PEORIA, Ill. - Paula Buscher added a familiar face to the Bradley Women's Basketball staff today with the announcement that former Braves men's basketball manager Michael Peplow has been named the Director of Women's Basketball Operations.

"I am excited to add a young man of such quality to our staff," said Buscher.  "Michael has a passion for basketball and for Bradley University, as well as a great work ethic.  That combination certainly will benefit the Bradley women's basketball program."

Peplow, who was a student manager for five seasons, served as the head manager for Jim Les' Bradley men's basketball program for each of the last three seasons.  While assisting the Bradley men's program, Peplow supervised a six student managers, assisted with film breakdown, helped coordinate transportation and lodging for road games and arranged team meals on game days.

In addition to his team responsibilities, Peplow also worked as a counselor, coach and administrator for the Jim Les Boys Basketball Camps each of the last five summers.  Among his camp duties, Peplow helped coordinate the use of multiple on- and off-campus facilities, supervised an eight-team league and administered the camp concessions.

Many of his managerial duties for the Bradley men's basketball program the last five years will carry over to his duties for the Bradley women's basketball program, including film breakdown, travel coordination and the supervision of the student manager program.

"I'm excited to have this opportunity to join Coach Buscher's program," said Peplow.  "It's been fun to watch the rise of the program the last two years and I look forward to being a part of the team's continued success."

A native of nearby Morton, Ill., Peplow prepared for his Bradley roles by serving as a boys basketball student manager at Peoria Notre Dame High School from 2001-05.  While successfully balancing his time between basketball and studies, he earned his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Bradley University last month.