Megan Shoniker was hired as the UNH women's basketball head coach on April 24, 2024
Megan Shoniker Named Women's Basketball Head Coach
4/24/2024 11:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
University of Rhode Island Associate Head Coach is Eighth Head Coach in Program History
DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire Director of Athletics Allison Rich announced the hiring of Megan Shoniker as the new UNH women's basketball head coach. Shoniker will be formally introduced as the eighth head coach in program history in a press conference on Thursday, May 2 (3:30 p.m., Wildcat Stadium, Service Credit Union Victory Club).
"We are excited to welcome Megan Shoniker as the new head coach of our Wildcat women's basketball program," Rich said. "During our thorough national search to find the right person to develop and support our student-athletes and lead this team into the future, it became quite evident that along with her great experience, Megan possesses the energy, passion, vision, and charisma that make her an ideal fit for this important role. The very talented pool of candidates reinforced that this program has great potential to compete for America East championships and beyond. We are thrilled to have Megan join our Wildcat team."
Shoniker most recently served five years on the coaching staff at her alma mater, the University of Rhode Island, including the last two seasons as the associate head coach under head coach Tammi Reiss. URI achieved unprecedented success with Shoniker on staff. In 2023-24, the Rams reached the Atlantic 10 Championship final for just the third time in program history, and the first time since 2003. The 2022-23 URI team set a program record for victories (27) and won two games in the WNIT to advance to the Super 16 after claiming a share of the Atlantic 10 regular-season title for the first time ever. The Rams had back-to-back appearances in the WNIT in 2021-22 and 2022-23 for the first time in program history.
Shoniker coached three All-A10 honorees in her five years, including Rhode Island's all-time single-season 3-point leader, Sophie Phillips. The program had just one all-conference guard in the nine years before Shoniker arrived. Rhode Island was known for its stingy defense with Shoniker as defensive coordinator, leading the Atlantic 10 in scoring defense each of the last two seasons.
"I want to thank President Dean and Athletic Director Allison Rich for this incredible opportunity to lead the University of New Hampshire women's basketball program," Shoniker said. "I believe UNH is a special place with special people, and I look forward to building genuine and authentic relationships throughout the entire UNH community. I would be remiss if I did not also thank Tammi Reiss, Thorr Bjorn and every player that I coached at URI for trusting me and believing in me. I am so excited to be a Wildcat and cannot wait to get to work!"
Shoniker has previous America East Conference coaching experience; she spent the 2018-19 season as an assistant coach at Binghamton University, where she was the recruiting coordinator and organized all aspects of the program's recruiting efforts, including planning of official visits and travel arrangements.
The Rochester, N.Y., native worked as an assistant coach at Canisius University in Buffalo, N.Y., for four seasons, including her final year (2017-18) as the Golden Griffins' associate head coach/recruiting coordinator.
From 2012-14, Shoniker worked at St. John Fisher College in her hometown of Rochester. She assisted with player development, recruiting and video operations while earning her Master of Science Degree in Special Education.
Shoniker shined on the court for URI from 2007-11 and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. She was tabbed to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team and All-Academic Team. She was also named the Rhode Island Women's Basketball Player of the Year and a Capital One Academic All-District Second Team Selection, the only player in Rams' history to win the award. The two-time team captain's name adorns the school's Top-10 lists, including No. 1 in program history in minutes played/season (1,066), free throws made/game (18), free throws made/season (159) and field goal attempts/game (38). See below for a complete list of Shoniker's URI playing records.
After her collegiate career, Shoniker played in Belarus with SBK Olimpia Grodno where she earned First-Team All-Belarusian League and First-Team All-Import in 2012.
Shoniker graduated from Greece Arcadia High School in 2007 as Monroe County's all-time leading scorer with 2,216 points. She led the Titans to the Class AA State, Western Regional and Sectional Championships as a freshman and was a four-time All-Greater Rochester selection, Team MVP and Section V All-Tournament Team Class AA honoree.
Statement from URI head coach Tammi Reiss
"I couldn't be any prouder or happier for Megan being named the new head women's basketball coach at the University of New Hampshire. Since day one of joining our program Meg has diligently worked hard in gaining knowledge and growing her expertise as an assistant and associate head coach. Meg's dream and career goal was to be a head coach and in her five years here in Kingston I watched her apply herself in all areas and aspects of the job. She has never been more ready to lead her own program with her vision. I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done for our program and our student-athletes. She has been a tremendous asset as a player and as a coach for the University of Rhode Island. This is very bittersweet for me as I hate seeing her leave but am so very happy that she fulfilled her dream. I hope New Hampshire is ready for that energy, passion, and fire that's about to happen when Coach Shoniker steps foot on campus. They got themselves a great one."
UNH Women's Basketball All-Time Head Coaches
Joyce Mills 1975-1977
Cecelia DeMarco 1977-1986
Kathy Sanborn 1986-1997
Sue Johnson 1997-2007
Kristen Cole 2007-2010
Maureen Magarity 2010-2020
Kelsey Hogan 2020-2024
Megan Shoniker 2024-present
"We are excited to welcome Megan Shoniker as the new head coach of our Wildcat women's basketball program," Rich said. "During our thorough national search to find the right person to develop and support our student-athletes and lead this team into the future, it became quite evident that along with her great experience, Megan possesses the energy, passion, vision, and charisma that make her an ideal fit for this important role. The very talented pool of candidates reinforced that this program has great potential to compete for America East championships and beyond. We are thrilled to have Megan join our Wildcat team."
Shoniker most recently served five years on the coaching staff at her alma mater, the University of Rhode Island, including the last two seasons as the associate head coach under head coach Tammi Reiss. URI achieved unprecedented success with Shoniker on staff. In 2023-24, the Rams reached the Atlantic 10 Championship final for just the third time in program history, and the first time since 2003. The 2022-23 URI team set a program record for victories (27) and won two games in the WNIT to advance to the Super 16 after claiming a share of the Atlantic 10 regular-season title for the first time ever. The Rams had back-to-back appearances in the WNIT in 2021-22 and 2022-23 for the first time in program history.
Shoniker coached three All-A10 honorees in her five years, including Rhode Island's all-time single-season 3-point leader, Sophie Phillips. The program had just one all-conference guard in the nine years before Shoniker arrived. Rhode Island was known for its stingy defense with Shoniker as defensive coordinator, leading the Atlantic 10 in scoring defense each of the last two seasons.
"I want to thank President Dean and Athletic Director Allison Rich for this incredible opportunity to lead the University of New Hampshire women's basketball program," Shoniker said. "I believe UNH is a special place with special people, and I look forward to building genuine and authentic relationships throughout the entire UNH community. I would be remiss if I did not also thank Tammi Reiss, Thorr Bjorn and every player that I coached at URI for trusting me and believing in me. I am so excited to be a Wildcat and cannot wait to get to work!"
Shoniker has previous America East Conference coaching experience; she spent the 2018-19 season as an assistant coach at Binghamton University, where she was the recruiting coordinator and organized all aspects of the program's recruiting efforts, including planning of official visits and travel arrangements.
The Rochester, N.Y., native worked as an assistant coach at Canisius University in Buffalo, N.Y., for four seasons, including her final year (2017-18) as the Golden Griffins' associate head coach/recruiting coordinator.
From 2012-14, Shoniker worked at St. John Fisher College in her hometown of Rochester. She assisted with player development, recruiting and video operations while earning her Master of Science Degree in Special Education.
Shoniker shined on the court for URI from 2007-11 and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. She was tabbed to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team and All-Academic Team. She was also named the Rhode Island Women's Basketball Player of the Year and a Capital One Academic All-District Second Team Selection, the only player in Rams' history to win the award. The two-time team captain's name adorns the school's Top-10 lists, including No. 1 in program history in minutes played/season (1,066), free throws made/game (18), free throws made/season (159) and field goal attempts/game (38). See below for a complete list of Shoniker's URI playing records.
After her collegiate career, Shoniker played in Belarus with SBK Olimpia Grodno where she earned First-Team All-Belarusian League and First-Team All-Import in 2012.
Shoniker graduated from Greece Arcadia High School in 2007 as Monroe County's all-time leading scorer with 2,216 points. She led the Titans to the Class AA State, Western Regional and Sectional Championships as a freshman and was a four-time All-Greater Rochester selection, Team MVP and Section V All-Tournament Team Class AA honoree.
Statement from URI head coach Tammi Reiss
"I couldn't be any prouder or happier for Megan being named the new head women's basketball coach at the University of New Hampshire. Since day one of joining our program Meg has diligently worked hard in gaining knowledge and growing her expertise as an assistant and associate head coach. Meg's dream and career goal was to be a head coach and in her five years here in Kingston I watched her apply herself in all areas and aspects of the job. She has never been more ready to lead her own program with her vision. I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done for our program and our student-athletes. She has been a tremendous asset as a player and as a coach for the University of Rhode Island. This is very bittersweet for me as I hate seeing her leave but am so very happy that she fulfilled her dream. I hope New Hampshire is ready for that energy, passion, and fire that's about to happen when Coach Shoniker steps foot on campus. They got themselves a great one."
UNH Women's Basketball All-Time Head Coaches
Joyce Mills 1975-1977
Cecelia DeMarco 1977-1986
Kathy Sanborn 1986-1997
Sue Johnson 1997-2007
Kristen Cole 2007-2010
Maureen Magarity 2010-2020
Kelsey Hogan 2020-2024
Megan Shoniker 2024-present
Megan Shoniker File
Education:
URI, 2011 (B.S., Physical Education); St. John Fisher, 2014 (M.S., Special Education)
Coaching Career:
2012-14 St. John Fisher College (Assistant Coach, Staff Associate)
2014-17 Canisius University (Assistant Coach)
2017-18 Canisius University (Associate Head Coach, Recruiting Coordinator)
2018-19 Binghamton University (Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator)
2019-22 University of Rhode Island (Assistant Coach)
2022-24 University of Rhode Island (Associate Head Coach)
2024-present UNH (Head Coach)
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y. (Greece Arcadia High School, 2007)
•Monroe County's all-time leading scorer (2,216 points)
Collegiate Records: University of Rhode Island (2007-11)
Category Statistic School Rank
FT made, game 18 1
FT attempts, game 19 1
FT made, season 159 1
FT attempts, season 202 1
Minutes, season 1,066 1
FG attempts/game 38 (1.1.11 vs UNH) 1
Minutes, career 3,451 2
Points, season 530 2
Games, career 117 3
Starts, career 81 3
Points, game 35, 2x T-3
Season scoring avg. 18.9 T-3
3-pointers, career 158 5
Assists, career 301 6
FT %, career .737 7
FG attempts, career 1,236 8
FT made, career 308 8
Points, career 1,318 9
FT attempts, career 418 10
Education:
URI, 2011 (B.S., Physical Education); St. John Fisher, 2014 (M.S., Special Education)
Coaching Career:
2012-14 St. John Fisher College (Assistant Coach, Staff Associate)
2014-17 Canisius University (Assistant Coach)
2017-18 Canisius University (Associate Head Coach, Recruiting Coordinator)
2018-19 Binghamton University (Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator)
2019-22 University of Rhode Island (Assistant Coach)
2022-24 University of Rhode Island (Associate Head Coach)
2024-present UNH (Head Coach)
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y. (Greece Arcadia High School, 2007)
•Monroe County's all-time leading scorer (2,216 points)
Collegiate Records: University of Rhode Island (2007-11)
Category Statistic School Rank
FT made, game 18 1
FT attempts, game 19 1
FT made, season 159 1
FT attempts, season 202 1
Minutes, season 1,066 1
FG attempts/game 38 (1.1.11 vs UNH) 1
Minutes, career 3,451 2
Points, season 530 2
Games, career 117 3
Starts, career 81 3
Points, game 35, 2x T-3
Season scoring avg. 18.9 T-3
3-pointers, career 158 5
Assists, career 301 6
FT %, career .737 7
FG attempts, career 1,236 8
FT made, career 308 8
Points, career 1,318 9
FT attempts, career 418 10
About UNH Athletics
UNH Athletics is committed to providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and fostering NCAA Division I teams that are a source of pride for the University community, the State of New Hampshire, and UNH alumni across the globe. UNH Athletics creates and sustains a culture committed to integrity, inclusion, respect, civic engagement, leadership, and academic achievement. These values are embedded in the pursuit of athletic excellence and contribute to an extraordinary student-athlete experience.
UNH Athletics is committed to supporting every team and student-athlete with the goal of competing for conference and national championships and with an uncompromising resolve to achieve athletic, academic, and personal excellence.
UNH Athletics is committed to providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and fostering NCAA Division I teams that are a source of pride for the University community, the State of New Hampshire, and UNH alumni across the globe. UNH Athletics creates and sustains a culture committed to integrity, inclusion, respect, civic engagement, leadership, and academic achievement. These values are embedded in the pursuit of athletic excellence and contribute to an extraordinary student-athlete experience.
UNH Athletics is committed to supporting every team and student-athlete with the goal of competing for conference and national championships and with an uncompromising resolve to achieve athletic, academic, and personal excellence.
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