Hello WBCA members!

So much has happened in the world of women's basketball since I last checked-in with you all. This installment of Net.News, the bi-monthly account of my travels and activities as your CEO of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), is a memorable one each year because it is just following the most exciting time of year - March Madness!

Before the madness began, I went to see Sherri Coale (University of Oklahoma). It had been quite a while since I traveled to Oklahoma, but my first experience seeing the Paris twins at the collegiate level was well-worth the trip. They have definitely grown since their WBCA debut in the High School All-America Game presented by Nike.

Then I was off to the RUSSELL ATHLETIC sales meeting, which was held in Knoxville, Tenn., at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. There are few people that can make me look good, and Pat Summitt (University of Tennessee) is one of them. I brought her along for my show-and-tell to RUSSELL ATHLETIC, and I am positive that she helped to spark their three-year renewal with us!

From there, I went to Myles Brand's women's basketball discussion group, held in Indianapolis. I was very impressed that even at the end of February heading into a frenzied time of year, Kristy Curry (now at Texas Tech) came over from Purdue and Geno Auriemma (University of Connecticut) flew in after his game on Monday evening versus Rutgers. They were both very engaged in the discussion group. We all really appreciated Geno's resilience to make it to the meeting after the car service took Geno to the NCAA distribution center and supply house by mistake.

Truly one of the highlights of my career was to be in Lubbock for Coach Marsha Sharp's (formerly head coach at Texas Tech) last regular season home game against the University of Oklahoma after announcing her resignation on February 24. We have already thought of half-a-dozen worthy committees for her to serve on. What a moment it was to walk into that arena with a sold-out crowd of 14,000, especially as the Sooners tipped-off the emotional evening coming out to warm up in T-shirts that paid tribute to Marsha Sharp and the Lady Raider nation. That was a very special moment between two outstanding programs and class-act coaches.

As we prepared for the lockdown before heading straight down the road to Boston, I took a breather and headed to the NCAA Division III Championship Banquet in Springfield, Mass. The banquet honored the Final Four participants, including the University of Southern Maine, Hardin-Simmons University, Hope College (national champions) and the University of Scranton.


Beth Speaks at the 2006 NCAA Division III
Banquet

It was so refreshing to step foot into the Naismith Hall of Fame and to sit amongst an atrium of shadowboxes with all the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductees above you. Not only is it quite the backdrop for the birthplace of basketball, but it is a great backdrop for the banquet as well. There was one particular picture directly over me - the late Sue Gunter. I felt like she was perched up there looking down to see if we are being good caretakers of the sport. I assured her we were!

Next, I was off to Hot Springs, Ark., for the NCAA Division II Championship Banquet, recognizing the Elite Eight Teams in the tournament, which included St. Cloud State University, Shaw University, Emporia State, American International College, California State University - Chico, Henderson State, University of Charleston and Grand Valley State University (national champions). This was an enjoyable experience also as I announced the winners of our renowned awards at the NCAA Division II level.

Members of the NCAA Division II 25th Anniversary Team:
Carla Eades (Central Missouri State, Kasey Morlock
(North Dakota State), Coach Amy Ruley (North
Dakota State), Beth Bass, Niki Bracken (California State Poly) ,
Jenny Crouse (North Dakota) and Michelle Cottrell (Northern
Kentucky).

Finally, it was off to Boston, Mass., for the grand finale to a wonderful and exciting season of women's basketball. Boston served as our cradle of democracy and the cradle of the WBCA for a week. I am so proud of the city that I called home for nine years of my career.

The Boston Local Organizing Committee was definitely one of the best that we have ever worked with. The hard work that was put into making all of these combined events possible was undeniably evident. The transportation to and from each venue was more than convenient (as long as you did not side-step into one of the many stores in the shopping mall!)

From the opening event at our Reebok Welcome Party (what a party!) to our closing event with the Orbitz USA TODAY ESPN WBCA Coaches' Trophy presentation, my staff and the board did a wonderful job in preparing for and carrying out each event. Congratulations to Coach Brenda Frese and the Lady Terrapins of the University of Maryland!

The Maryland Terrapins and head coach Brenda Frese won
their first NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship
with a 78-75 overtime win against Duke. They are pictured here
with the Orbitz USA Today ESPN WBCA Coaches' Trophy
after their big win.

One highlight that sticks out in my mind from the 2006 WBCA National Convention was the panel that was presented by AstraZeneca following our RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year Luncheon. I was so flattered that our very own WBCA breast cancer survivors Kay Yow (N.C. State), Amy Ruley (North Dakota State) and Kathy Delaney-Smith (Harvard) did not hesitate to share the stories that are so personal to them. Kay Yow said it best by stating, "I don't pray anymore to do great things, I pray to do better things. Now everyday of my life following my diagnosis and recurrence seems to be in vivid color, whereas before I did not take time to appreciate the small things." I would like to personally thank you for your strength and leadership.

AstraZeneca Breast Health Panel Discussion
Beth Bass, Kay Yow (Panelist-North Carolina State),
Dr. Lisa Weissmann, Rebecca Lobo (Emcee), RuthAnn Lobo,
(Panelist), Kathy Delaney-Smith (Panelist-Harvard),
Amy Ruley (Panelist-North Dakota State) and Scarlett
Spring (AstraZeneca).

Immediately following the 25th WBCA National Convention, ESPN and the WNBA did a great job with the 2006 WNBA draft, held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. I thought two understated moments were the drafting of the State Farm/WBCA NCAA Division II Player of the Year, Jennifer Harris, and the top-senior vote getter for the State Farm/WBCA NAIA Player of the Year, Mariam Sy. Harris showcased her talents on Saturday, April 1, in the "WBCA Night of All-Stars" while Sy unfortunately had to sit out due to a recent injury. One of our main efforts with our All-Star Challenge game is to provide a stage for future stars and opportunities that might not have been present otherwise.


Cathy Inglese (Boston College), Sylvia Hatchell
(North Carolina) and Beth at the 2006 WNBA
Draft.

With the controlled chaos of convention finally coming to a halt, I jumped on a plane following the draft after grabbing one final cup of clam chowder at Legal Seafood. Along with the chowder, it was an opportunity to digest the last month and especially the last seven days in Boston.

I landed in Atlanta, Ga., and was walking into my condo when my phone rang and it was WBCA President Doug Bruno (DePaul), which was not unusual. I literally spent almost every waking hour with Doug while in Boston. He told me that he was diverting his trip to Chicago, and instead was heading to New York where his former assistant, Maggie Dixon (Army), was fighting for her life.

We all talk about how fragile life is, but she was definitely one of those sparkling talents. My initial response was complete shock, after we had just shared such a hearty, gut-wrenching laugh Saturday night at the WNBA party. Maggie and I had joked at how hard we were working Doug as WBCA President. It was one of those rare moments that you freeze-frame in your mind and that you will always be able to recall in an instant. She touched so many in a short amount of time. We will miss you Maggie. Godspeed.

We do not share enough on the touching and most memorable moments in sports. Jean Lenti Ponsetto, the Athletic Director at DePaul University, had some insight on the healing process and coordinated a dinner for the Army women's basketball team and DePaul's team on the eve of the service in West Hollywood. It is soul stirring to know that even getting through the most difficult times is a team effort.

I would like to end with one more well wish to Marsha Sharp, my friend and mentor. Marsha Sharp irrefutably built Texas Tech basketball. Her popularity and legacy is something you cannot imagine until you have been in Lubbock, Texas. At five o'clock in the morning as I am in the cab, even the driver could truly recite Marsha's entire bio. I sarcastically thought…It will be business-as-usual as life goes on here at Texas Tech…Yes, that is what I thought as I rode out of town on the Marsha Sharp Freeway!

Thank you all for making the 2005-2006 women's basketball season an unforgettable one and thank you for 25 great years! Until next time…

Your CEO,

Beth Bass

Texas Tech's Marsha Sharp Resigns
Texas Tech's Marsha Sharp announced her resignation as head coach of the women's basketball program on Feb. 24, which was effective at the end of the 2005-06 season. Sharp had been at the helm of the Lady Raider basketball program for the last 24 years.Sharp resigns as the longest tenure coach at Texas Tech.

Kristy Curry Named Coach at Texas Tech
Texas Tech athletics director Gerald Myers announced today the hiring of Kristy Curry as head women's basketball coach. Curry takes over the Lady Raider basketball program after serving the last seven years as the head coach at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. Curry becomes just the fifth head coach in the history of women's basketball at Texas Tech.

Versyp Returning to Purdue
Former player Sharon Versyp will return to Purdue as the women's basketball coach after one year at rival Indiana. She succeeds Kristy Curry, who resigned to become the coach at Texas Tech. Versyp was a four-year starter at Purdue.

Legette-Jack to Coach at Indiana
Felisha Legette-Jack was named the head coach at Indiana University on April 19. Legette-Jack, 39, signed a five-year contract that will pay her a base salary of $175,000 per year plus incentives, IU athletic director Rick Greenspan said. She takes over for Sharon Versyp, who departed the Hoosiers earlier this month after one season to take the job at Purdue.

Former Indiana Coach Dies
A former Indiana women's basketball coach, whom the school paid to settle a discrimination lawsuit four years ago, committed suicide at his Florida home, a medical examiner said. Jim Izard, 57, coached IU from 1989 to 2000, compiling a 188-159 record.

USF Hoops Coach Resigns
Mary Hile-Nepfel resigned March 7 after 19 seasons as women's basketball coach at San Francisco, her alma mater. Hile-Nepfel is the winningest coach in the program's history, going 270-264 and reaching three straight NCAA tournaments from 1995-97.

Dagostino Resigns at Jacksonville State
Jacksonville State head women's basketball coach Dave Dagostino resigned on March 28, ending the coach's six-year tenure with the school. Dagostino finished his three year reign as head coach with a 44-41 career record.

Former WNBA Player to Coach at Ohio
Former WNBA and North Carolina star Sylvia Crawley is the new women's basketball coach at Ohio University. Crawley led North Carolina to the national championship in 1994, earning the Final Four outstanding player award. Crawley spent last season as the top assistant at Fordham, filling in as interim head coach after the retirement of Jim Lewis.

Mattox Leaves Mars Hill College
Mandy Mattox has resigned her position as head women's basketball coach at Mars Hill College, athletic director David Riggins announced on March 15. Mattox chose to step down to spend more time with her family, her husband Charlie and son Rob.

Thanks to all the coaches who stopped by the AthleticLink.com booth to drop off their resumes and job openings. Remember to go to WBCA.org to see new job listings everyday and to post your resume, open dates and camps.

Let your athletes know about an opportunity for extra training to gain the upper edge on your opponent by working on your linear and lateral foot speed, lateral explosion, balance, stabilization, strength and conditioning to dramatically improve their game. Camp dates are May 12-14, June 23-25, July 21-23 and August 11-13 in Knoxville, Tenn. Contact Jackie Ansley of Performance Training at 865-531-5092 for more information.

New Balance and the WBCA would like to thank you for making this year's New Balance/WBCA Viewing Party the best yet! Jillians will never be the same. Thank you for your continued support of New Balance. For more information regarding New Balance product, go to www.newbalance.com or call Larry Brady, Team Sports Director of Sales at 617-746-2557.

April 28, 2006:
WBCA Election Ballots Deadline

April 28 - 29, 2006:
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inductions

May 8, 2006:
WBCA Conference Captains - NCAA Division II and III Conference Call- 11 a.m. ET and 12 p.m. ET

May 2 - 5, 2006:
NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Committee Meeting

May 15, 2006: WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll Nomination Forms online @ WBCA.org

June 1-3, 2006:
Black Coaches Association National Convention

June 5, 2006:
WBCA Conference Captains - NCAA Division I Conference Call - Noon ET

For information regarding these dates, the WBCA, or any of the WBCA programs, please contact:
WBCA
4646 Lawrenceville Highway
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 279-8027 :: Office
(770) 279-8473 :: Fax
wbca@wbca.org