Email: kristi.cirone@judsonu.edu

Media

• Watch the Press Conference
• Pictures
• WNBA Profile
• Illinois State Tribute Video

Former Illinois State University All-American and WNBA player Kristi Cirone was named head coach in May 2012 and comes to Judson after two years as the graduate assistant at the University of Missouri.

"Judson University is blessed to receive such a person as Kristi to take over our women's basketball program," states Director of Athletics Tony Tompkins.  "She brings a professional caliber with her and is already respected in the collegiate basketball world for her accomplishments at Illinois State.  I am excited for her and for Judson and looking forward to the future success of our women's basketball program."

Cirone, a Chicago native, enters her first head coaching position after being a graduate assistant for two years at the University of Missouri under Robin Pingeton.  She brings to Judson NCAA Division I playing and coaching experience along with professional playing experience in the WNBA with the Connecticut Sun and Chicago Sky and in Greece and Poland.

"I am extremely blessed and excited to be the new women's basketball coach at Judson University which is such a high class and respected institution," says Cirone.   "I am very passionate about impacting the lives of my student-athletes and helping them grow in every aspect of their lives. I want to prepare them to be leaders of the future and to have a profound impact on the lives of others."

Cirone's coaching philosophy has been shaped and molded from her experiences at Illinois State and Missouri under Pingeton.  Cirone went to Illinois State to help rebuild a program as a key player for Pingeton.  In four years of collegiate play, Cirone left Illinois State as the three-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, four-year starter and captain, a two-time WBCA and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American while being named a John Wooden nominee as the nation's best player.  She guided Illinois State to two WNIT and one NCAA Tournament berths in her time and won back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference championships, too. She was also only the second player in Missouri Valley Conference history to be named the "Player of the Year" three times.   In 2010, Illinois State recognized her accomplishments by retiring her #10 jersey.

She still holds seven career records and two single season records at Illinois State.  She is the all-time leader in points (2,139), three-point field goals made (229), three-point field goals attempted (613), free throws made (512), free throws attempted (655), assists (681), and assists per game (5.3).  The single season records she holds are points in a season (657; 2008-09) and assists (203; 2008-09). 

Here playing career did not stop as she continued professionally in Greece and Poland and the WNBA.  She was a free agent signee with Connecticut Sun in 2009 and was Illinois State's first alum to play in the WNBA.  The 2009-10 season she was in Greece and Poland and then finished up her professional career with the Chicago Sky in 2010 attending opening camp. 

A Chicago native, Cirone comes back close to home to start her head coaching career. She was an All-State player for Resurrection High School in Chicago and she played for the Illinois Hustle AAU team.  She continues a family tradition of coaching as her father, Frank, is the girls basketball coach at Northside Prep High School and her uncle, Vito Andriola, is the head football coach at Dundee-Crown High School.  

Cirone is a 2009 graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Exercise Science and just earned her master's degree from the University of Missouri in Educational and Counseling Psychology.  She has already started her position at Judson and will run the girl's summer basketball camps. 

What They Are Saying About Kristi Cirone

"Kristi Cirone was a key member of our leadership team for Women's Basketball at the University of Missouri.  She has a terrific work ethic, broad understanding of college basketball and has outstanding core values.  Her focus on the academic, social and competitive development of students will be a significant asset to Judson University."

Mike Alden

Director of Athletics

University of Missouri

"Kristi Cirone was a tremendous competitor and will have no problem channeling that trait into the Judson University Women's Basketball Program. She was a floor general for the Redbirds, and will transition that leadership, toughness, passion and basketball acumen to the sideline. Kristi Cirone is a winner in every sense of the  word, and will do a terrific job as the Head  Women's Basketball Coach at Judson University."

Leanna Bordner

Senior Associate Athletics Director/SWA

Illinois State University

"I am extremely proud of Kristi and excited for this great opportunity for her.  Her work ethic, loyalty, dedication and passion for the game will have a tremendous impact on the student-athletes, the athletic department and Judson University.  Kristi has done great things both on the court and off the court as a player at Illinois State and a coach at Missouri and it is without a doubt that she will continue to do great things as a coach at Judson.  Kristi will be a tremendous addition to the University and I couldn't be more proud and happy for her"

Robin Pingeton

Head Women's Basketball Coach

University of Missouri 

Playing Career

• Illinois State (2005-09)
• Professional - Greece, Poland (2009)
• Connecticut Sun (2009)
• Chicago Sky (2010 camp)

Records at Illinois State

• Points in a Season - 657 (2008-09)
• Assists in a Season - 203 (2008-09)
• Career Points  - 2,139
• Career 3-point Field Goals Made - 229
• Career 3-point Field Goals Attempted - 613
• Career Free Throws Made - 512
• Career Free Throws Attempted - 655
• Career Assists - 681
• Career Assists Per Game - 5.3

Awards at Illinois State

• #10 Jersey Retired - 2010
• 3-Time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year
• Missouri Valley Freshman of the Year
• Missouri Valley Conference Good Neighbor Award
• Wade Trophy Watch List Nominee (Nation's Best Player - 2009)
• John Wooden Nominee (Nation's Best Player - 2009)
• Associated Press and WBCA All-American Honorable Mention (2008, 2009)
• 11-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week
• 4-time Missouri Valley All-Conference
• 3-time Missouri Valley All-Defensive Team
• Missouri Valley Conference Tournament MVP (2008)
• WNIT All-Tournament Team (2009)

Post Season at Illinois State

• WNIT Tournament (2007, 2009)
• NCAA Tournament (2008)