Danielle Gratton
	Position: Director of Basketball Operations Experience: 2nd Season

Former Illinois and Ball State standout forward Danielle Gratton enters her second year as the Northern Illinois Director of Women's Basketball Operations.

"My staff and I work hard, but Danielle can put us all to shame with her work ethic," Head coach Kathi Bennett said when Gratton joined the staff on Aug. 6, 2010. "As a player she was known for her work ethic, and she has brought that into the professional world. She is eager to learn, passionate about coaching, and so hungry."

A native of Bethel Park, Pa., Gratton served as the basketball operations intern for the WNBA's Atlanta Dream prior to arriving in DeKalb. For the Dream, she held budget and equipment responsibilities. Grant also assisted in film and statistical analysis of practices and games, and served in various other roles.

Gratton holds experience in both the state of Illinois and Mid-American Conference. As a player, she spent her first three seasons at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign before transferring to finish her career at Ball State. A third-team All-MAC selection as a senior, Gratton collected a multitude of academic honors during her playing career. Her scholarly awards included ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District, Academic All-Big Ten and Academic All-MAC.