Steve Silsby  Hometown:  North Tonawanda, NY  College:  Arizona State University  Years at UGF:  5th (4th as Head Coach)  Email:  ssilsby01@ugf.edu Men's Basketball Head Coach

Steve Silsby enters his fourth season as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Great Falls in 2009. After spending one year as an assistant at UGF, Steve was selected to replace Antonio Veloso after his departure in 2006.  Since taking over as Head Coach, Silsby has mentored several All-Frontier Conference selections, one Honorable Mention NAIA All-American, several Academic All-Conference selections and one NAIA Academic All-American.  His additional duties include his service as the Head Men's & Women's Golf Coach at UGF.   Steve came to UGF after spending three years at Scottsdale Community College serving as the assistant men’s basketball coach and assistant athletic director. He also served two years as the assistant men’s basketball coach and intramural director at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, where the Lions participated in the NJCAA I National Tournament both years.  At Arkansas-Fort Smith, Silsby worked under current University of Nebraska Head Coach Doc Sadler. Prior to his time in the JUCO ranks, Steve spent 5 years working for the Arizona State University men's basketball program as a student assistant coach. During his time in Tempe, the Sun Devils advanced to the 1995 NCAA national tournament beating Wagner College and Ball State University before bowing out to Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen.   As a high school player, Silsby lettered from 1984-87 for Coach Joe Merlo's North Tonawanda Lumberjacks in his hometown of North Tonawanda, NY.  During his time at NTHS, Silsby appeared in 53 games while scoring 477 points (9.0 ppg) and dishing out 261 assists (4.7 apg).   Steve is married to his wife Carrie of 8 years and together they have three children; Bennett (6), Barron (3), and Brady (1).

UGF Coaching Record   Season     Wins      Losses       Frontier National Rank              2006-2007   12   19   8th Place Not Ranked      2007-2008   8   19   8th Place Not Ranked     2008-2009   8   23   7th Place Not Ranked     2009-2010                   Career   28   61

Mike Miranto  Hometown:  North Tonawanda, NY  College:  Buffalo State College  Years at UGF  3rd  Email:  mmiranto01@ugf.edu Men's Basketball Assistant Coach/SID

Mike Miranto enters his third year as the lead assistant at UGF.  Miranto is involved with all aspects of the program including scouting of oppoonents, recruiting, coordinating film exchange, scheduling, overseeing the program's administrative duties, and on-floor coaching, where he's most directly involved with the team's post players.  Miranto has also carried other duties on campus including Assistant Student Life Coordinator (2007-08), Intramural Coordinator (2008-09) and Sports Information Director (Aug. 2009-present).    Miranto arrived at UGF after three seasons as the Head Junior Varsity Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach at North Tonawanda High School (NTHS) in suburban Buffalo, NY. In his three seasons on the staff at NTHS, Miranto aided in the development of several all-league players. Miranto was also an assistant on the school's football coaching staff for two seasons and was a coach in the Niagara Hoops Salukis AAU Basketball Program.   As a player at NTHS, Miranto was a four-year letterman for Coach Gregg Ross' Lumberjacks and finished his career as the school's second all-time leading scorer with 1292 points while establishing school records for games played (84), three-point shots (122), assists (317) and steals (210). He was twice named to the All-Niagara Frontier League First Team as well as a two-time Honorable Mention All-Western New York selection and two-time Tonawanda News Area Player of the Year.  Miranto helped the Lumberjacks to a 29-14 record over his final two seasons and a top10 ranking in the final Western New York Large School Poll conducted by The Buffalo News in 2000.  Miranto was also a three-year letterman for the school's football team playing QB/WR/DB and establishing a new school record for most interceptions (12).   After high school, Miranto competed at the NCAA Division III level for Buffalo State College (NY) from 2001-2004.  As a freshman, Miranto finished in the top 10 of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) in three-point field goal percentage.  The crowning achievement of his collegiate career came in 2003 as he helped the Bengals to the SUNYAC Championship, capturing an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

Keithan Gregg  Hometown:  Cut Bank, MT  College:  University of Great Falls  Years at UGF:  1st  Email:  kgregg02@ugf.edu Men's Basketball Assistant Coach

Keithan Gregg joins the men's basketball staff at the University of Great Falls for the 2009-2010 season after completing his playing career for the Argos this past season.  Gregg's main responsibility will be as the Head Junior Varsity Coach while also assisting the varsity team with scouting, recruiting and on-floor coaching, and will be most directly involved with the team's backcourt players.   Prior to his time at UGF, Gregg enjoyed one of the most notable prep careers in recent state history at Cut Bank High School.  On the basketball court, Gregg led Coach Brian Kavanagh's Wolves to a 27-0 record and the 2003 Class B State Championship.  For his efforts, Gregg was named the Cass B State Tournament MVP.  In addition to his heroics on the hardwood, Gregg was a four-time state tennis champion.   Following high school, Gregg initially attended Eastern Washington University on a tennis scholarship.  After one year at EWU, Gregg returned to basketball in 2005-06 as at the University of Great Falls, where he went on to lead all of NAIA Division I in assists with 230.  Following the departure of former UGF Head Coach Antonio Veloso, Gregg returned to Eastern Washington to again pursue his tennis career, only to return to UGF the following year, where he completed his basketball career, competing for the Argos from 2007-2009.  All told, in three seasons for the Argos, Gregg appeared in 84 games, scored 682 points (8.1 ppg), and dished out a school-record 452 assists (5.4 apg).  Gregg was also selected as a three-time Academic All-Conference selection in the Frontier Conference.

Cody Gillespie  Hometown:  Great Falls, MT  College:  Montana State-Northern  Years at UGF:  3rd  Email:  cgillespie@universalathletic.com Men's Basketball Assistant Coach

Cody Gillespie enters his third year as a volunteer assistant on the men’s basketball coaching staff in 2009.  Gillespie came to UGF after completing his college playing career at Frontier Conference rival Montana State University-Northern.  Gillespie is a native of Great Falls and played his high school basketball right here in the Electric City for the Bison of Great Falls High School.   In his four seasons for the Lights, Gillespie was a vocal leader and role player, with an emphasis on “old school” basketball.  His career totals include 88 games played, 360 points (4.1 ppg) and 204 rebounds (2.3 rpg).  Gillespie graduated from MSU-Northern in 2007 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Technology, and minors in Small Business Management and Marketing. He is now a Team/Commercial salesman for Universal Athletic Service right here in Great Falls.     Gillespie will be involved in all aspects of the program at UGF, including on-floor coaching, recruiting and scouting of opponents.