February 23, 2009 NetNews

Hello WBCA Member,

As you are closing out your conference schedules and heading into tournament time, we are officially beginning the march to the arch, where the 2009 WBCA National Convention and NCAA Women’s Final Four will convene in St. Louis. Since the last time I wrote you, so much has happened around our game! Let’s catch up…

WBCA’s Megan Smith wins Best Dressed at the Holiday Party

Just before the holiday break, on the invitation of Chris Hoyles (PAC-10) I went to the Big 6 Conference meeting. Associate Commissioners from the ACC, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC huddle up to keep abreast on what’s happening in women’s basketball from a conference perspective.

Dodging major snowstorms, we were still able to get in and have dinner the evening before. I was able to break down the WBCA Legislative Foresight cycle in an effort to perfect the timing so that it can interface better with the timing of each conference’s legislative cycle. We also discussed ways that we can collaborate on growing our sport. Despite the frigid temperatures of Providence, Rhode Island, this was a nice way to wind down before the Holiday break.

Shortly after bringing in the New Year, we welcomed our Betty F. Jaynes Interns Class of 2009 as well as our new Director of Membership, Exhibition and Convention Services, Tip Tucker-Kendall.

It was a nice surprise to have an extra week in the office before heading with Shannon Reynolds (WBCA) to Washington D.C. for the NCAA National Convention. The hotel was true D.C.-style, making me literally feel as though I were George Washington in the boat going over the Potomac River. It was so cold, and I do not ever remember seeing the Potomac freezing on its edges.

When we landed in D.C., you could feel the air of hope. The big buzz was who was staying for the Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday. During the Convention, it was a nice change of pace to listen and evaluate, as I was not scheduled to speak at any breakouts or divisional meetings. Many times I get the most take-home knowledge and insight from simply being able to sit back and take in all that is going on in the collegiate athletic arena.

Dan Beebe (Big 12), Beth and Joe Castiglione (Oklahoma) spend some time at the NCAA National Convention

I was able to spend time with Kathy DeBoer (American Volleyball Coaches Association) and Lacey Lee Baker (National Fastpitch Coaches Association), who both just completed their National Conventions. We tried to learn from each other and put together a contingency plan with the economic impact of what’s happening out there. It was also wonderful to sit down with Sue Donohoe (NCAA), Greg Shaheen (NCAA), Jim Haney (NABC) and Reggie Minton (NABC) and really look at the environment and health of our domain on the intercollegiate athletic level.

I was out to dinner with Carolyn Schlie Femovich (The Patriot League) and some friends and could not believe the “miracle on the Hudson.” We obviously knew how cold it was on the Potomac and to know that a plane landed and some of the passengers did not even get their feet wet just amazed us! We could not even eat dinner because our eyes were glued to watching the footage over and over again.

Our staff took a break to watch the Presidential Inauguration. No matter what your political affiliation, it was such a historical moment. The statement that really struck home for me was when Senator Dianne Feinstein opened up the ceremony with these words: “Those who doubt the supremacy of the ballot over the bullet can never diminish the power engendered by non-violent struggles for justice and equality, like the one that made this day possible.” It was a peaceful transition of power in a respectful way. We truly became a diversified melting pot, a mosaic masterpiece. The feeling of hope, then watching the US airplane safely land, and watching the Inauguration made me fall in love with this country all over again.

For most of January, I was staying in constant contact with Marsha Sharp, the President of the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, trying to stay updated on how Coach Kay Yow was doing. I knew that her health had tremendously declined in the past month or so. I usually do not sleep with my phone on, but I had been doing so for a few weeks.

Then early on January 24 while I was attending the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) mid-winter Board of Directors meeting, I remember vividly the text message alert going off on my phone and speaking to Stephanie Glance (NC State) that Coach Yow had just passed. I quickly got my staff up, who I can’t say enough about, to get ready to send the press release from the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

I so wanted to be huddled up with my staff in Atlanta, but as always they rose to the occasion and were staying in touch with Marsha and I throughout the day, while also keeping Coach Yow’s nation of coaches updated on what was going on.

Once again, I was glued to the TV, watching all of the coverage on Coach Yow’s impact and reach. She never wanted to be in the spotlight, but this was a day we all truly reflected upon her courageous battle both on and off the court. I cannot even begin to describe the flood of emotions I felt, especially being so fresh from my mother’s passing in the fall.


February 23, 2009 WBCA » 4646 Lawrenceville Hwy » Lilburn, GA » 30047 » 770.279.8027
Hello WBCA Member, As you are closing out your conference schedules and heading into tournament time, we are officially beginning the march to the arch, where the 2009 WBCA National Convention and NCAA Women’s Final Four will convene in St. Louis. Since the last time I wrote you, so much has happened around our game! Let’s catch up… WBCA’s Megan Smith wins Best Dressed at the Holiday Party Just before the holiday break, on the invitation of Chris Hoyles (PAC-10) I went to the Big 6 Conference meeting. Associate Commissioners from the ACC, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC huddle up to keep abreast on what’s happening in women’s basketball from a conference perspective. Dodging major snowstorms, we were still able to get in and have dinner the evening before. I was able to break down the WBCA Legislative Foresight cycle in an effort to perfect the timing so that it can interface better with the timing of each conference’s legislative cycle. We also discussed ways that we can collaborate on growing our sport. Despite the frigid temperatures of Providence, Rhode Island, this was a nice way to wind down before the Holiday break. Shortly after bringing in the New Year, we welcomed our Betty F. Jaynes Interns Class of 2009 as well as our new Director of Membership, Exhibition and Convention Services, Tip Tucker-Kendall. BFJ Internship Class of 2009 It was a nice surprise to have an extra week in the office before heading with Shannon Reynolds (WBCA) to Washington D.C. for the NCAA National Convention. The hotel was true D.C.-style, making me literally feel as though I were George Washington in the boat going over the Potomac River. It was so cold, and I do not ever remember seeing the Potomac freezing on its edges. When we landed in D.C., you could feel the air of hope. The big buzz was who was staying for the Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday. During the Convention, it was a nice change of pace to listen and evaluate, as I was not scheduled to speak at any breakouts or divisional meetings. Many times I get the most take-home knowledge and insight from simply being able to sit back and take in all that is going on in the collegiate athletic arena. Dan Beebe (Big 12), Beth and Joe Castiglione (Oklahoma) spend some time at the NCAA National Convention I was able to spend time with Kathy DeBoer (American Volleyball Coaches Association) and Lacey Lee Baker (National Fastpitch Coaches Association), who both just completed their National Conventions. We tried to learn from each other and put together a contingency plan with the economic impact of what’s happening out there. It was also wonderful to sit down with Sue Donohoe (NCAA), Greg Shaheen (NCAA), Jim Haney (NABC) and Reggie Minton (NABC) and really look at the environment and health of our domain on the intercollegiate athletic level. I was out to dinner with Carolyn Schlie Femovich (The Patriot League) and some friends and could not believe the “miracle on the Hudson.” We obviously knew how cold it was on the Potomac and to know that a plane landed and some of the passengers did not even get their feet wet just amazed us! We could not even eat dinner because our eyes were glued to watching the footage over and over again. Our staff took a break to watch the Presidential Inauguration. No matter what your political affiliation, it was such a historical moment. The statement that really struck home for me was when Senator Dianne Feinstein opened up the ceremony with these words: “Those who doubt the supremacy of the ballot over the bullet can never diminish the power engendered by non-violent struggles for justice and equality, like the one that made this day possible.” It was a peaceful transition of power in a respectful way. We truly became a diversified melting pot, a mosaic masterpiece. The feeling of hope, then watching the US airplane safely land, and watching the Inauguration made me fall in love with this country all over again. For most of January, I was staying in constant contact with Marsha Sharp, the President of the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, trying to stay updated on how Coach Kay Yow was doing. I knew that her health had tremendously declined in the past month or so. I usually do not sleep with my phone on, but I had been doing so for a few weeks. Then early on January 24 while I was attending the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) mid-winter Board of Directors meeting, I remember vividly the text message alert going off on my phone and speaking to Stephanie Glance (NC State) that Coach Yow had just passed. I quickly got my staff up, who I can’t say enough about, to get ready to send the press release from the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. I so wanted to be huddled up with my staff in Atlanta, but as always they rose to the occasion and were staying in touch with Marsha and I throughout the day, while also keeping Coach Yow’s nation of coaches updated on what was going on. Once again, I was glued to the TV, watching all of the coverage on Coach Yow’s impact and reach. She never wanted to be in the spotlight, but this was a day we all truly reflected upon her courageous battle both on and off the court. I cannot even begin to describe the flood of emotions I felt, especially being so fresh from my mother’s passing in the fall.	I was anxious to get back in the office when I found out the arrangements and to make plans to attend the services. I was able to catch the NC State ball game on Thursday against Boston College, their first game back. I walked in the arena and smelled the aroma of the gym and the ball, and felt the support of the crowd; it was truly tremendous. I felt at home and like we could make it through this because she would certainly want us to. When I walked out of the gym that night, I remembered a time two years ago when I attended their Hoops for Hope game. At that time, there’s no way we thought Coach Yow would make it two more years. I was standing there after her miraculous return to the court and no one would leave the gym. She was on the mic, literally thanking every single person in the gym, and all of a sudden she says, “I just want to say one more thing. You ball kids, you did a great job tonight too!” I remember thinking that she even took time to thank the ball kids. We’ve got it all covered now Coach Yow. It made me smile, and I tucked that in the back of my mind to help get through the next couple of days. As Lyle Lovett says, “It’s a shame we only get together for funerals and weddings.” It is unfortunate that many times this is the case, but the fellowship that takes place is really just irreplaceable time with dear friends. On Thursday evening, I hung out with Marsha Sharp, Jill Pizzotti (Nike) and the N.C. State staff just to share our many memories of Coach Yow and how she impacted each of our lives. The next morning, the flood of coaches at the celebration started at 9:00 a.m. Many of them flew in just to pay their respects and had to leave right after without staying for the services. What an amazing testament this was to the influence she had on our sport. Hearing Coach Yow speak that day was so powerful. Not even her own funeral was about her, but she made it about telling us of her faith. Again, we stayed up late telling Coach Yow stories, not wanting to go to bed and leave each other’s support as a group. The burial on Saturday was cold, somber and emotional. To see those players lined up in front of the bus, aching from the loss of their leader and mentor was gut wrenching. There will be many stories of what teams around the nation have done to honor Coach Yow, but one sticks out in my mind. Virginia Tech Donates Over 26K to Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund When I heard that the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team donated their per diem to the Fund, it reiterated in my mind how Coach Yow has made coaching a noble profession. It made me proud and I felt privileged to be a part of it. After an emotionally-draining few days, I headed back to Atlanta for a bit to prepare for the mock-bracketing exercise in Indianapolis with the NCAA. Beth Bass, Muffet McGraw and Beth Mowins have their game-face on for Mock-Bracketing This is the second year that the NCAA has put together this exercise, in an effort to educate our coaches, administration and media about the extensive process that goes into selecting the 64 teams that play in the NCAA Tournament. Please take a minute to read Charlie Crème’s article on mock-bracketing by clicking here. Many of you may not know that I do my own stunts, and at the “dare” of Machelle Joseph (Georgia Tech) I jumped (no diving…risk management!) off of six diving boards with the highest dive at 10 meters on the Georgia Tech campus. I raised $600 for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, in partnership with The V Foundation. Beth pauses for photo opp. before one of her 6 jumps Donning my best WBCA Pink Zone attire, I was surrounded by an audience including Stephanie Glance and staff along with the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team and coaching staff. I am now accepting more challenges to raise money for the Fund in honor of Coach Yow! The WBCA staff attended Georgia Tech’s WBCA Pink Zone game and had an outstanding time. The in-arena experience filled with pink uniforms, breast cancer survivors, fans in pink and so much more, reminded us why this initiative is so important! We are able to captivate an audience with a message much more important and valuable than winning or losing. Please remember to send in your post-event WBCA Pink Zone information by clicking here. That closes out this edition of Net.News. Don’t forget that awards deadlines will be here before you know it! Click here for deadlines to mark on your calendar. Also, remember that the 2009 WBCA National Convention Pre-Registration deadline is February 28. Click here to register today! Good luck to you all as you wind down in conference play and prepare for tournament time. See you in St. Louis! Until next time… Your CEO, Beth Bass
Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™ & WBCA Pink Zone™	Sponsor News
Be a part of the solution! Join in the fight against cancer by supporting the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™. Click here for more information. Make your tax deductible donation now! Don't forget to send in your post event information by clicking here!	New opportunity....Need a mover? Click here Attention! Check out the WBCA bookstore where you'll find the new release Coaching Basketball Technical and Tactical Skills, plus other must-have basketball resources from the American Sport Education Program and Human Kinetics. Click here to visit the WBCA bookstore. Still seeking an assistant coach? Make your first stop the WBCA Career Center listed under Resource on WBCA.org. You can also view new job listings and post your resume, open dates and camps.

Rosenkrantz Reaches 1,000 to Lead UVM Past UMBC in Women's Basketball Vermont senior Amy Rosenkrantz(Tempe, Ariz.) scored a team-high 14 points, including her 1,000th career point, and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Catamounts past UMBC, 73-49, at RAC Arena in America East women’s basketball action. Paris sets new DI rebounding mark Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris became the all-time rebounding leader February 8 in her team’s 93-75 win over Big 12 Conference rival Oklahoma State. Summitt earns 1,000th victory, signs $1.4M, 5-year contract Tennessee's Pat Summitt became the first Division I basketball coach -- men's or women's -- to win 1,000 career games night as her 12th-ranked Lady Vols beat Georgia 73-43. She has signed a contract extension that will keep her at Tennessee through 2014, which would be her 40th season as Lady Volunteers coach. Newman coach makes fast-break rescue After leading her team in a practice on Thursday, February 12, Newman coach Tracy Anderson and her student-athletes witnessed a serious single-car accident on a busy exit ramp in San Antonio. Anderson found the injured driver unconscious and bleeding from the mouth. The door was locked and the window was up, so Anderson and a few of the players who disregarded her orders to stay in the van joined another passerby in breaking the window and freeing the injured man. North Dakota coach gets contract extension through 2012 The University of North Dakota says women's basketball coach Gene Roebuck has signed a contract extension through June 30, 2012. Roebuck is in his 22nd season at UND with a 557-93 record. Holy Family coach gets 400th victory Holy Family women's basketball coach Mike McLaughlin collected his 400th victory as the Tigers beat the University of the Sciences, 64-47, in a Central Atlantic College Conference game at the Bobby Morgan Arena in University City.	Webster officially names Olufson Head Coach Jordan Olufson had the ‘acting’ portion of his job title removed as Webster University Athletic Director Tom Hart named him the Gorloks’ women’s basketball coach. Quesenberry Named Interim Women's Basketball Coach Luke M. Ruppel resigned as Vassar’s women’s basketball coach due to personal reasons. He resigned 14 games into the season with the team at 2-12. The school said Ruppel will immediately be replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Summer Quesenberry, who has coached the Brewers to both of their wins this season. Two SAU Women's Basketball Players Reach 1,000-Point Mark In the last month, two St. Ambrose University women’s basketball players have reached the 1,000-point mark. And the best news for St. Ambrose fans – neither player is a senior. Junior Jenny Clark reached the milestone first, dropping in her 1,000th career point in an 82-70 win at Ashford University on January 21. Just 17 days later, on February 7, sophomore Ali Dolphin netted her 1,000th career point in a 56-55 win over Viterbo University. Emily Thomassen Joins 1,000 Point Club In front of a Homecoming crowd on February 7, junior Emily Thomassen (Holland, Michigan) scored her 1,000th career point. Thomassen entered the game against Illinois Institute of Technology needing just three points to reach the mark and got them on a three-point basket with 13:09 on the clock in the first period. Hawaii women's athletics loses its champion Former Hawaii women's athletic director Dr. Donnis Thompson, a pioneer and champion of women's sports for over four decades, died in Leahi Hospital. She was 75. Thompson arrived at UH in 1961 to develop and coach the first Wahine track and field team, a position she held for three years. She returned to Hawaii in 1972 as the school's first women's athletic director and served in that capacity until 1981, when she became the Hawaii state superintendent of education. Former Oklahoma women's basketball coach Hudson dies at 59 Gary Hudson, the first coach of Oklahoma's women's basketball team after the program was reinstated, has died. He was 59. Hudson was hired to coach the Sooners in 1990 after the program was briefly eliminated by university administrators. He went 39-45 in three seasons before resigning after an inquiry by the NCAA. He then coached at Shawnee High School for five years before his health forced him into early retirement.
WBCA Important Dates to Remember
February is Black History Month February 23, 2009 Ballots online for NCAA Division II and III, NAIA and JC/CC State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team and RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year February 27, 2009 WBCA National Convention Pre-Registration Deadline March 4, 2009 Nomination deadline at 5 p.m. ET for Division I State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team and Division I RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year	March 5, 2009 Ballots online for NCAA Division I State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team and Division I RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year March 6, 2009 Victory Club nominations due by 5 p.m. ET March 16, 2009 Deadline to vote for NCAA Division I State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team and NCAA Division I RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year by 5 p.m. ET. April 3 - April 7, 2009 2009 WBCA National Convention April 3-5, 2009 WBCA’s So You Want To Be A Coach
Buzzer Beaters	A Special Message from Jostens
Attention! 2009 WBCA National Convention Pre-registration ends soon! Register and secure your hotel reservations today! Don't miss this exciting event: Tickets for the 2009 High School All-America Game presented by Nike are on sale NOW! Click here to purchase your tickets today! Coaching Changes: As you have coaching changes, please keep the WBCA informed.
Membership Information
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
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