Legette-Jack Names Sharkey, Weagant to UB Women's Basketball Staff
5/20/2015 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo, State University of New York women's basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack announced the hiring of assistant coach, Kristen Sharkey, and director of basketball operations, Hayley Weagant, Wednesday.
"We're very excited to have Kristen and Hayley join our staff. It's going to be great to have these young ladies help grow our program," praised Legette-Jack.
Sharkey graduated from UB with a psychology degree in 2014 and is working towards a Master of Business Administration. A standout for the Bulls, she was a two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection and a two-time Academic All-MAC pick. In January, Sharkey became the 22nd player in program history to score 1,000 points. She ended her playing career with six top-10 rankings on UB's all-time career lists.
"Kristen is one of the finest minds in the game at her age," applauded Legette-Jack. "I love her ability to know the post and coach it up. She brings innovative and creative ideas and wants to grow her Alma Mata. It's great to see your players earn the right to work with you and for this great institution. We know that she loves Buffalo and will do great things here."
During the 2014-15 season, Sharkey was a two-time MAC East Player of the Week and earned Big 4 and UB Female Athlete of the Week nods on four occasions. She led the team with 14.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while adding a Bull-best eight double-doubles. She earned Miami Thanksgiving All-Tournament Team nods and was named MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week on March 18. During the 2013-14 season, Sharkey received the MAC Presidential Award and was inducted into the Taurus Aureus academic honor society. She became a SUNY Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete and was the female recipient of the MAC Medal of Excellence.
Weagant is coming off a two-year stint as a graduate assistant coach at Division III Penn State Behrend where she received her MBA earlier this month. Her coaching focus was with the guards, while also recruiting, scouting and coordinating fundraisers and community service activities. Weagant served as interim head coach for the Lions during the spring of 2014, compiling summer workout programs and directing camps and clinics.
"Hayley is a young and upcoming coach," said Legette-Jack. "She played a role as an assistant coach at her last institution and will bring a broader sense of basketball operations to the table at UB. Hayley is a very strong mind and has opinions – I love her aggression. She is a young lady who's really going to help grow our program."
A 2013 graduate of Manchester University with a bachelor's in exercise science and minors in coaching and Spanish, Weagant was a two-year member of the women's basketball team before suffering a career-ending injury. She remained part of the women's basketball program as an intern, helping with recruiting, assisting in practices and film exchange. Weagant also spent two years coaching the seventh grade Manchester Junior-Senior High School girl's basketball team.
