ITHACA, N.Y. – The Rebecca Quinn Morgan '60 Head Coach of Women's Basketball,
Emily Garner, has announced the promotion of assistant coach
Courtnay Pilypaitis to associate head coach.
"Courtnay has been a tremendous addition to our coaching staff from day one," commented Garner. "Her promotion to Associate Head Coach reflects the leadership, commitment and work ethic that she brings to our program every day, and I'm looking forward to continuing to build the program together. I'm excited to see her step into this role, and to continue to make a positive impact on our student-athletes."
Pilypaitis joined Cornell women's basketball in June of 2025. As assistant coach, she helped lead the Big Red to the second-best 3-point shooting percentage (31.8), second-fewest fouls per game (13.1), third fewest turnovers per game (15.5), fourth-most bench points per game (14.4), fourth-most assists per game (13.8), fourth-best assist/turnover ratio (0.89), and fifth-best field goal percentage (39.1) in the Ivy League.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step into the role of Associate Head Coach," said Pilypaitis. "I'm honored and thankful for the trust Coach Garner has placed in me. I look forward to continuing to support our student-athletes and helping elevate the Cornell women's basketball program."
Pilypaitis joined Cornell after serving as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Fresno State University from 2021–24, where she helped develop multiple Mountain West all-conference selections and 1,000-point scorers. During her tenure with the Bulldogs, she coached and recruited All Mountain West player and 1,000-point scorer Amaya West, and was instrumental in recruiting efforts that brought in the program's first team member named to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award watch list.
Prior to Fresno State, Pilypaitis spent three seasons (2016–19) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) as assistant coach and international recruiting coordinator. At UMBC, she coached four America East honorees, including Taylor McCarley, a two-time first team selection who ended her career ranking in the top five in UMBC's history in scoring, assists and steals.
From 2012–16, Pilypaitis served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Vermont, where she helped recruit and mentor three America East All-Conference team selections, including a defensive player of the year and all-time block leader.
As a player, Pilypaitis competed professionally, including a seven-year stint with Team Canada where she participated in the 2012 Olympic Games in London and on multiple world championship teams. She also played for Vici-Aistes of the Euroleague where she was named Import Player of the Year and Guard of the Year.
Pilypaitis was a standout player at the University of Vermont from 2006–10, where she served as a three-year captain and two-time NCAA tournament participant. She finished her career a three-time America East first team selection, first in program history in games played, 3-point makes, triple doubles and assists, while ranking third in scoring and rebounding.
