Hello WBCA members!
It has been a few months since I last touched base with you all, but everything is still going full steam ahead as we take advantage of the offseason. We have made good traction on various endeavors, including the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, our marketing opportunities and the growth of our game as a whole.
Before going straight back to work after the WBCA National Convention in Tampa Bay, Florida, I was able to sneak off to my favorite hideaway Key West for a few days. Unfortunately, it was cut short as I headed to my hometown where I lost a dear friend of the family after 60 years, Shirley Coward. I was not related to her but you can imagine the affection if I called her Aunt Shirley. You cannot choose your family, but you can choose your friends that become your family.
I was still able to make it to the Black Women’s Sports Foundation Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, at the invitation of Raye Pond (Raywells Event Management & Marketing Company). I took part in a panel discussion with Dr. Charlotte Westerhaus (NCAA) and Dr. Alpha Alexander (Black Women’s Sports Foundation) with moderator Robin Martin (Cincinnati). It was a great conference and I really enjoyed being included.
Beth Bass, the Boltons and friends at the Black Women's Sports Foundation Convention.
I was inspired by Felicia Hall-Allen’s (Felicia Hall-Allen & Associates) closing session where she challenged us to continue the quest to get minorities more involved with the WBCA and our leadership council. The highlight was seeing Ruthie Bolton (former Auburn player and Olympian), Mae Ola Bolton (former Auburn player), and the rest of the Bolton clan. I have known them for many years when they played at Auburn, followed their careers and consider them wonderful people in my life. With the Boltons’ in my back pocket every day, nothing can get you down! They sang in a way that they created a revival atmosphere – they are truly amazing.
Next, I was back in Atlanta for a post-action report from our marketing partners, Fishbait Marketing. It was gratifying to recap how much the marketing world has expanded over the past year and how many new opportunities we now have to market around our new WBCA initiatives.
While I was in town, I attended the NCAA Women’s Basketball Issues Committee
meeting. I was delighted to be able to sleep in my own bed and drive a mile to downtown Atlanta for the meeting.
My major goals in attending this meeting were: to get another very qualified chair selected [which was achieved as the Committee selected Nora Lynn Finch (formerly of NC State – now ACC) to take the reins after Carolyn Schlie Femovich (Patriot League) stepped down following her term]; to get our two pieces of legislation from our Division I Business Meeting endorsed by the Committee; and to beat back this unnerving and concerning discussion on reducing scholarships from 15 to 13 in the sport of women’s basketball.
It reminds me of a similar, slow-moving and heeding presumption like male practice players. The WBCA membership is overwhelmingly supportive of keeping the 15 scholarships. The Women’s Basketball Issues Committee issued what I thought was a strong statement that this scholarship reduction would go against what we have worked for since 1972 for the growth of our sport and that there has been no positive empirical evidence linked to reducing scholarships in order to increase parity in women’s basketball.
At the nice request of Jill Pizzotti (Nike), I was invited to Villa 7 – Assistant Coaches Consortium sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University. It obviously was a wonderful time to go back out to the campus in true Portland-style where one day it looked like it was England in December, balmy 50 degrees and foggy and the second day was just absolutely majestic. What a phenomenal program they put on in just the second year that they did this on the women’s side.
Beth Bass, Jody Conradt (formerly at Texas) and Theresa Grentz
(formerly at Illinois) speak on the panel at Nike's Villa 7.
They invited 30 assistant coaches and it was hosted at the Tiger Woods building on Nike’s campus – which goes without saying that the facility shows as much class and dominance as Tiger does on the golf course.
Next, I headed a little west to meet face to face in Orlando with Marsha Sharp (Texas Tech), Stephanie Glance (NC State) and Kay Yow (NC State). We worked on the visioning process and next steps with the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. It was great seeing Coach Yow as always. I do not think she would mind me sharing that she is now having to go back on chemotherapy in a three-week rotation. Her spirits are still great, she’s excited about the Fund, and we continue to wish her well!
Back in Atlanta, I was able to attend the Black Coaches Association (BCA) Convention. The BCA included our staff to help organize it in our hometown. I was very impressed with the attendance, the energy and the zeal that the women’s basketball session had. They had tremendous speakers, and I was so glad to be exposed to the professional development and all of the positives that are happening.
Floyd Keith (BCA), Beth Bass, Betty Jaynes and Sylvia Crawley (Boston College) at the BCA banquet.
Beth Bass, Nikita Lowry-Dawkins (ODU) and Edwina Johnson (Florida and former BFJ intern) at BCA banquet.
The Directors and Senior Management went to Indianapolis for a 2-day meeting with our NCAA Corporate Champions and Partners, Fishbait Marketing and NCAA staff. In the past, sometimes it would seem that the rooms would change, the people would change, the airports would change, but our sport would be in slow motion. Now, we have hit a tremendous growth spurt, with our tournament ratings up, our attendance numbers up and we had a phenomenal convention.
I haven’t felt this positive energy since 2004. Tampa did such a great job, which helped to create yet another buzz in women’s basketball. Our Big Monday games in regular season were up 37% and our tournament was up 36% so everybody feels energized and ready to strike while the iron is hot to get out there and sell women’s basketball
I got to spend some quality time with these up-and-coming assistant coaches and the other panelists. I sat through every single panel discussion and soaked it in – I was bummed that I had to miss even 30 minutes to take care of other business! I absolutely loved doing the speed-dating networking exercise with the assistant coaches and administrators. I want to adopt this speed-dating and networking component at our 2009 National Convention in St. Louis.
Then I headed down to Sarasota, Florida, to the Dick Vitale Gala for Cancer Research to benefit The V Foundation. Pat Summitt (Tennessee) and Bobby Knight (formerly at Texas Tech) were being honored. It was a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand how The V Foundation and Dick Vitale do phenomenal fundraising events, and I was able to take away some ideas to use for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.
Catherine Gammon (Russell Athletic), Harry Perretta (Villanova), Pat Summitt (Tennessee), Beth Bass, Patty McTeague (ESPN) and Carol Stiff (ESPN) at the Dick Vitale Gala.
My next stop was Dallas, Texas, for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention where I serve on the Executive Committee. I was delighted to accept an invitation to be on a panel for the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) with Grant Teaff (AFCA), Jim Haney (NABC) and several compliance officers. We discussed how we can better effectively communicate, help them in their worlds as it relates to legislation and help bridge that gap between some of the misconceptions of the coach and compliance officer relationships. I thought it was very productive.
Beth Bass and Jim Haney (NABC) on the panel for NAAC.
I was able to spend a pleasant evening with one of my dear friends Chris Plonsky (Texas), where I had a bit of therapy and solved all the world’s problems in one meal. It is good to have a professional and personal touchstone in the business. While in Dallas, I was also treated to dinner with the Tampa Local Organizing Committee. Obviously, we are still pleased and excited about the halo effect from Tampa.
Another highlight from Dallas was hearing a panel on new media in intercollegiate athletics with Burke Magnus (ESPN) of whom I have great respect. This reinforced the idea that there are no new media; it is how audiences and fans consume their sports differently today. It made me think about how the WBCA can do more on our website, with our podcast and expand upon the media opportunities that are out there to have our own channels of distribution with content that can give glimpses into coaches’ lives and coaches’ minds in a very distinct and unique way.
From New York City I headed to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame to celebrate with the 2008 induction class, which included Patty Broderick (Official), Lin Laursen (retired Central Arizona College), Debbie Ryan (Virginia), Jill Rankin-Schneider (former Wayland Baptist and Tennessee all-American), Suzie McConnell-Serio (Duquesne) and Michele Timms (Australian standout).
As the 2nd Vice President on the Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce that Jill Pizzotti as well as Pam El (State Farm) have been added to the Board. Click here to see the exceptional Class of 2009!
My next commitment was in Newport, Rhode Island, where I met with the Women’s Basketball Committee and ESPN. I was so impressed that every member of the WBCA Executive Committee took time out of their camp schedule to travel to Newport. WBCA President Sherri Coale (Oklahoma) will have a report out about this in the near future so be on the lookout!
That wraps up this edition of Net.News. Travel safely on the recruiting trail and try to get some R&R squeezed in after July because the season will be here before you know it!
See you on the road.
Your CEO,
Beth Bass
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.
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Attention! Check
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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.
WBCA Featured Sponsors
SE Missouri Accepts Basketball Penalty
Southeast Missouri will not appeal NCAA sanctions calling for the forfeiture of 44 women’s basketball victories as well as placing both the women’s and men’s programs on two years of probation.
2008 State Farm Tip-Off Classic Field Confirmed
This year’s State Farm Tip-Off Classic, slated for Nov. 16, will feature Notre Dame against LSU and the University Pittsburgh versus Texas A&M. Both games will be played at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center at Louisiana State University.
Boise State Associate AD Passes Away Following Illness
Lisa Parker, senior associate athletic director for student services at Boise State University and the senior women’s administrator for Bronco athletics, passed away at her home following a long battle with cancer.
Cindy Fisher Receives Multi-Year Contract Extension
The University of San Diego announced head women’s basketball coach Cindy Fisher has received a multi-year contract extension.
UConn Rewards Auriemma with Five-Year Extension Through 2013
Geno Auriemma signed a deal that will keep the Hall of Fame coach on Connecticut’s sideline through 2013.
Parker Wins Female College Athlete of Year Award
Candace Parker of Tennessee has won the Honda-Broderick Cup, given to the nation’s top female college athlete.
School, Attorneys Reach Deal in Fresno State Coach Lawsuit
Lawyers for a former Fresno State women’s basketball coach who sued the university claiming sexual discrimination say they’ve reached a $9 million settlement with the university.
NCAA Awards Jenna Green Sixth Year of Eligibility
UC Santa Barbara senior center, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder two of the last three seasons, was awarded a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.
Delle Donne Leaves UConn Summer Session
Elena Delle Donne, the prized recruit in UConn’s incoming freshmen class, left campus during her first week of summer school and headed home.
Ohio Head Coach and All-Time Scorer Inducted Into Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
Ohio head women’s basketball coach Semeka Randall and Ohio women’s basketball all-time points leader Caroline Daugherty (Mast) were inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.
PacWest adds School
The Pacific West Conference has invited Dominican University of California to become the league’s ninth member institution.
Concordia (N.Y.) To Join CACC
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC)
Council of Presidents has announced that Concordia College (N.Y.) has been awarded membership and will begin competition in the 2009-10 academic year.
Northern State Leads Division II Attendance
Northern State is the national leader in attendance for NCAA Division II women’s basketball during the 2007-08 season. Northern State earned the title with an average of 2,483 spectators at each of its 12 home games.
Howard Payne Tops Nation in Women’s Attendance Again
The attendance at NCAA women’s basketball games hit a record number, averaging 1,549 fans and totaling 23,234 spectators overall, during the 2007-08 season and for the second straight year, Howard Payne University was tops among Division III programs.
Fisk Brings Back Basketball
Less than three months after announcing that it would disband all of its intercollegiate athletic teams, Fisk has decided it will field men’s and women’s basketball teams for the 2008-09 season.
Riverland Community College to Forfeit Women’s Basketball, Softball Games
Riverland Community College must forfeit all women’s basketball games and all softball games played before March 31 after it was discovered that one of the teams’ athletes was playing while under a letter of intent with another college.
NCAA Launches YouTube Channel
The NCAA has developed a YouTube channel as part of its ongoing commitment to new media and technology.
NCAA Receives Bids for 2012-16 Women’s Final Fours
The NCAA has received bids from 12 cities that want to host the women’s basketball Final Four tournaments in 2012-16 including: Indianapolis, the home of the NCAA headquarters; along with Cleveland; Kansas City, Mo.; New Orleans; Philadelphia; San Antonio; Tampa, Fla.; Dallas;
Denver; Houston; Nashville, Tenn.; and Columbus, Ohio.
WNBA To Honor ABC New’s Robin Roberts With
2008 WNBA Inspiration Award
Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC News’ Good Morning America, will be the recipient of the 2008 WNBA Inspiration Award recognizing an individual who inspires others through her commitment and dedication to work, family and community.
Indiana’s Tamika Catchings Named Dawn Staley
Community Leadership Award Recipient
Catchings was awarded the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding work in the Indianapolis community with her Catch the Stars Foundation.
The award recognizes the player who best exemplifies the characteristics of a leader in the community and reflects Staley’s leadership, spirit, charitable efforts and love for the game.
Rookie Wiggins Working Hard for a Cure
Minnesota Lynx Rookie Candice Wiggins has partnered with Until There’s A Cure. This foundation is devoted to creating awareness for AIDS and HIV. Their goal is to raise funds through the sales of bracelets for prevention, education,
services and the development of a vaccine.
July 24-31, 2008
Junior Olympics (HS Eligible), Detroit, Mich.
July 31 - August 2, 2008
WBCA Executive Committee and Board of Directors Meeting
August 5-6, 2008
NCAA Women's Basketball Preliminary Round Host Seminar
August 8-24, 2008
XXVIII Olympic Games (Bejing, China)
Attention!
So Resumes Are Now Online! If you have a coaching vacancy, Nike’s So You Want To Be A Coach participants are the best place to start. To view ALL participants’ resumes and a list of the class of 2008, please click here.
As you have coaching changes, please keep the WBCA informed.
The WBCA is currently searching for a Manager of New Initiatives to work on the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, WBCA Pink Zone and more. Click here for updates on all WBCA career openings.
Attention! Still seeking a coach or camp assistant? Check out the career section by AthleticLink at WBCA.org.
Renew your membership to receive your annual WBCA Membership Calendar in August!.
Watch videos from the 2008 WBCA National Convention On-Court Programming courtesy of Xpressplay!
Contact Alicen Kikkert at akikkert@wbca.org in the Membership Department for any coaching changes in your office.
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
