basketball staff
Abby Kalland
director of operations • fourth season Former Carleton College (Minn.) standout Abby Kalland enters her fourth season on the University of Minnesota women’s basketball staff as the director of basketball operations. “Abby is the glue that keeps it all together and most importantly keeps me together,” said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. “Abby is my right hand person and someone I have entrusted with a tremendous amount responsibility in the day-to-day operations of the basketball office and program. We are very fortunate to have her as a big part of our program.” Kalland spent two seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, where she assisted in guard development, scouting and recruiting, and handled all team travel arrangements. Carleton captured the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in 2005 and compiled an impressive 19-6 record. Last season, the Knights finished with a mark of 18-10. Kalland has also served as a coach and assistant camp director of the Trent Tucker Basketball Camp since 1998. During her collegiate career (2000-04), Kalland led the Knights to four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, as well as, two regular-season MIAC titles and four MIAC Tournament crowns. Kalland comes from a basketball family, as her father, Guy, enters his 25th season as the head men’s basketball coach at Carleton. Kalland was also a softball standout at Carleton, starting for four years at third base. Kalland recently earned her master’s degree in kinesiology from Minnesota. She graduated in 2004 from Carleton with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Kalland is engaged to Augsburg College men’s assistant coach Ryan Kershaw. The couple has set a summer 2010 wedding.
Michael Fischer
assistant to the head coach • seventh season Michael Fischer is in his seventh season with the Golden Gopher women’s basketball program, his second with the title of assistant to the head coach. Previously, Fischer spent five seasons as the Gophers’ video coordinator, a responsibility he still manages. Fischer oversees the film/editing of all games, the production of scouting, teaching, highlights and player developmental tapes and the development of All-America promotional videos. He is also charged with opponent film exchange. Another major project Fischer is responsible for is the video history of the program, upgrading historical footage using current technology. Fischer has upgraded the program video resources to one of the best in the country. One of his most enjoyable seasons was working with the Gophers during the 2004 Final Four season. “Mike brings a wealth of knowledge in his field of video coordinating to the program,” said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. “His technical experience enables our program to stay ahead of technology. Mike has expanded his responsibilities in taking on more responsibility with our alumni relations and is very passionate about our former players.” Fischer has also been instrumental in the planning of the alumni reunion and assembling historic facts for the interior decoration of the Williams Arena lockerroom. Fischer, a Minnesota graduate, worked as the video coordinator for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky in 2006. He also previously spent five years in that capacity with the Houston Comets. As an undergrad student at Minnesota, Fischer served as a team manager for Gopher women’s basketball (1996-98) and volleyball (1999).
51 * Minnesota Basketball