Blue Star Operations

Rachel Galligan

Rachel Galligan joined Blue Star Basketball in 2015 after being one of the �shooting stars� in the industry before stepping away from the college game. She spent her last three years at Ball State University but had opportunities at two different BCS conferences, but chose a different career path away from the college sidelines. The college world�s loss is Blue Star�s gain.

Galligan was an instrumental part of the turnaround at Ball State under Coach Bradee Sallee as she played a big part in the recruitment of Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year forward Nathalie Fontaine. In 2013-14, Galligan assisted the Cardinals to a thrilling run to the 2014 Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game, the Ball State women�s basketball team made its second-straight trip to the 2014 Women�s National Invitational Tournament and fifth overall in program history.

The Cardinals became postseason eligible by winning seven of its final eight games en route to advancing to the MAC Tournament championship game for the first time since winning it all in 2009. In the semifinals of the MAC Tournament, Ball State scored a thrilling 73-55 win over 25th-ranked Bowling Green. The Cardinals then lost to No. 3 Akron 79-68 in the title game.

In her first season at Ball State, Galligan helped the Cardinals reach the Final 16 of the 2013 Women�s National Invitation Tournament with a roster featuring just seven healthy players over the final 11 games, and as few as six at one point in the season. Galligan also helped Ball State post one of the most dramatic turnarounds in MAC history as the Cardinals earned the No. 2 seed in the MAC Tournament with a 12-4 league mark.

Prior to Ball State, Galligan spent two seasons as the assistant coach at her alma mater Eastern Illinois, where she was a student-athlete from 2005-09 under the tutelage of Ball State head coach Brady Sallee. She was a highly decorated player for the Panthers, finishing her career as the all-time leading scorer (1,891), all-time single season scoring leader (582) and all-time shot blocker (185). She was a top 10 finalist for the Lowe�s Senior Class Award, a Women�s Basketball Coaches Association Region Four All-American, a Three-Time Ohio Valley All-Conference recipient, OVC Freshman of the Year and a two-time OVC All-Tournament Team honoree. Galligan also participated on the EIU�s track and field team, winning the 2007 OVC Championship in the javelin.

The Central Illinois native spent a season as a player professional basketball in Huelva, Spain in the fall of 2009. She presently resides in Colorado and has spent time on television doing commentary during this chapter of her career.