Dear WBCA Member,

Last time I wrote you I was headed off to our NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee meeting with the gorgeous backdrop of Beavercreek, Colorado. Our entire WBCA Executive Committee - minus Doug Bruno (DePaul and WBCA Past President), who was off training to win a gold medal in Slovakia - was able to attend. We had great dialogue about how to increase our first and second rounds in attendance as well as for regional games. It was a very informal, yet positive exchange of ideas, and served as a great forerunner for future discussions with our WBCA Board of Directors.

Next, I was off to San Diego for the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Convention. You run into all kinds of rift raft on planes. Before I sat down, I saw Tyler Summitt and then realized Pat Summitt (Tennessee) was on board, also headed to San Diego. Pat was flattered when she thought I was headed to CoSIDA to see her receive the Dick Enberg award. I hated to break the news to her that I was actually headed to San Diego for WBCA business. However, I was able to corral her to attend the WBCA's Taste of San Diego event that we held for all women's basketball Sports Information Directors and media. You have some fantastic individuals supporting women's basketball in your sports information offices on campus!

Pat Summitt poses with Beth Bass to present Natalia Ciccone (Maryland SID) with the raffle prize.

I took some time off with my family on July 4th, my favorite holiday. My blood is red, white and blue, and since my birthday is in March I usually do not get to celebrate because of March Madness. So instead I enjoy celebrating on July 4th!

Following a fantastic 4th, I was able to catch up with many of you at the camps in Suwannee, Georgia. I love seeing the coaches and hearing the hot topics of discussion directly from our greatest resources. After some quality time with the coaches, I entertained one of our esteemed sponsors, Russell Athletic. CEO Doug Kelly, Sarah Gholston (Director of Team Sports Merchandising) and I had in-depth discussion of future initiatives and opportunities for our partnership.

Beth meets with Russell Athletic's Doug Kelly (CEO) and Sarah Gholston (Director of Teams Sports Merchandising).

Then I headed to the WNBA All-Star game. Washington, D.C., did a really awesome job hosting the event. Donna Orender (WNBA) definitely treated all of her special guests to a first class experience, including a concert capped off with one of the best All-Star games in history. While in D.C., I was also able to spend time with Doug before he left for Slovakia.

Back in Atlanta, Betty and I went to Parker and Associates, one of the most respected search firms nationally. As an association, we are trying to better understand the landscape of search firms as they are getting more involved with the hiring of women's coaches. I also had the privilege of spending time with one of our best partners, Jill Pizzotti (Nike), as she stopped by on the way to one of Nike's biggest events in Augusta. We discussed our contract renewal and look forward to continuing our relationship for many years to come.

Then, I hunkered down in preparation for our in-person WBCA Board of Directors meeting. We had an incredible meeting overall. Our

NCAA Division I Board of Directors streamed in from recruiting at their final camp. I know they were dead-dog tired, but we had what I thought were very energized and engaged meetings. We actually got through the entire agenda. Geno Auriemma (Connecticut and WBCA Vice President) accused Sherri Coale (Oklahoma and WBCA President) of being a slave driver. We had organized discussion over dinner about some envisioning for the WBCA and our sport. With all that is going on in women's collegiate athletics, we were honored to have Myles Brand (NCAA President) and Sue Donohoe (NCAA Vice President for Division I Women's Basketball) come in and show their dedication to the growth of women's basketball. It was also a pleasure to have Kay Yow (N.C. State), Carol Stiff (ESPN) and Nick Valvano (Jimmy V Foundation) present to discuss the future of the WBCA's Think Pink initiative.

Geno Auriemma, Sherri Coale, Beth Bass and Shannon Reynolds (WBCA Chief Operating Officer) at the WBCA in-person Board of Directors Meeting.

In case you have not heard, the WBCA has announced that the 2008 "Think Pink" week will be February 8 - 17. Make sure you visit our website often for Think Pink updates, promotional materials and products that will soon be available. We are challenging all of our members to get involved with the initiative in an effort to increase breast cancer awareness!

Next on the agenda was the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Convention where I focus on my own professional development. It was perfect timing to go straight from the WBCA Board meeting, where I left with such big picture ideas, to figure out how to implement these ideas most effectively in a not for profit setting. Following ASAE, I was able to visit my mother in the great state of South Carolina. It never fails that I run into someone I know, regardless of where I am. I was at Cracker Barrel with my mom and bumped into Beth Cunningham (Virginia Commonwealth) and her husband. It was great to visit with them for a bit.

Beth spends some quality time with her mom, Hilda, along with Beth Cunningham (Va. Commonwealth) and her husband Dan.

As I am sure you are all aware, the Division III Presidents Council agreed to sponsor a proposal for the 2008 NCAA Convention that will limit how often and how many male practice players may be used at Division III schools. Remember, Division III is one school, one vote, so talk to your administration! The Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet decided to take a non-legislative approach to the issue, and has since provided educational materials to all Division I institutions. We are responsible for monitoring ourselves on this issue, or it may resurface in the future with legislative movement at the Division I level.

Finally, I would like to officially welcome on board some of our newest staff members. Daniella Trujillo (Manager of Events and Office Administration), Jessica Pare (Manager of Awards and Communications Coordinator) and Candace Williams (Manager of Multimedia) have all joined our staff within the past few months. We look forward to taking the WBCA to a new level with these great additions to our staff.

Make sure you continue to follow the WNBA finals and that you are registered for Tampa! I know you are looking forward to another season of women's basketball just as much as I am!

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!

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.

ACC checking backgrounds of officials
The ACC is entering the second year of conducting background checks on football and men's and women's basketball officials. A private firm conducts the checks each year on about a third of the officials, chosen at random, and there's a guarantee that each official will be checked at least once every four years. Every year, all officials in those sports fill out a form on which they consent to a background check and provide information about whether they have been involved in gambling. The league looks into criminal records, credit reports and driving records.

Theresa Grentz goes home again
When former Immaculata standout Theresa Shank Grentz stepped down in April after 12 seasons as the women's basketball coach at Illinois, she left her options open on what she might do next. There was speculation that Grentz, who as a player led Immaculata to three straight national championships in the early 1970s, might succeed former Immaculata teammate Rene Portland as coach at Penn State. Grentz herself said she was seriously considering academic opportunities at Illinois. But she surely wasn't planning to return to the scene of her college glory days. Yet, that's exactly where Grentz finds herself today, not as the Mighty Macs' coach but helping the Immaculata administration.

Coale Inspired By WBB Growth
New Women's Basketball Coaches Association president Sherri Coale sees the sport in a time of tremendous growth, but also a chance to make it even better. The Oklahoma coach concluded her second day as WBCA president by finishing the group's annual meetings and returning home to speak before a gathering of Sooners fans. Coale called the summer meetings proactive brainstorming sessions in which coaches tried to find ways to improve women's college basketball.

DePaul coach Bruno signs extension
DePaul coach Doug Bruno has signed a contract extension through the 2011-12 season, the university announced. Bruno, who has guided the program to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances, is entering his 22nd season on the bench at his alma mater.

Terps' Frese is expecting
Maryland women's basketball coach Brenda Frese is due to give birth to fraternal twins on March 11, less than two weeks before the NCAA tournament. Frese announced her pregnancy to the team on Wednesday afternoon during a meeting in the locker room.

Defending National Champion Owls Tab New Head Coach
Southern Connecticut State University has announced that Meghan Burke Brown has been named head women's basketball coach. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics Patricia D. Nicol. A coaching veteran with a decade of collegiate experience to her credit, Burke Brown takes over at the helm of the defending Division II National Champions.

Greenleaf New Women's Basketball Coach
Matt Greenleaf enters his first year as Head Women's basketball coach at Oregon Tech. Greenleaf was the Student Program Coordinator last year and spent last season as an assistant to mens basketball coach Dan Miles.

Byrns named new women's coach at GCC
Stephanie Byrns was named the women's basketball coach at Gogebic Community College earlier this week. Byrns, originally from Ironwood, is a graduate of GCC and holds a bachelor of science in elementary education from Northland College.

VanDerveer, Storm agree to part ways
The Seattle Storm announced that it has agreed to release assistant coach Heidi VanDerveer from the final year of her contract, allowing her to pursue other coaching opportunities. VanDerveer, who is believed to be planning a return to college coaching, is ending her eight-year WNBA coaching stint after spending the past two seasons as an assistant with the Storm.

CWA takes educational approach to pregnancy issue
Showing a commitment in support of pregnant student-athletes and concern for their equitable treatment within NCAA bylaws and federal laws, the Committee on Women's Athletics decided on an educational approach to aid member institutions. The CWA at its July 9-10 meeting agreed to develop a toolkit for institutions to use as a guide should a student-athlete become pregnant. Since Title IX states that pregnancy should be treated as a temporary disability, committee members see no need for NCAA legislation at this time.

For a complete list of head coaching changes, click here.

September 10, 2007:
Nike's So You Want To Be A Coach Applications Go Online!

Conference Captains NCAA Division I Conference Call (Foresight Committee) from 12-1 pm ET

September 11, 2007:
NAIA Conference Captain Call from 12-1 pm ET

October 2007:
Look out for your special Membership Issue of Coaching Women's Basketball (CWB)!

October 1, 2007:
NCAA Division I Conference Captain Call from 12-1 pm ET

October 9, 2007:
NCAA Division II Conference Captain Call from 11 am-12 pm ET
NCAA Division III Conference Captain Call from 12-1 pm ET

October 12, 2007:
Official Start of Practice for NCAA Division I

October 16, 2007:
Official Start of Practice for NCAA Division II and III

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