Paige Sauer Position: Assistant Coach Alma Mater: Connecticut, 2000

Paige Sauer was named assistant women's basketball coach on May 4, 2006.

As the Bears' top assistant, Sauer will be in charge of recruiting and post player development.

"It's going to be a great opportunity to work with Jaime White," Sauer said. "I think the athletic department and the University of Northern Colorado are committed to the development of a great women's basketball program. My goal as the recruiting coordinator is to bring in players that will win a Big Sky Conference championship."

Sauer comes to Northern Colorado after spending three seasons as an assistant for Coach Dianne Nolan at Fairfield (Conn.), where she helped lead the Stags to a 23-35 record. Sauer was in charge of developing post players, while assisting with recruiting, scouting preparation and on-floor coaching. She was also active in the team's community relations efforts.

While at Fairfield, Sauer recruited Candice Lindsay, who was selected as the 2004-05 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and was named to the all-rookie team. Sauer also recruited Sabra Wrice and Baendu Lowenthal, who both were named to the conference all-rookie team.

Before entering the coaching ranks, Sauer spent three years as a professional player. In 2003, she led Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille, France, to the French Cup Championship game. In 2002, she played for Kookmin Bank in Chungcheongnam-Do, South Korea.

Sauer began her professional career as the 31st overall pick for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks in 2000. As a rookie, she was part of a team that qualified for the Western Conference Playoffs.

Sauer also played in the Canary Islands (Spain) and was a member of Sopron Postas (Hungary), which advanced to the prestigious FIBA Ronchetti Cup Final Four.

She finished her WNBA career with the Cleveland Rockers and helped them advance to the Eastern Conference finals in 2002.

At UConn, Sauer had a stellar career, captaining the Huskies to the 2000 National Championship and was a part of two Elite Eight teams (1997-98). UConn reached the Sweet Sixteen in 1999. She was part of four Big East Tournament championship teams and four Big East regular season titles. In 1998, she earned All-Big East third-team honors and was named to the East Regional All-Tournament team.