University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s basketball coach Kayla Karius brought back a fan favorite before last season when she added former Phoenix pupil Jasmine Kondrakiewicz to her staff.
It went so well, why not do it again?
The team has announced the addition of Cassie Schiltz to its bench, filling a coaching spot left open after Kate Peterson Abiad was hired as the Purdue Fort Wayne coach last month.
Schiltz, a former Luxemburg-Casco star, was a teammate of Kondrakiewicz at UWGB from 2020 to 2025. The two have even served as co-coaches in the past for the Wisconsin Legends AAU program.
“We’re excited to welcome Cassie back to Green Bay,” Karius said in a statement. “She had an outstanding career here as a player and understands our program’s tradition and culture at a high level.
“Her strong relationships within the community make her a great addition to our staff, and as an alum, she’ll bring a relatable perspective while passing on her knowledge to the next group of Phoenix players.”
Schiltz spent this season as an assistant under Brad Fischer at UW-Oshkosh.
The Titans went 28-4 and reached the Final Four of the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second straight year and the fourth time in program history.
“I would like to thank head coach Kayla Karius for the opportunity to join the Green Bay coaching staff,” Schiltz said. “I’m incredibly grateful to be returning to the university that gave me so much. This community and program are so special, and I’m so excited to be back.”
UWGB has always meant a lot to Schiltz, who grew up with dreams of playing for the Phoenix.
She received Division I offers from UW-Milwaukee and Drake during her first two seasons with the Spartans before former UWGB coach Kevin Borseth offered her in May 2017.
Schiltz did not need much time to think about it, committing to the Phoenix within a week.
She became the first player from L-C to play at UWGB since former standout Rachel Porath graduated in 2009.
Schiltz had a school-record 1,980 points, 717 rebounds and 340 assists during her prep days before putting together a notable collegiate career at UWGB.
She redshirted as a freshman in 2019-20 and came off the bench for all but four games her first season before breaking into the starting lineup for good as a sophomore.
Schiltz and Kondrakiewicz both showed remarkable durability during their careers. They share the program record with 151 games played.
Schiltz ranks first in team history in free throw percentage (88.9%), third in 3-pointers (195) and second in 3-point attempts (563).
She had 1,314 career points, 611 rebounds and 311 assists and helped the Phoenix reach the NCAA Tournament in each of her final two seasons.
It will be fun to be back home.
“I think there are a lot of attributes from her as a player and a coach,” Kondrakiewicz said. “Obviously, she is from the area, so a lot of community ties coming back home. Getting all her Luxemburg family back to the Kress will be a good touch.
“Just her knowledge of the program, I mean, she has been here longer than most people. Knowledge of the program, our culture, how we do things, I think she will have some good input. Also, having a different experience coaching at Oshkosh. Having some outsider perspective is kind of nice.”
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Former UWGB guard Cassie Schiltz joins team as assistant coach
Reporting by Scott Venci, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
