MIAMI (June 21, 2016) -- The FIU women's basketball program has completed its staff as Head Coach Tiara Malcom has added Joe Silvestri as the final assistant for the 2016-17 season, the team announced today. Silvestri comes to the Panthers from nearby UCF, where he ascended to assistant coach after serving as director of program development.
 
"I am excited for Joe to join our staff," noted Malcom. "Joe was one of the coaches that I noticed on the road recruiting, during my years as an assistant. He has a tireless work ethic and I am looking forward to having him make an impact on the program. His knowledge of the game and positive energy will add a special dynamic to what we are trying to do here at FIU."
 
Earlier this season, Silvestri was named to the 30 Under 30 list, by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). This list honors up-and-coming coaches under the age of 30 at all levels of women's basketball. He was honored among just six men and 12 total Division I coaches for that award.
 
"I am extremely humbled by the opportunity Coach Malcom has given me to be a part of her wonderful coaching staff here at FIU," said Silvestri. "I look forward to serving our student athletes in all capacities while helping our program compete for championships. The future of FIU women's basketball is very bright and I can't wait to get started."
 
Silvestri spent the last four years professionally at the Orlando institution, where he graduated in 2012 with a degree in sport and exercise science, with a concentration in coaching. He spent two years in the role of director of program development before transitioning to an assistant coach role prior to the 2014-15 season. He was hired in that role after serving as a student manager for his last two years prior to graduation.
Silvestri performed a variety of tasks and roles at UCF, including assisting with practices, film, coordination of team travel, summer camps and on-campus recruiting events.
Silvestri and his wife Victoria will set up residence in Homestead, Florida.
The majority of the 12-member team returns to campus later this month to being preparations for the 2016-17 campaign.
 
For women's basketball ticket information, contact the FIU Ticket Office at 305-FIU-GAME or log onto www.FIUSports.com.
 
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUWBB) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWBasketball) for all the latest FIU women's basketball news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Google+ (FIU Athletics), Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).
 
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and at the FIU Football Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor¹s, master¹s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU is Worlds Ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded 200,000 degrees and enrolls 50,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.