Colorado Chill general manager Dave King announced Friday that he has found a head coach for his 2005 National Women’s Basketball League team.

Kelly Packard was introduced as the head coach for the 2005 season that was brought on board to help the Chill defend their 2004 regular season champion title. Packard will step into the opening left by Jade Strohm, who let King know last month that she would not be returning for the 2005 season due to family commitments.

”I am so thrilled to be given the opportunity to coach this caliber of athlete,” Packard said. “I am familiar with the players, staff, community and fans. I look forward to the challenge this opportunity will provide in coaching some of the best female basketball players in the world.”

Packard is a familiar face to many in Fort Collins, the Chill, and Triple Crown Sports. She was an assistant coach on and off at Colorado State University under Greg Williams and Tom Collen from 1991-1998. During that time she helped coach Becky Hammon, Katie Cronin, and Teresa James-Hinz, all current players with the Chill. From 1998 to May of 2004, Kelly headed the Triple Crown Athlete Management division. This began when Becky Hammon was looking for athlete representation after her collegiate career ended in 1999 and grew to 35 athletes in December 2003 when Kelly resigned due to the overwhelming time commitment that took her away from her family. In 2004 she acted as Chaplin for the Colorado Chill and visiting NWBL teams. Packard resides in Fort Collins with her husband Rich and her two sons, Derek and Evan.

“I am very excited to have someone as talented as Kelly right here in Fort Collins to assume the position of head coach for the Colorado Chill,” King said. “She is very familiar with Triple Crown Sports and the Chill, plus she has a great understanding of the game of basketball.”

The Colorado Chill completed the 2004 season as the regular season champions and were undefeated at home in the Budweiser Events Center. For 2005 season ticket information, contact Kim at Triple Crown Sports at 970-223-6644 ext.167.

Chill tabs Packard as coach Kelly Packard was hired Friday as coach of the Colorado Chill, taking over a team that fell five points short of winning the National Women's Basketball League championship in its inaugural season. (Fort Collins Coloradoan, Saturday, August 28, 2004)