Michelle Venturella

Head Coach: University of Illinois-Chicago

Venturella comes to UIC after spending the last six seasons as associate head coach at the University of Iowa under head coach Gayle Blevins, serving as the recruiting coordinator and hitting coach while also mentoring the team's catchers.

During her tenure in Iowa City, Venturella helped the Hawkeyes to a record of 251-116 with Iowa making five NCAA Regional appearances and claiming the 2003 Big Ten regular season and tournament titles.

"I want to thank Jim Schmidt for giving me a tremendous opportunity to be the head softball coach at UIC," Venturella said. "I look forward to working with people such as Jim and other administrators and athletic staff who share my vision of getting the softball program back to the top of the conference and becoming a national contender.

"I welcome the challenges ahead and know that UIC is a place which allows you to create a successful program and positive environment for student-athletes that they will be excited to call their own."

A product of Thornwood High School in South Holland, Ill., Venturella brings with her to UIC a wealth of experience as a standout player on a national, international and professional level. A 1996 graduate of Indiana University, she starred as a catcher for the Hoosiers, earning All-America and Big Ten Player of the Year honors.

That success led to a six-year stint on the USA National Team, which culminated in Venturella winning gold medals at the 1998 World Championships and the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Venturella got her first taste of coaching at the collegiate level at Northern Illinois, serving as an assistant coach during the 1996-97 season. Following her time at NIU, Venturella spent the next five years as a technical representative for Louisville Slugger while also serving as a personal instructor and motivational speaker under her own company, Michelle Venturella Inc.

Brooke Monroe

Assistant Coach: University of Illinois-Chicago

Brooke Monroe enters her first season as an assistant coach for the softball program at UIC.

A Morton, Ill. native, Monroe joins the Flames with five years of coaching experience and will serve as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator.

After concluding a three-time All-Big Ten career at Indiana as a catcher/utility player, she served as an assistant at Purdue for three seasons as she earned her master's degree.

Following year-long stints at Portland State and Kentucky, Monroe spent the 2008 season as the first assistant coach at Virginia under head coach Eileen Schmidt.

A standout at Morton High, Monroe garnered all-state honors twice during her high school campaign. She still holds the second-most career hits (239) in Illinois state history and her career runs scored (192) currently ranks fifth in the IHSA girl's softball all-time records. Monroe was inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame in March of 2008.

Amanda Scott

Assistant Coach: University of Illinois-Chicago

Scott will serve as the pitching coach for the Flames.

A 2001 Fresno State graduate, Scott was a four-time NCAA First Team All-American in the circle from 1997 to 2000. She led the Bulldogs to the 1998 national championship and was named the Women's College World Series Most Valuable Player.

Beyond the scope of her college career, Scott was a member of the U.S. National Team from 1997 to 2000, winning a gold medal at the 1998 World Championships. As a member of the New York Juggernaut pro fastpitch team, Scott earned league MVP honors in 2004 after leading the team to the championship.

From 2005 to 2007, Scott served as the pitching coach at Iowa. While a member of the Hawkeyes staff, Scott coached Britany Weil to consecutive All-Big Ten Honors for her efforts in the circle. She also assisted with recruiting and team travel coordination as well as planning and directing the Iowa Softball Winter Pitching Clinic.

Scott began her coaching career at Michigan State in 2002, where she spent two seasons with the Spartans.