Vallee becomes first woman to hold coach and GM jobs with men’s pro basketball team

HAMILTON — Chantal Vallee has been named coach and general manager of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Hamilton Honey Badgers, making her the first woman to hold down both roles with a professional men’s basketball team.

Vallee is currently in her 14th year as head coach of the University of Windsor women’s basketball team. She guided the Lancers to a record five consecutive U Sports titles from 2011-2015 and has a collegiate winning percentage of .791 (351-93). She has been named U Sports women’s basketball coach of the year twice (2013-14, 2014-15).

“We are at an unprecedented time of growth for basketball across Canada,” Vallee said in a statement. “The Canadian Elite Basketball League is the first national league with a vision, financial resources, and executive expertise in running major professional sports organizations to be able to truly play an instrumental role in furthering the development of basketball in this country.”

Vallee, a Montreal native, also becomes the second woman to be named head coach of a men’s professional team. Nancy Lieberman coached Texas in the NBA Development League (now G League) to a 24-26 record in 2010-11.