30 Under 30

March 25, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF assistant coach Joe Silvestri received a special honor Friday as one of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Thirty Under 30.

The WBCA’s inaugural class recognizes 30 of the up-and-coming women's basketball coaches age 30 and under in the sport at all levels of the game.

“The WBCA has created a new program to recognize up and coming talent in our coaching family. The 30 coaches who have been named Thirty Under 30 are deserving of this recognition, and the WBCA congratulates them for distinguishing themselves early in their careers,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “These coaches have demonstrated eagerness, effectiveness, loyalty, love of the game, and a commitment to the student-athlete. We celebrate their effort on the basketball court as teachers and equally applaud the extensive role they play in impacting the lives of their student-athletes.”

Silvestri is one of six men and one of 12 Division I coaches to make the cut.

“I am humbled and appreciative to the WBCA for considering me worthy of this honor,” Silvestri said. “I love this game and I’ve been blessed with opportunities to grow as a young professional here at UCF. I would like to thank those who have believed in me and mentored me thus far in my career, as well as my family for supporting me and my goals.”

Silvestri has served as an assistant coach for UCF for the last two years. He was promoted to the position in May 2014 after spending two years as the director of program development. In 2014-15, Silvestri witnessed guard Zykira Lewis earn all-conference honors after claiming UCF’s single-season 3-point field goals record.

The UCF grad just completed his fifth season with the Knights. During his undergrad days, he got his start as a team manager.

Complete 30 Under 30 List

Story by Jenna Marina