CHICAGO (July 16, 2021) – Loyola University Chicago head women's basketball coach Kate Achter announced the additions of Abi Scheid and Maggie Lyon to her coaching staff on Friday.  Both former standouts at Northwestern University, Scheid will serve as the Director of Women's Basketball Operations, while Lyon assumes the role of Video Coordinator.
 
Scheid, who spent the 2020-21 season as Director of Player Development with the Maroon & Gold, is just over a year removed from wrapping up a highly-decorated career with the Wildcats.  The Elk River, Minn. native closed her time in Evanston, Ill. with 1,146 career points and was named a First Team All-Big Ten selection as a senior, averaging 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds as she helped lead Northwestern to its first Big Ten regular season title in 30 years.  Scheid was also lauded for her work in the classroom, earning a pair of Academic All-Big Ten nods.
 
"We are very lucky to welcome Abi as a full time member of our staff," Achter said.  "Abi spent the past season volunteering her time within our program and she has just been tremendous.  She has an outstanding work ethic and has built wonderful relationships with our players and staff.  Abi has a very bright future in this business."
 
"I have loved my role within player development and am excited to have another opportunity to represent this prestigious University and athletic community," Scheid stated.  "As a retired player, I am eager to give back to the game I love and there is no better place to do so than here at Loyola."
 
A local product out of suburban Wilmette, Ill., Lyon, who burst on the scene in 2012-13 as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, finished her Northwestern career as one of the most prolific scorers in program history, pouring in 1,693 career points to rank sixth all-time in Wildcat annals.  She took home All-Big Ten distinction in each of her four years at Northwestern, averaging a career-best 16.5 points and 5.7 rebounds during her senior year.  Following graduation, Lyon, also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, played professionally one season with Uni Ferrol (Spain) before spending four years in the communications and marketing department at Priority Sports and Entertainment.   
 
"Maggie is as sharp as they come," Achter added.  "We feel blessed to welcome a basketball mind of her caliber to our program.  Maggie knows a thing or two about taking a program to the next level, as she was a huge part of building the foundation for Northwestern women's basketball under (head coach) Joe McKeown.  Maggie is already making an immediate impact with our players and staff and I can't wait to watch her growth this season."
 
"I'm extremely excited to join the Loyola women's basketball staff as Video Coordinator," Lyon commented.  "As a former player who grew up in the Chicago area, I know the great tradition here at Loyola and am thrilled to be a part of it."
 
Fresh off making its first postseason appearance in program history in 2020-21, Loyola is set to return an experienced core of 11 letterwinners for the upcoming season, a group highlighted by First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree Allison Day, in addition to adding a quartet of newcomers.