Dear WBCA Member,

They say "time flies when you're having fun". The last few months seem to have flown by since I last wrote you, and I have definitely taken part in some exciting opportunities. After returning to Atlanta following the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Convention in mid-August, I spent some productive, quality time in the office trying to have two back-to-back weekends with no outside interruptions or road trips.

My staff could not hold me down too long. I was off to Raleigh, North Carolina, to work on the Kay Yow (N.C. State head coach) and WBCA cancer initiative, my most favorite project to date. This will be our centerpiece emerging from the WBCA's "Think Pink" as instructed by the WBCA Board of Directors. Before heading into the meeting, I was not sure how much Coach Yow would be up for. She wore us all out! We began at noon and literally almost missed our flight at 7:45 that evening. We also had great conversation with Nick Valvano (Chief Executive Officer of The V Foundation). There will be more to come on this exciting initiative!

Beth and Kay aren't afraid of this wolf!

Back in Atlanta, I met with Career Sports & Entertainment. Amy Lowe, a former WBCA intern, is trying to get her company more involved with the representation of coaches and the marketing of women's basketball. As I continued my marketing rounds, I was graciously invited and extremely appreciative to be included on the procurement of a marketing group that will be hired by Sue Donohoe (NCAA Vice President for Division I Women's Basketball) and the women's basketball crew at the NCAA. The goal is to really delve into how we can increase regular season and preliminary round championship attendance for women's basketball. They narrowed it down to four marketing firms from all over the world, who then presented to the NCAA with percolating and debriefing sessions afterwards. These phenomenal ideas and the growth opportunity absolutely stretched our frame of mind. It was great to see them so zealous to work in NCAA women's basketball. A decision on the marketing firm to lead this campaign will be coming soon from the NCAA.

Next, I enjoyed a labor-less weekend for Labor Day at my favorite spot, Key West. My phenomenal aqua therapist, Captain Karen, helped me to catch my first legal lobster. Until this lobster season, I kept catching the same little one over and over again! (Did you know that lobsters swim backwards?)

I headed back to Indianapolis for the Myles Brand Discussion Group's final meeting. I want to give kudos to all of the coaches and leaders who have taken part in this discussion group. All of these individuals took time out of their busy schedules to really examine our game, discuss how to prevent it from eroding, learn from the men's side, and maintain a strong foundation. It is up to all coaches, no matter if it is your first year or your 30th, to reach out to the community, speak on campus to clubs and organizations, shake hands with the fans, and provide positive leadership in order to move that needle for women's basketball.

Beth mingles at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
induction reception.

From there, I was off to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction where I ran into Van Chancellor (LSU head coach), Roy Williams (Detroit Lions wide receiver and former UNC men's basketball player), Dean Smith (former UNC men's basketball head coach) and Pat Summitt (Tennessee head coach), along with many other leaders in athletics. Then I stopped through Boston, Massachusetts, to check on New Balance and Reebok, a couple of our outstanding corporate sponsors.

After spending a few days on the home front in Atlanta, I went down to Tampa to begin our site inspection to prep for the 2008 WBCA National Convention, but more importantly to meet for the 2007 NCAA Corporate Champion and Partner Summit. It was the first time in NCAA history that the Women's Final Four site hosted the summit, where all eight corporate champions and partners were represented (Coca-Cola, AT&T, Pontiac, State Farm, DiGiornio, Enterprise, The Hartford and Lowes). They all have paid the rights to the NCAA marks, but only two of the eight corporate champions and partners really activate on the women's side. We are trying to educate them on our game and convince them of the importance in their activation. Again, I leaned on a friend for show-and-tell. For the

closing dinner, Pat Summitt encouraged these sponsors to help us move this pillar to grow the game of women's basketball.

Beth spends some time with Sue Donohoe, Pat Summitt
and Carol Stiff.

Very appropriately, my next stop was Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal symposium, where again I attempted to figure out how to get Wall Street to see the value in women's basketball. I was able to have dinner with Val Ackerman (USA Basketball President). It was wonderful to get her perspective and it set a great tone for the next day of meetings. While in town, I was also able to have lunch with Kelly Cornish (Women's Sports Foundation Board of Director) as I tried to stay connected to the broader girth of women's sports. The highlight of my month was grabbing a bite with one of our family members, Robin Roberts (Co-host of Good Morning America). She wanted me to especially thank you all for the prayers, notes and cards.

Beth makes friends with the Heisman trophy.

I shifted gears, and headed back to see Coach Yow where we are getting closer to dotting our i's and crossing our t's with the WBCA and Kay Yow cancer initiative. Understanding the urgency and timeliness, I flew up to Bristol to meet with Rosa Gatti (Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Outreach, ESPN, Inc.) and Carol Stiff (ESPN Senior Strategic Program Planner). Rosa, a founding member of ESPN, is the gatekeeper of The V Foundation's relationship with ESPN. I had a wonderful lunch while on their campus - ESPN's cafeteria must have the best restaurants in town. Carol then stashed me in a meeting room right next to George Bodenheimer's (President of ESPN and ABC Sports) office. When they were not looking, I snuck in his office and sat in his chair! (Just kidding Carol!)

Then, I went to a "meeting of the minds" with Greg Shaheen (NCAA's Senior Vice President for Basketball and Business Strategies), Sue Donohoe, Rick Jones (Fishbait Marketing) and David Knopp (NCAA's Managing Director of Corporate and Broadcast Alliances). Among us were two of "The 10 Most Powerful People in College Sports" as named by The Chronicle of Higher Education - Sue Donohoe and Greg Shaheen!

Beth participates in the WNBA's sales and marketing meetings.

In response to an invitation from Donna Orender (WNBA President), I was back in New York to attend the WNBA sales and marketing meetings. I was even able to attend a breakout session that included the WNBA's general managers, chief operating officers and all coaches of the WNBA. With Donna being on our Board of Directors, this is her way of making sure that we are all on the same page trying to push women's basketball. Geno Auriemma (Connecticut head coach) graciously spoke at one of the league's marketing and sales meetings. I was able to "drill" him during the Q&A portion as you will see in the above picture. P.S. I don't think he ever answered my question! Then, I was able to have dinner with my longtime friend Kelly Krauskopf (Indiana Fever Chief Operating Officer/General Manager). After working at the league office for 10 years, you would think she knew her way around the city. She made me walk around the same block so many times looking for the restaurant, that I felt like I was in a NYC version of the "Blair Witch Project"!

On a more serious note, don't forget to register for the WBCA's 2008 National Convention! The early bird registration deadline is November 30 and will be here before you know it.

Also, as we recognize October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, make sure you are preparing for the WBCA's 2008 "Think Pink" event. More than 250 schools are already on board, so don't be left out! You will find breast cancer statistics, flyers, promotional items and much more information on our website. Products will also be available for purchase very soon.

Best of luck as you begin practice and prepare for the tip-off of the 2007-2008 season!

Until next time

Your CEO,

Beth Bass

Registration for the WBCA's 2008 National Convention in Tampa is now open.
Click here to register now! Don't forget that the deadline for Early Bird Registration is November 30!

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.

Click here!

Still seeking an assistant coach? Make your first stop the WBCA Career Center. Remember to go to WBCA.org to see new job listings everyday and to post your resume, open dates and camps.

WNBA Expands to Atlanta
WNBA President Donna Orender announced that the City of Atlanta has been awarded a WNBA expansion team for the 2008 season. The new team will be owned and operated by Atlanta businessman J. Ronald Terwilliger. The Atlanta franchise, which will choose a name, logo, colors and head coach at a later date, is the sixth WNBA team to be independently owned and operated.

Summit First Female Coach to Win
Ledgends of Coaching Award
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt will receive the John R. Wooden Award's Legends of Coaching award in April, becoming the first women's basketball coach to be honored. Summitt is college basketball's all-time winningest coach. She's won 947 games and seven NCAA titles, including this year. She will receive the award on April 12 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club when the men's and women's Wooden Award winners as national players of the year are announced.

Enforcement of Bench Rules Could Result in Technicals This Season
Cursing or venturing onto the court could draw college basketball coaches a quick technical foul this season. The NCAA is making bench decorum a point of emphasis for 2007-08 and warns coaches to expect a whistle without warning for a variety of unsportsmanlike actions. The rules will also apply to assistant coaches, other team personnel and players on the bench. Officials who consistently enforce the rules will be given preferential consideration for conference and NCAA tournament assignments.

NCAA Panel Proposes Ban on Cutting Financial Aid to Pregnant Athletes
Schools would be barred from cutting financial aid to athletes for any injury or medical condition, including pregnancy and eating disorders, under a proposal approved by an NCAA Division I panel. The measure, passed this week by the division's cabinet on academics, eligibility and compliance, will go to the Division I Management Council as an amendment to the NCAA bylaws later this fall.
It would prohibit a reduction or cancellation of athletic scholarships even if the injury or condition prevents the athlete from participating with the team.

Ann Donovan to Receive NCAA 25-Year Award
Anne Donovan ('83) who graced the sport of women's basketball from 1979 to 83, helping the Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs to a national championship in 1980 and two more "Final Four" appearances during her four years will receive an NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. The award will presented to her on Sunday, January 13, 2008, at the NCAA Honors Celebration at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

LSU Asst. coach shaves head for wife
Basketball fans watching the Lady Tigers' bench may do a double take this season upon first sight of the coaching staff. No, Mr. Clean has not taken over assistant coaching duties. Rather, newly bald assistant women's basketball coach Bob Starkey has shaved his head in honor of his wife Sherie, who is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment for breast cancer. "It's an unbelievable amount of support that a man like Bob has for his wife," said coach Van Chancellor.

Rutgers Women's Basketball Honored by Women's Sports Foundation
Members of the Rutgers Women's Basketball team were honored by the Women's Sports Foundation at the Foundation's 28th Annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards Dinner.  The members of the 2006-07 squad were awarded the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award.

Wyatt-Raban Leaves Glenville
Glenville State College Head Women's Basketball Coach Tracy Wyatt Raban has submitted her resignation.  Wyatt Raban says the decision was a difficult one to make. "I was honored to be offered the opportunity to return to my alma mater to accept the head coaching position.  However, for personal reasons, I need to step down from this position."

Laursen Announces Retirement After 2007-08 Season
Only living legends have the floor they practice on inscribed with their names. But after the 2007-08 Central Arizona College women's basketball season concludes, head coach Lin Laursen's long career as the first, the greatest and the only mentor in Vaquera history will come to a glorious end. And it will be punctuated in June of 2008 when she travels to Knoxville, Tenn., to be enshrined in the Women's basketball Hall of Fame. Denise "Gooch" Cardenas will take over the head coaching duties beginning with the 2008-09 campaign. Cardenas is in her fifth year as Laursen's assistant.

Case Hires Reimer as New Women's Basketball Coach
The Case Western Reserve University Athletic Department has announced the signing of Jennifer Reimer as the new head coach of its women's basketball team. Reimer, who resigned as Allegheny College's head coach, has a career record of 120-68 (.638) and will look to bring that success to Case Western Reserve.  She replaces Jacki Windon, who resigned in July to become the director of basketball operations at the University of Akron.

October 29, 2007
USA TODAY ESPN WBCA Division I
Top 25 Pre-Season Coaches' Poll Release

October 30, 2007
USA TODAY ESPN WBCA Division II and III
Top 25 Pre-Season Coaches' Poll Release

November 7, 2007
WBCA Executive Committee Conference Call
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

November 9, 2007
First permissible contest date for NCAA Division I

November 12, 2007
WBCA High School All-America Nomination
forms online at WBCA.org
(Nomination deadline is January 16, 2007)

November 15, 2007
First permissible contest date for NCAA Division II

November 16, 2007
First permissible contest date for NCAA
Division III

November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving (WBCA Office Closed)

November 30 , 2007
Early-Bird Convention Registration Ends!

December 3, 2007
WBCA Conference Captains NCAA Division I Conference Call 12 - 1 p.m. ET

Hanukkah Begins at Sundown

December 10, 2007
WBCA Conference Captains NCAA Division II Conference Call 12 -1 p.m. ET

Attention! Do you know someone who is passionate about women's basketball and would be perfect for one of the Betty F. Jaynes Internships?
If so, please direct them to learn more about our six internship opportunities by clicking here.

The WBCA has one full-time opportunity at this time!

• Manager of Legislation and Research

Click here for updates on all WBCA career openings.

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