RUSTON - Louisiana Tech head coach Kurt Budke announced Wednesday that he has promoted Christie Sides to assistant coach for the upcoming basketball season.

Sides' promotion follows a one-year stint as the Lady Techster administrative assistant, a position she filled following two years as the assistant coach at Ruston High School.

The 26-year-old lettered for the Lady Techsters from 1998 through 2000 while helping guide Tech to a 61-6 mark and playing an instrumental role in the program's national championship game appearance in 1999.

"The opportunity to be an assistant coach for the Lady Techster basketball program is a dream come true," Sides said. "I can't thank Coach Budke enough for taking a chance on me and giving me this wonderful opportunity. I love this program and want to do my part to help it remain among the nation's elite. I plan on doing everything possible to make sure it stays that way."

During her playing days at Tech, Sides started 38 games while averaging 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. The former Central Private High School prep star still ranks No. 1 in career three-point field goal percentage at Tech at 44.8 percent as well as No. 7 in career three-pointers made (69) and No. 9 in career three-pointers attempted (154).

Following her two seasons at Ruston where she helped Ricky Durrett and the Lady Bearcats advance to the LHSAA Sweet 16 in 2001 and regionals in 2002, Sides returned to the Techster sideline as the administrative assistant on Budke's staff.

The Baker, La., native's responsibilities last year included team travel, film exchange and on-campus recruiting for a Techster squad that finished 31-3, ranked No. 6 in the country and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Budke said he feels confident in his decision to promote Sides.

"We are very excited about Christie's promotion," Budke said. "I have complete faith in her abilities. There is no doubt in my mind that she is an up and coming star in the coaching profession. She's not afraid to work and I've been pleased with what she has done. She deserves this promotion."

Sides' new responsibilities will include recruiting, scouting reports and working with the Techster guards in practice.

Budke said he plans to hire a graduate assistant to fill the administrative assistant void left by Sides' promotion.