Air Force Academy

Aug. 21, 2007

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force women's basketball coach Ardie McInelly announced today the hiring of Cassie Bro as an assistant coach. Bro comes to the Academy after spending the 2006 season as an assistant coach at Barry University (Miami, Fla.).

Bro was the Barry Buccaneers' recruiting coordinator and assisted with game preparation and on-court instruction. She helped the team to a 14-14 record in 2006-07.

"Cassie is a welcome addition to our program," McInelly said. "She brings with her a great enthusiasm for the game and has some fresh ideas that we feel will benefit the program. She comes to us with a wealth of coaching experience and knowledge despite being just a few years removed from her playing days. We are excited to have her here."

Prior to coaching, Bro played college basketball at both Idaho State University and the University of Alaska-Anchorage. The native of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, began her collegiate career at Idaho State, starting games for the Bengals in her first season and averaging 5.6 points per game. Bro connected on nearly 40 percent of her shots from three-point range and shot 85.7 percent from the free throw line. Bro played under McInelly, who was the head coach at Idaho State, as a redshirt freshman in 2000-01.

After an injury halted her playing career, Bro spent a year as the interim head coach at the Air Force Academy Prep School in 2003-04. Under Bro, the Huskies tied a school record for wins in a season with a 19-9 record. They also defeated the Army and Navy prep schools in a postseason tournament in West Point, N.Y.

Bro returned to collegiate basketball, transferring to Alaska-Anchorage and competing for the Seawolves during her junior year. She was the team's top shooter, draining 35.7 percent of her shots from long range and 78.9 percent of her attempts from the charity stripe. Another injury ended her playing career and Bro completed her term at Alaska-Anchorage as a student assistant for the women's basketball staff.

During her prep years, Bro was a second-team all-state performer for the Lake City (Idaho) High Timberwolves. She led the squad to back-to-back league and regional titles, reaching the state semifinals as a junior and senior. Bro was named an honorable mention high school All-American by USA Today.

"It is such an honor to be back at the Air Force Academy," Bro said. "I am extremely excited and feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with such a wonderful staff and group of young women who are committed to excellence."

Bro earned a B.A. in Physical Education from Idaho State in 2006.