Gene Hill (Coker College/1997)..................... Tianna Kirkland (Ferris State/2002)WBB Secretary ...................................Cindy ButtsAthletic Trainer ............................................... TBA

SPORTS INFORMATION

Women’s Basketball SID ............... John DedmanOffice Phone ................................ (317) 940-9994Cell Phone ................................... (317) 491-5462E-Mail .................................. jdedman@butler.eduSID Fax ........................................ (317) 940-9808Sports Information Director ............. Jim McGrathOffice Phone ................................ (317) 940-9414E-Mail .................................. jmcgrath@butler.eduPress Row Phone ........................ (317) 940-9817Web site ............................ www.butlersports.comConference Web site ...... www.horizonleague.org

Game-by-Game Statistics ........... 43Horizon League..................... 44-462004-05 Opponents ............. 47-53

Horizon League..................... 48-49Non-Conference .................... 50-52Series Records ........................... 53League Composite Schedule ...... 54History and Records ........... 55-65

All-Time Roster ........................... 56Single-Game Records ................ 57Single-Season Records .............. 58Career Records ........................... 59Year-by-Year Results ............ 60-62Team Records ........................... 62Honors and Awards .............. 63-64Butler University .................. 65-76

The University ................. 66, 70-71Athletics Administration ............. 67Athletics ................................ 68-69Horizon League .................... 72-73Indianapolis .......................... 74-75Hinkle Fieldhouse ..................... 76

On the Cover: Butler’s three seniors, (from left) Courtney Licklter, CortneyUrquhart and Maria Marchesano appear on this season’s media guide andgame program cover. The three will also serve as tri-captains during the2004-05 season.

Credits: The 2004-05 Butler University Women’s Basketball Media Guide isa production of the Butler University Sports Information Office. The guidewas designed, written and edited by Assistant Sports Information DirectorJohn Dedman. Special thanks to Sports Information Director Jim McGrath,Matt Malloy, Sally Cutler of Butler Marketing and Communications, theHorizon League Communications Department, Butler Sports Marketing andthe Butler women’s basketball staff. The guide was produced using AdobePageMaker 7.0 and Adobe Photoshop 7.0.1. Photography courtesy of BrentSmith (Butler Marketing and Communications) and Mark Roach (VisualSports). Cover design by Alisha Luckenbill of Butler Marketing and Commu-nications. Printing by Multi-Ad Printing of Peoria, Ill.

Butler Basketball

Follow the Bulldogs on the World Wide Web at

www.butlersports.com

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Media Information

N. 4 HOOSIER LADY STARS (Exh.) 7:30 p.m.

N. 19 @ Kentucky 7 p.m.

N. 21 LEWIS 2 p.m.

N. 26 vs. Austin Peay % 8 p.m. CST

N. 27 St. Louis or Alabama A&M % TBA

N. 30 @ Western Michigan 7 p.m.

D. 4 vs. Valparaiso $ Noon

D. 8 MIAMI (OHIO) 7 p.m.

D. 11 EASTERN ILLINOIS 2 p.m.

D. 19 @ Evansville 2 p.m. CST

D. 21 IPFW 7 p.m.

D. 29 @ Wright State* 7 p.m.

J. 3 UW-MILWAUKEE* 7 p.m.

J. 8 UW-GREEN BAY* (DH) 3 p.m.

J. 12 IUPUI 7 p.m.

J. 15 @ Detroit* 4:30 p.m.

J. 20 YOUNGSTOWN STATE* 7 p.m.

J. 22 @ UW-Milwaukee* 2 p.m. CST

J. 29 WRIGHT STATE* 2 p.m.

J. 31 @ UW-Green Bay* 5:30 p.m. CST

F. 3 DETROIT* (DH) 5:30 p.m.

F. 5 CLEVELAND STATE* TBA

F. 9 @ UIC* Noon CST

F. 12 @ Youngstown State* 2 p.m.

F. 17 @ Loyola* 7 p.m. CST

F. 19 UIC* (DH) Noon

F. 24 @ Cleveland State* 7 p.m.

F. 26 LOYOLA* (DH) 3 p.m.

M. 1 Horizon League First Round

M. 3 Horizon League Quarterfinals

M. 6 Horizon League Semifinals

M. 7 Horizon League Championship

Home games in BOLD CAPS

% Billiken Classic (St. Louis, Mo.)

$ Hoosier State Classic (Terre Haute, Ind.)

* Horizon League game

All times local to site

2004-05 Schedule

David WoodsIndianapolis Star307 North PennsylvaniaIndianapolis, IN 46206(317) 444-6195(317) 444-6500 - Fax

Steve HermanAssociated Press251 N. Illinois, Suite 1600Indianapolis, IN 46204(317) 639-5501(317) 638-4611 - Fax

Chris PericButler CollegianButler UniversityIndianapolis, IN 46208(317) 940-8813(317) 940-9713 - Fax

Daniel BradleyDawgnetButler UniversityIndianapolis, IN 46208(317) 940-6073(317) 839-3853 - Fax

Anthony CalhounWISH-TV1950 N. Meridian St.Indianapolis, IN 46202(317) 931-2255(317) 931-2242 - Fax

Dave FurstWRTV-TV1330 N. Meridian StreetIndianapolis, IN 46202-2364(317) 269-1433(317) 269-1445 - Fax

Dave CalabroWTHR-TV1000 N. Meridian St.Indianapolis, IN 46204(317) 655-5754(317) 655-5753 - Fax

Chris DenariWXIN-TV6910 Network PlaceIndianapolis, IN 46278(317) 687-6548(317) 687-6556 - Fax

Mark PatrickWNDE6161 Fall Creek RoadIndianapolis, IN 46220(317) 257-7565(317) 253-6501 - Fax

Vince WelchWIBC40 Monument Circle, Suite 400Indianapolis, IN 46204(317) 684-8745(317) 684-2014 - Fax

Greg RakestrawESPN 95054 Monument Circle, Suite 250Indianapolis, IN 46204(317) 655-9999(317) 655-9995 - Fax

News DirectorWXNT9245 N. Meridian, Suite 300Indianapolis, IN 46220(317) 816-4000(317) 816-4035 - Fax

The 2004-05 Butler Basketball Guide has been prepared toassist members of the print and electronic media with theircoverage of the Bulldogs. If you have need for additionalinformation or pictures, please contact:

John Dedman, Asst. SID

Butler University

Hinkle Fieldhouse

510 W. 49th Street

Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

e-mail address: jdedman@butler.edu

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Butler Athletic Department .................. (317) 940-9375Head Coach Beth Couture .................. (317) 940-9692John Dedman (Office) ......................... (317) 940-9994John Dedman (Cell) ............................ (317) 491-5462SID FAX .............................................. (317) 940-9808Press Row ........................................... (317) 940-9817

For additional Butler athletic information, check:

www.butlersports.com

WORKING CREDENTIALS: Requests for working presscredentials should be directed to the Butler Sports InformationOffice as far in advance of the game as possible. Workingpress members will be seated at courtside.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Photo passes will be issued by the ButlerSports Information Office to certified news photographers only.Photographers are limited to working at either end of the courtat the right of the basket, and flashes are not permitted.

INTERVIEWS: Butler coaches and players will be available forinterviews following the game in the basketball interview area,located on the northwest side of the arena. Requests for Butlerplayers should be given to Butler’s SID prior to the end of thegame. Head coach Beth Couture is available to the mediaimmediately following any Butler practice session, or byappointment. Butler’s players are available immediatelyfollowing practice or as their class schedules allow.

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2004-05 Season

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Numerical Roster

No. Name Yr. Ht. Pos. Hometown/High School (Last College)

4 Jackie Closser So. 5-5 G Alexandria, Ind./Monroe5 Ashley Conner Fr. 5-6 G Indianapolis, Ind./North Central11 Jessica Monaco Jr. 5-10 F Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs12 Stephanie Boeke Jr. 5-10 G/F Minster, Ohio/Minster13 Maria Marchesano Sr. 5-10 G/F Fort Wayne, Ind./Elmhurst15 Ashley Brenden So. 6-3 C Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson20 Cassie Freeman Fr. 5-10 F Fishers, Ind./Heritage Christian22 Candace Bain Fr. 6-2 F/C Clarksville, Ind./Clarksville23 Ellen Hamilton So. 5-10 G Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central24 Jessica Smart Jr. 5-6 G Chicago, Ill./Marshall (Cincinnati State)30 Gina Grussing Jr. 6-0 F Penfield, Ill./Armstrong (Parkland JC)33 Courtney Lickliter Sr. 5-7 G Westfield, Ind./Park Tudor (Lewis Univ.)42 Nikki Budgake Jr. 6-3 F/C North Canton, Ohio/Hoover50 Cortney Urquhart Sr. 6-2 C Somerset Center, Mich./Hanover-Horton

Alphabetical Roster

No. Name Yr. Ht. Pos. Hometown/High School (Last College)

22 Candace Bain Fr. 6-2 F/C Clarksville, Ind./Clarksville12 Stephanie Boeke Jr. 5-10 G/F Minster, Ohio/Minster42 Nikki Budgake Jr. 6-3 F/C North Canton, Ohio/Hoover15 Ashley Brenden So. 6-3 C Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson4 Jackie Closser So. 5-5 G Alexandria, Ind./Monroe5 Ashley Conner Fr. 5-6 G Indianapolis, Ind./North Central20 Cassie Freeman Fr. 5-10 F Fishers, Ind./Heritage Christian30 Gina Grussing Jr. 6-0 F Penfield, Ill./Armstrong (Parkland JC)23 Ellen Hamilton So. 5-10 G Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central33 Courtney Lickliter Sr. 5-7 G Westfield, Ind./Park Tudor (Lewis Univ.)13 Maria Marchesano Sr. 5-10 G/F Fort Wayne, Ind./Elmhurst11 Jessica Monaco Jr. 5-10 F Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs24 Jessica Smart Jr. 5-6 G Chicago, Ill./Marshall (Cincinnati State)50 Cortney Urquhart Sr. 6-2 C Somerset Center, Mich./Hanover-Horton

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Beth CoutureErskine, ‘84Third Season at Butler15th Season as a Head Coach

Asst. Coaches: Seph HatleyPfeiffer, ‘94Third Season at Butler

Gene HillCoker College, ‘97Third Season at Butler

Tianna KirklandFerris State, ‘02First Season at Butler

2004-05 Bulldogs

Pronunciation Guide

Boeke: BO-keyBudgake: Bud-GAKECouture: Koo-CHURGrussing: GROO-singMarchesano: MARK-e-sah-noMonaco: MON-a-koLickliter: LICK-light-erUrquhart: URK-heart

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By Class

Seniors (3)

Courtney LickliterMaria MarchesanoCortney Urquhart

Juniors (5)

Stephanie BoekeNikki BudgakeGina GrussingJessica MonacoJessica Smart

Sophomores (3)

Ashley BrendenJackie ClosserEllen Hamilton

Freshmen (3)

Candace BainAshley ConnerCassie Freeman

By Position

Guards (5)

Jackie ClosserAshley ConnerEllen HamiltonCourtney LickliterJessica Smart

Forwards (6)

Candace BainStephanie BoekeCassie FreemanGina GrussingMaria MarchesanoJessica Monaco

Centers(3)

Ashley BrendenNikki BudgakeCortney Urquhart

By State

Indiana (7)

Candace BainJackie ClosserAshley ConnerCassie FreemanEllen HamiltonCourtney LickliterMaria Marchesano

Ohio (2)

Stephanie BoekeNikki Budgake

Illinois (2)

Gina GrussingJessica Smart

Michigan (1)

Cortney Urquhart

Minnesota (1)

Ashley Brenden

New York (1)

Jessica Monaco

By Height

6-3 (2)

Ashley BrendenNikki Budgake

6-2 (2)

Candace BainCortney Urquhart

6-0 (1)

Gina Grussing

5-10 (5)

Stephanie BoekeCassie FreemanEllen HamiltonMaria MarchesanoJessica Monaco

5-7 (1)

Courtney Lickliter

5-6 (2)

Ashley ConnerJessica Smart

5-5 (1)

Jackie Closser

2004-05 Bulldogs

Front Row (l-r): Jessica Monaco, Jessica Smart, Courtney Lickliter, Cortney Urquhart, Maria Marchesano, Jackie Closser, Ashley Conner; Middle Row(l-r): Cassie Freeman, Asst. Coach Seph Hatley, Asst. Coach Gene Hill, Head Coach Beth Couture, Asst. Coach Tianna Kirkland, Ellen Hamilton; BackRow (l-r): Gina Grussing, Nikki Budgake, Ashley Brenden, Candace Bain, Stephanie Boeke

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2004-05 Outlook

The Bulldogs enter the 2004-05 campaign off theirfirst league winning record and tournament semifinalsappearance in five years. Head coach Beth Couture

and the Bulldogs’ 14-15 record earned the team thedistinction of the 14th-best winning percentageimprovement in NCAA Division I last season. While thisyear’s Bulldogs at first glance seem inexperienced,many gained valuable experience on the court in 2003-04, which should allow for the momentum to continuethis season.

“I’ve been very impressed with our work ethic andattitude throughout the preseason,” said Couture, whoboasts a 278-155 record in 15 seasons as a headcoach. “Our workouts have shown that we will definitelybe a different team than last season, but we’re stilleager to take the program back to competing at achampionship level.

“Obviously, we’ll be deeper this season. Our rosterallows us the flexibility to give teams a lot of differentlooks throughout a game. I think what we lost tograduation last season in terms of athleticism, wecountered by bringing in a lot of size and skill.”

Sophomore point guard Jackie Closser takes thereins of the Bulldogs’ offense after appearing in 28games as “All-Horizon League” Nancy Bowden’sunderstudy last season. Closser joins backcourt mateEllen Hamilton, giving the Bulldogs a guard combowith three-point capabilities. The duo combined for 84treys in 2003-04, while each shot better than 35 percentfrom behind the arc. Hamilton, one of the league’s bestsharpshooters, earned league “All-Newcomer Team”accolades last season.

“Since the start of their sophomore seasons, it’sapparent that Jackie and Ellen’s maturity levels havegrown to the point where I feel very comfortable withthem handling our backcourt,” said Couture.

Freshman Ashley Conner provides depth at bothguard positions. Even though Conner has yet to appearin a collegiate contest, the Indianapolis native is nostranger to big games, helping her North Central squadto a state championship in 2004. Junior college transferJessica Smart gives the Bulldogs backcourt addedathleticism. At Cincinnati State, Smart got the reputationas a shut-down defender, often matching up with theopposition’s best perimeter player. Courtney Lickliter,one of the team’s three seniors, is entering her secondseason at Butler after transferring from LewisUniversity, one of the Bulldogs’ non-conferenceopponents this season. She saw action in eight gamesin 2003-04 and serves as one of the team’s threecaptains this season.

“We have many different options for our backcourt,”said Couture. “We have the ability to put an offensive ordefensive tandem on the court, or we can put

personnel in depending on if we need shooting ordriving capabilities. This is something we haven’t beenable to do in the past.”

In addition to Bowden’s graduation, the Bulldogsalso will have to overcome the departure of the team’sstarting forwards, Angel Mason and Dionne Goodwin.Junior Jessica Monaco and senior Maria Marchesano

became regular contributors toward the end of the2003-04 season, providing an offensive punch as theBulldogs won six of their final eight games. Each shotaround the 40 percent mark from three-point land lastseason, highlighted by Marchesano’s 4-of-4 shootingfrom behind the arc in six minutes of action in theBulldogs’ 89-81 win over UIC Feb. 12.

“Looking back on last season, the most importantpart of Maria and Jessica seeing a lot of action downthe stretch was their confidence level going into thisseason,” said Couture. “They should be able to step inand help to fill the void of players we lost tograduation.”

Junior Stephanie Boeke has made 11 starts duringher Butler tenure and sparked the Bulldogs in theirupset win over Chattanooga last season. In that game,Boeke scored a season-high nine points and had three

Bulldogs Look to Expand on Last Season’s Success

Horizon League “All-Newcomer Team” honoree Ellen Hamilton

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2004-05 Outlook

assists. Freshman Cassie Freeman is the secondIndiana All-Star to join the Butler roster in as manyyears, along with Closser, a 2003 selection. Freeman,from nearby Heritage Christian High School, amassedmore than 1,700 points during her high school career,helping the Eagles to a state runner-up finish in 2004.

“Cassie is the type of player on the wing that bringssize and strength, in addition to being able to shoot,”said Couture. “She’ll cause mismatches because shecan go inside or out and be effective.”

The center position provides the Bulldogs with themost stability as sophomore starter Ashley Brenden

returns along with senior Cortney Urquhart, the team’sleading returning scorer. Urquhart should eclipse the1,000-point plateau during the season and will bemotivated to continue the program’s rise to the upperechelon of the Horizon League, seeing the teamimprove from a 3-26 squad her freshman year.

Urquhart received preseason second team “All-Horizon League” honors this season, as she enters the2004-05 season as the Bulldogs’ active leader in moststatistical categories. Brenden started 20 games lastseason and finished among the Horizon Leagueleaders in blocked shots. The 6-3 Brenden also has theability to hit the mid-range jumper and step behind thearc and knock down shots.

“We feel confident about our low block play with theminutes that Cortney and Ashley saw last season,” saidCouture. “We also feel that they can play together incertain situations because of their talent in addition totheir size.”

Nikki Budgake, a junior, has appeared in 37games for the Bulldogs in her two seasons inIndianapolis. The North Canton, Ohio native is one ofButler’s two players who stand 6-3. NewcomersCandace Bain and Gina Grussing should bothcontribute immediately. Bain, a versatile 6-2 forward/center, has the ability to hit the trey and work down lowon the block. Coming from Clarksville, Ind., Bainfinished as her school’s career leader in both pointsand rebounds, earning honorable mention All-Stateaccolades.

Grussing, a junior college transfer from ParklandJunior College, gives the Bulldogs a defensive andrebounding presence on the interior. After becomingArmstrong High School’s career leading scorer, rackingup more than 2,000 points, Grussing earned “Player ofthe Year” and “Freshman of the Year” honors by theCollegiate Conference of Central Illinois in her firstseason at Parkland. Shooting just shy of 60 percentfrom the field that season, Grussing finished seventh inthe nation in field goal percentage.

“Even though we return two strong post players inAshley and Cortney, we feel like our depth in the

Depth, Versatility Highlight 2004-05 Roster

frontcourt will allow us to play more aggressively andhave competition for spots,” said Couture. “It’s a plusfor us that we have a lot of talent so our practices willbe extremely competitive.”

Butler’s schedule opens with a tilt against SEC up-and-coming program Kentucky before the Bulldogshost Lewis Nov. 21 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in their homeopener. Butler will spend the Thanksgiving weekend inMissouri, competing in the Billiken Classic with hostSaint Louis, Austin Peay and Alabama A&M. The rest ofthe non-conference slate includes contests against in-state rivals Valparaiso, Evansville, IPFW and IUPUI, inaddition to Western Michigan, Miami (Ohio) andEastern Illinois.

The Bulldogs look to improve on their fourth-placefinish in the Horizon League last season. Regularseason and tournament champion UW-Green Bayreturns a strong lineup, while Detroit and UW-Milwaukee also made the tournament’s final four in2004. Butler will play home-and-home series against alleight league opponents, including four doubleheadersat Hinkle Fieldhouse with the men’s team againstleague competition.

Sophomore center Ashley Brenden

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2004-05 Outlook

Bulldogs Picked to Finish Third in Horizon

League Preseason Women’s Basketball Poll

The Butler women’s basketball team continues its climbto the top of the Horizon League and people are starting totake notice. The Bulldogs were picked to finish third in theleague standings in a preseason poll of the league’s coaches,sports information directors and media, released by theleague Oct. 19.

Butler, fresh off a 9-7 Horizon League record andtournament semifinals appearance last season, returns nineletterwinners, including second-team preseason “All-HorizonLeague” pick Cortney Urquhart and “All-Newcomer Team”selection Ellen Hamilton. Coach Beth Couture’s teamreceived 174 points in the poll, including being one of onlythree teams to garner a first-place vote. The 174 points in thepoll tied the Bulldogs for third with Detroit, behind defendingchampion UW-Green Bay (258) and UW-Milwaukee (213).

”It’s a great honor to be seen by your peers as one of thetop teams in the conference,” said Couture, who enters herthird season at Butler. “A lot of credit needs to go to thoseplayers who have been here these last few years and workedhard to get the program to the place it is today.”

Loyola (167), UIC (137), Cleveland State (114), WrightState (96) and Youngstown State (68) rounded out the poll. Inlast season’s poll, the Bulldogs were picked to tie for seventhbefore tying for fourth in the final league standings, part of thereason the Bulldogs pulled off the 14th-greatest winimprovement in Division I last season.

2004-2005 Preseason Poll

1. UW-Green Bay 258 points (24 first-place votes)2. UW-Milwaukee 213 (1)T3. Butler 174 (1)T3. Detroit 1745. Loyola 1676. UIC 1377. Cleveland State 1148. Wright State 969. Youngstown State 68

BULLDOGS LIVE ON THE WEB: Josh Rattray and MelindaQuasius will once again be bringing the action of Butlerbasketball into your living room this season, broadcasting allof Butler’s games live on www.butlersports.com. Click the“Listen Live” link on the main page and follow the instructionsto catch the Bulldogs live, whether they are in HinkleFieldhouse or on the road.

URQUHART TABBED WITH PRESEASON HONOR:SeniorCortney Urquhart earned second-team preseason “All-Horizon League” honors after posting nearly 10 points andfive rebounds per game last season. The 6-2 center scored indouble figures on 15 occasions last season and picked up her500th career rebound in the Bulldogs’ final game of the 2003-04 season. Urquhart needs just 169 points to reach the 1000-point milestone.

“We’re extremely happy for Cortney,” said Couture.“She’s worked extremely hard for the last three years and isvery deserving of this honor. We’re confident that her play onthe court this season will justify this preseason recognition.”

UW-Green Bay’s Abby Scharlow was tabbed as theleague’s preseason “Player of the Year,” joining three Phoenixteammates in earning individual honors.

QUICK SHOTS: Butler was 10-0 last season when shooting ahigher field goal percentage than their opponent...TheBulldogs currently hold winning streaks against six of theireight Horizon League opponents.

LIVE AND DIE BY THE KIDS: In 2003-04, Butler’s threefreshmen (Ashley Brenden, Jackie Closser and EllenHamilton) averaged 19.8 combined points in Butler wins,compared to 14.1 points in the team’s setbacks. In the team’s14 wins, the trio combined for 44 percent shooting, while theiroutput dropped to 33 percent in the team’s 15 losses. Closserwas perfect from the field twice during the season, includingButler’s tournament quarterfinals win at Cleveland StateMarch 4. Closser’s game-high 17 points came on 5-of-5shooting. The Alexandria, Ind., native also went an unblem-ished 6-of-6, including four treys, Feb. 21 at UIC. Hamiltonearned “All-Newcomer Team” honors, finishing the seasonamong the league leaders in both three-point percentage andtreys made. She and Brenden each started 20 games.

COUTURE STICKING AROUND: On the eve of last season’sHorizon League tournament, Butler extended the contract ofwomen’s basketball coach Beth Couture through the 2007-08season. The Bulldogs have at least doubled their win totalfrom the previous season in each of Couture’s two seasons inIndianapolis, including the 14th best win improvement inDivision I last season.

DEEP THREATS: Senior Maria Marchesano had one of theprogram’s most efficient games Feb. 12 against UIC at HinkleFieldhouse. In just six minutes of action, the Ft. Wayne, Ind.,native scored 12 points on 4-of-4 three-point shooting. Herfour bombs helped the Bulldogs to a school-record 14 three-pointers in the 89-81 win. Entering this season, 83 percent ofMarchesano’s 316 career points have come from three-pointers (87 3FGs for 261 points), as she’s currently seventhon Butler’s career three-point charts. Marchesano is one offour returning players, joining Jackie Closser, Ellen Hamiltonand Jessica Monaco, to have shot at least 35 percent fromlong range last season.

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Coaching Staff

Head CoachBeth Couture

Assistant CoachesSeph Hatley

Gene HillTianna Kirkland

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When Beth Couture arrived in Indianapolis two seasons ago, she knew she faced thetoughest challenge of her coaching career. The Butler team that went 3-26 the season beforeshe took the reins hardly resembled her squads at Presbyterian, where she won nearly 70percent of her games over the course of 13 seasons. But, after developing the roster sheinherited and infusing that roster with two talented recruiting classes, Couture orchestrated the14th greatest improvement in the NCAA last season, leading the Bulldogs to their first HorizonLeague winning record in five seasons.

Couture has at least doubled the Bulldogs’ win total in each of her two seasons inIndianapolis. Butler finished the 2003-04 campaign with a 14-15 record, including a 9-7 leaguemark and appearance in the semifinals of the league tournament. The Bulldogs came togetherwhen it counted most, posting victories in nine of the team’s final 13 games to climb into thetop half of the Horizon League standings.

Entering her third season on the Butler sidelines, Couture has re-established the program’sties to Indiana’s rich basketball heritage. Her first two recruiting classes have each included anIndiana All-Star (Jackie Closser in 2003 and Cassie Freeman in 2004). In addition, Greenfield,Ind., native Ellen Hamilton received Horizon League “All-Newcomer Team” accolades followingthe 2003-04 season.

After taking over the Presbyterian program prior to the 1989-90 season, Couture compiledan impressive 258-117 (.688) overall record including eight 20-win seasons. In addition, sheled the program to six trips to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in her last nine years.Couture spent two seasons as an assistant at Presbyterian from 1987-89, coming to Clinton,S.C., after three years at thehelm of Dixie High School inDue West, S.C.

Couture accumulated along list of accomplishmentswhile at Presbyterian College.She led the team to threestraight South AtlanticConference (SAC) regularseason and SAC Tournamenttitles from 1998 to 2000. Afour-time SAC “Coach of theYear” recipient, Couturementored 18 all-conferenceselections and threeconference “Players of theYear.”

One of the highlights ofCouture’s career came duringthe 1999-2000 season whenthe Blue Hose placedthemselves in the recordbooks with a 28-2 mark. Thatteam won the SAC regularseason title with a 15-1record, won the SACTournament title and hostedthe NCAA Division II SouthAtlantic RegionalTournament. Presbyterianwas ranked as high as fourthin the nation during thatseason.

Coaching Staff

Education:

ErskineB.S., 1984FurmanM.S., 1987

Résumé:

2002-presentHead Coach,Butler University20-38 Record

1989-2002Head Coach,Presbyterian College258-117 Record

1987-89Assistant Coach,Presbyterian College

1984-87Head Coach,Dixie High SchoolDue West, S.C.49-28 Record

1980-84Player,Erskine College

Coaching Honors:

�SAC “Coach of the Year”Basketball, four times�SAC “Coach of the Year”Volleyball, three times�Eight 20-win seasons�Six D-II Tournaments�18 All-Conference Players�Three South Atlantic Conf.“Players of the Year”

Playing Honors:

�Four-time Team MVP�Kodak All-American, 1984�Erskine Hall of Fame, 1989

Beth CoutureHead Coach � Third Season � Erskine, ‘84

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1989-90 Presbyterian 20 10 .6671990-91 Presbyterian 13 14 .4821991-92 Presbyterian 16 11 .5931992-93 Presbyterian 16 10 .6151993-94 Presbyterian 22 8 .7331994-95 Presbyterian 23 7 .7671995-96 Presbyterian 13 14 .4821996-97 Presbyterian 17 10 .6301997-98 Presbyterian 23 8 .7421998-99 Presbyterian 24 6 .8001999-2000 Presbyterian 28 2 .9332000-01 Presbyterian 22 8 .7332001-02 Presbyterian 21 9 .7002002-03 Butler 6 23 .2072003-04 Butler 14 15 .483Presbyterian (13 yrs.) 258 117 .688

Butler (2 yrs.) 20 38 .345

Overall (15 yrs.) 278 155 .642

Couture’s College Head Coaching Record

Coaching Staff

Beth Couture is the only coach in South Atlantic Conference history tobe named “Coach of the Year” in two sports. She earned the honor inbasketball on four occasions and in volleyball three times.

The only coach in the conference’s history to benamed “Coach of the Year” in two different women’s sports,Couture guided the Blue Hose volleyball team to threenational tournaments, including the school’s first-everNCAA postseason appearance in 1993. She served as theteam’s head coach from 1987-93, amassing an overallrecord of 233-50, winning SAC Volleyball “Coach of theYear” awards on three occasions.

A native of Greenville, S.C., Couture is a 1984graduate of Erskine College where she was a four-timeMVP selection in basketball for the Flying Fleet. A KodakAll-American honoree as a senior, Couture was inductedinto the Erskine College Hall of Fame in December of1989. She earned a bachelor’s of science degree inphysical education from Erskine and went on to complete amaster’s degree in the same field at Furman University in1987.

Year Coach Overall Conf.

1975-76 Xandra Hamilton 1-9One Season 1-9 (.100)

1976-77 Linda Mason 2-91977-78 Linda Mason 9-51978-79 Linda Mason 23-11979-80 Linda Mason 21-11980-81 Linda Mason 26-21981-82 Linda Mason 23-31982-83 Linda Mason 18-61983-84 Linda Mason 2-20

Eight Seasons 124-47 (.725)

1984-85 Russ Sarfaty 4-24 1-131985-86 Russ Sarfaty 4-23 1-131986-87 Russ Sarfaty 10-17 3-91987-88 Russ Sarfaty 14-12 5-5

Four Seasons 32-76 (.296)

1988-89 Paulette Stein 9-17 3-111989-90 Paulette Stein 20-9 12-4

1990-91 Paulette Stein 21-8 10-61991-92 Paulette Stein 14-15 5-71992-93 Paulette Stein 23-8 14-2

Five Seasons 87-57 (.604)

1993-94 June Olkowski 13-13 6-61994-95 June Olkowski 21-6 13-31995-96 June Olkowski 21-9 13-31996-97 June Olkowski 17-11 12-41997-98 June Olkowski 25-6 13-11998-99 June Olkowski 17-11 9-5

Six Seasons 114-56 (.671)

1999-00 Wendy Gatlin 10-16 6-82000-01 Wendy Gatlin 8-20 3-92001-02 Wendy Gatlin 3-26 1-15

Three Seasons 21-62 (.253)

2002-03 Beth Couture 6-23 3-132003-04 Beth Couture 14-15 9-7

Two Seasons 20-38 (.345)

Totals 399-345 (.536) Overall; 142-144 (.497) Conf.

Butler All-Time Coaching Records

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Assistant coach Seph

Hatley enters his fourthseason on Beth Couture’sstaff, including her entire

tenure at Butler. When Couture arrived at Butler in2002, she brought Hatley with her to Indianapolis.Hatley had served as Couture’s top assistant in herfinal season at Presbyterian College. During the 2001-02 season under Couture and Hatley’s guidance, theBlue Hose finished with a record of 21-9.

And while Hatley and Couture have coached side-by-side for four seasons, their relationship dates backeven further. Prior to working at Presbyterian, Hatleywas the head women’s basketball coach at NewberryCollege for the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons, wherehe was a South Atlantic Conference opponent ofCouture’s.

With the Bulldogs, Hatley is in charge of on-courtcoaching as well as scouting reports. Entering his thirdseason on the Butler sidelines, Hatley has beeninstrumental in the program’s turnaround, as theBulldogs posted 14 wins and a winning league recordlast season after going 3-26 with one conference winthe year before Couture and her staff arrived inIndianapolis.

In addition to his previous head coachingexperience, Hatley also served as assistant women’sbasketball coach at his alma mater, Pfeiffer University,from 1996-1999. While at Pfeiffer, he also served asPfeiffer’s head coach for men’s and women’s crosscountry teams, assistant softball coach and sportsinformation director.

Hatley earned his degree in sports managementfrom Pfeiffer University in 1994. Before coming toPfeiffer, Hatley spent two years at Florida StateUniversity in Tallahassee, Fla., where he earned anAssociate of Arts degree in 1992.

Hatley and his wife, Candace, were married in2001. The couple resides in Broad Ripple.

Coaching Experience

� Asst. Coach, Butler University, 2002-present� Asst. Coach, Presbyterian, 2001-02� Head Coach, Newberry College, 1999-01� Asst. Coach, Pfeiffer College, 1996-99

Seph HatleyAssistant Coach

Third SeasonPfeiffer, ‘94

Gene HillAssistant Coach

Third SeasonCoker College,

‘97

Gene Hill enters histhird season on theButler women’sbasketball staff. He

joined coach Beth Couture’s first Butler staff in 2002after serving as the interim head women’s basketballcoach at East Carolina University during the 2001-02season. With the Bulldogs, Hill serves as the recruitingcoordinator and assists with on-court coaching.

The Bulldogs’ recent resurgence to the upper tier ofthe Horizon League has been in large part to the talentthat Hill has accumulated on the Butler roster over thepast two seasons. Each of his recruiting classes hasincluded an Indiana All-Star (Jackie Closser in 2003and Cassie Freeman in 2004), while freshman EllenHamilton earned Horizon League “All-Newcomer Team”honors in 2003-04.

Hill has also re-established relationships within theIndiana basketball community, as six of the nineplayers signed in his first two recruiting classes havehad Indiana ties.

Prior to his stint at East Carolina, Hill was the headwomen’s basketball coach at University of SouthCarolina - Spartanburg from 1999-01. While inSpartanburg, he recruited three USA Today HonorableMention All-Americans and the 2000-01 Peach BeltConference “Freshman of the Year.”

From 1997-99, Hill served as an assistant women’sbasketball coach at Lander (S.C.) University, where hehelped lead the Bearcats to their first Peach BeltConference Tournament championship and earned anNCAA Tournament bid.

Hill graduated from Coker (S.C.) College with adegree in physical education in 1997. While at Coker,Hill played for the Cobras’ basketball team for oneseason and also served as the assistant women’sbasketball coach for three seasons.

Coaching Experience

� Asst. Coach, Butler University, 2002-present� Head Coach, East Carolina, 2001-02� Head Coach, S.C.-Spartanburg, 1999-01� Asst. Coach, Lander University, 1997-99� Asst. Coach, Coker College, 1994-97

Coaching Staff

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Tianna

KirklandAssistant Coach

First SeasonFerris State, ‘02

Tianna Kirkland, whospent the past twoseasons as a graduateassistant at Central

Michigan University, joins head coach Beth Couture’sstaff this season. In addition to her on-court coachingresponsibilities, Kirkland oversees the team’s traveloperations and serves as the program’s camp director.She also assists with scouting and recruiting.

The Flint, Mich., native graduated from Ferris Statein 2002 and holds a bachelor’s degree in appliedbiology. Kirkland is currently working toward a master’sdegree in business administration at Central MichiganUniversity.

In just two seasons on the sidelines, Kirkland hasamassed a wealth of experience. At Central Michigan,her responsibilities included on-court coaching and thecoordination of the program’s film-exchange, scoutteam, and team managers. She was also involved inrecruiting and individual skill development. Additionally,Kirkland oversaw the purchasing of all team equipmentand the CMU Ball Girl program. Kirkland has served asan instructor at numerous camps, in addition to runningCentral Michigan’s camp the past two summers.

Kirkland arrived on the CMU campus after a stellarfour-year career at Ferris State University (Big Rapids,Mich.). She ended her senior year by being named aWomen’s Basketball Bulletin third team All-Americaselection. She was also recognized as the Great LakesIntercollegiate Athletic Conference “Player of the Year.”

She led the team in rebounding on three occasionsand in scoring her last two seasons. Kirkland helpedthe Bulldogs to their first NCAA Division II NationalTournament appearance as a junior. She was namedAll-GLIAC second team as a junior and GLIAC NorthDivision first team the following year.

Kirkland graduated from Ferris State in 2002 asone of the university’s most accomplished players. Shefinished her career as Ferris State’s tenth-leadingscorer (926 points), third-leading rebounder (705), andfourth-best shooter (.540, 350-for-648). She alsoranked in the Top 10 for free throws made (ninth, 226)and blocks (fifth, 40).

A two-sport athlete, Kirkland also participated intrack and field at FSU. She holds the school indoor andoutdoor records in the shot put, in addition to theBulldogs’ record discus mark. A two-time co-captain,she also earned Division II All-America honors in theindoor and outdoor shot put and the discus in 2002.

Coaching Staff

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2005 NCAA Women’s Final Four In IndianapolisAfter hosting the men’s Final Four on four occa-

sions, the women’s Final Four comes to the RCA Domein Indianapolis for the first time April 3 and 5, 2005.Butler University and the Horizon League will serve asco-hosts for the largest event in college women’sbasketball. A number of auxillary events come to India-napolis as well, including the Women’s BasketballCoaches Association (WBCA) National Convention andthe WBCA All-Star Challenge, a game recognizingsome of the game’s biggest stars.

The national semifinals will be played Sunday, April3, while the national championship game is scheduledfor Tuesday, April 5. The RCA Dome has served as thehost venue for the men’s Final Four in 1980, 1991,1997 and 2000, and will host the event in 2006 and2010. In October, the NCAA announced that theWomen’s Final Four will also return to Indianapolis in2011.

2005 Horizon League

Women’s Basketball ChampionshipPrior to the 2003-04 season, the Horizon LeagueExecutive Council passed a proposal to change theWomen’s Basketball Championship format. The newformat moved the championship from a predeter-mined site to multiple sites.

The first round game and the quarterfinalgames are played on campus sites. In the first roundgame, the No. 8 seed hosts the No. 9 seed. Thatgame is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, 2005. Thewinner of that game will travel to the No. 1 seed forone of four quarterfinal match-ups, Thursday, March3. The No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 seeds will host the No.7, No. 6 and No. 5 seeds, respectively, with the fourwinners advancing to the semifinals.

Under the pure format, the No. 1 seed (orhighest remaining seed if the No. 1 seed were to getbeaten in the quarterfinals) would host both thesemifinal (Sunday, March 6) and championship(Monday, March 7) rounds. However, the format change will not go into full effect until 2007 since UW-Milwaukee (2004), Wright State (2005) and Youngstown State (2006) retain the hosting rights awarded toeach institution prior to the proposal being passed. UW-Milwaukee hosted the semifinals and champion-ship rounds last season despite UW-Green Bay winning the regular season championship.

2005 Postseason