Hello WBCA Members,

Following my last account of travels and activities in the world of women's basketball, my life has been non-stop here at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). I am sure that you can all relate to this!

Amid the hectic holiday season, we had a major corporate push with companies trying to make key decisions before closing out the year, proving to be very favorable for the WBCA. We spent several afternoons with our friends at RUSSELL ATHLETIC and have extended our relationship. We delivered one of the fastest sponsorships, receiving a verbal commitment from AstraZeneca on their partnership with the WBCA. We also took a trip to visit with Orbitz to make final plans for the season. We are excited about maximizing our relationship with Orbitz!

Following a string of sponsor-related trips, I went to San Antonio for the AVCA Final Four. One of my best friends, Bonnie Kenny who is the volleyball coach at Delaware, has come to the NCAA® Women's Final Four® for the past fifteen years and I presumed that it was about time for me to make it to a volleyball final four. We had a wonderful time! (Sometimes I wonder how we became such good friends when she loves that "white ball"!)

Having a little down time, we too enjoyed the new dead period December 24-26. Starting off the New Year, I was able to catch up with one of my old cronies, Joe Ciampi, long-time coach at Auburn. He was in town doing the Miami at Georgia Tech game; we discussed his new position as women's basketball consultant for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and hope that other conferences will follow the SEC's lead.

Then it was off to the NCAA convention with Shannon Reynolds, WBCA Chief Operating Officer, and Jenifer Schiebler, our new WBCA Manager of Events and Legislation. It was four days packed with meetings, legislation and news on the forefront of women's basketball. I attended the CEO Association summit and my first meeting as a member of the NCAA Diversity Leadership Strategic Planning Committee. I almost have as many meeting notebooks as I do frequent flyer miles!

Greg Sheehan (NCAA), Sue Donohoe
(NCAA), Tom Jernstedt (NCAA) and
Beth Bass.

Obviously, the bulk of the convention was when we were in the Women's Basketball Issues prep meeting preparing for what we would speak about on the floor at the NCAA Convention. The succinct message that we wanted to deliver was to hold the course to render a full assessment of the Recruiting and Access package. At this time, we were successful and are waiting to fully evaluate it in the spring with our membership.

Nora Lynn Finch (NCSU), Tim Griggs
(Coker) and Beth Bass.

One of the highlights while in Indianapolis was being able to surround ourselves with friends of the game for dinner. Doug Bruno, WBCA President and head coach at DePaul University, and Jean Lenti Ponsetto, Director of Athletics at DePaul, came from Chicago to meet with us. Also in attendance was Nora Lynn Finch, Senior Associate Athletic Director at N.C. State and the first-time chair of the Women's Basketball Committee, and Mary DiStanislao, Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Pennsylvania, who were both in the room when the WBCA started. Others around the table included Lynn Hickey (UTSA), Carolyn Schlie Femovich (Patriot League), Annie Meyers-Drysdale (Commentator), Dr. M. Dianne Murphy (Columbia Univ.), Carol Stiff (ESPN), Carolyn Campbell-McGovern (Ivy League), Judy Sweet (NCAA), Shannon Reynolds (WBCA) and Sue Donohoe (NCAA). We all shared our favorite moments of the last 25 years of women's basketball and I look forward to sharing even more at the 25th WBCA National Convention.

Lynn Hickey (UTSA), Beth Bass (WBCA),
Doug Bruno (DePaul) and Sue Donohoe (NCAA)

Luckily, I have been able to catch quite a few games these past few weeks, several being literally a mile from my residence. I attended the Duke at Georgia Tech game followed by the RUSSELL ATHLETIC Shootout at the Gwinnett Civic Center. I was also able to attend the Wake Forest at Georgia Tech game.

Hitting the road again, I headed to the Wilmington, Delaware area to finalize the AstraZeneca deal. I was able to catch Notre Dame at Rutgers. I had pre-game lunch with Muffet McGraw, our NCAA Division I Legislative Chair, and then spent some post-game time with C. Vivian Stringer, our Division I/At Large representative.

Next, I was off to Connecticut at DePaul, which proved to be an incredible showdown between the two teams. I have seen a whole new side of Chicago through the eyes of our President, Doug Bruno. While at DePaul I saw Cathy McGee, long-time board member, who is writing a book entitled "Coaching Basketball Technical and Tactical Skills", published by Human Kinetics. She was watching several of her players in the Connecticut/DePaul game.

Beth Bass, Mel Greenberg (Philadelphia Enquirer), Debbie Antonelli (Broadcast Talent) and C. Vivian Stringer (Rutgers).

The downtown Marriott was hopping in Chicago with Jill Pizzoti from Nike, Tisha Hill, Stacy Krueger and her team from Youngstown State. One of Doug's disciples, Lisa Ryckbosch from the University of Illinois at Chicago was also there, not to mention the Connecticut squad.

For our post-game festivities, we all headed to one of Doug's watering holes, Kelly's Pub. We ran into Jerry McLaughlin, former coach at Sienna and assistant at Kentucky, now coaching at a local high school. Chicago is such a big city, but getting to see so many friends of the game made it seem small and intimate.

How often do you find both friends and fierce competitors of the game sharing in post-game festivities? That is how good of friends that Geno and Doug are and it definitely says something about friendships - win, lose or draw. Check out the full story on www.wbca.org under archived daily updates.

From there, I went to the No. 1/No. 2 rivalry between top-ranked Duke and No. 2 North Carolina. It was a game for the ages and it was unbelievable being at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. I have to say it was one of the top five best games I have ever watched, but my top five would surprise some people. Congratulations North Carolina on the win and thank you to Duke for the incredible atmosphere that makes the game so unbelievable. I look forward to the rematch late February!

One interesting story that Gail Goestenkors, Duke's head coach, shared with me after the game makes you realize that no one ever gets bigger than the game. As Gail was getting focused and prepared for one of the biggest match-ups of the year that would be nationally aired on ESPN2, she stood in the tunnel with ten minutes on the clock while the Cameron Crazies and a crowd of 9,500 fans roared in the arena. A kid came down and asked a nearby security guard where the bathroom was located. The security guard then turns to Gail and asks if she works there and if she knew where the bathroom was located. Her response was "Yes, I work here and yes, I know where the bathroom is." It just makes you chuckle...

One of my best couple of hours was having breakfast the next morning at Cracker Barrel with one of my all-time favorite folks, Kay Yow, head coach at N.C. State, Stephanie Glance, Assistant Coaches Board member, and Brenda Keene, a 20-year WBCA Hoopster this year! That trip to Chicago and North Carolina was 64 of the best hours that I have ever experienced in women's basketball. It was like winning the women's basketball lottery!

Now, I am back in Atlanta preparing for our 25th National Convention. We recently wrapped up a contract extension with icebox Athlete along with our new partnership with the National Camp Alliance. It excites us to develop new relationships that will make our coaches' lives easier.

I most recently attended the Atlanta Tip-Off Club board meeting with President Jim Williams. What would a meeting in Atlanta be without a full-course meal from Chick-fil-A?

Dan Corso, Jim Williams, Beth Bass and
Gary Stokan convene at the Atlanta Tip-Off Club.

I am not a movie critic, but the WBCA staff kicked off February with an outing to see "Glory Road". Thank you Disney for bringing us this wonderful story and thank you Texas Western for paving the way! It is poignant to see how far we have come and I highly recommend for you and your team to go see "Glory Road."

I overheard on the road that John Calipari, men's head coach at the University of Memphis, called Sylvia Hatchell and said that it was one of the best games (North Carolina-Duke) he had ever seen and hoped it would inspire his team to play in the same fashion. Also, President Bush sent a handwritten note to Pat Summitt to congratulate her on hitting the 900 mark. Both of these recognitions shed light on where women's basketball is headed.

Good luck to all of you as you wind down in conference play and prepare for tournament time! Take care and we will see you in Boston!

Until next time…

Your CEO,

Beth Bass.

Kauffman Resigns as Coach
Peg Kauffman has resigned as the Lebanon Valley College women's basketball head coach, LVC Athletic Director Kathleen Tierney has announced. Kauffman, who is wrapping up her 13th season as the Valley's women's hoops coach and her fifth year as an assistant athletic director, has accepted a job as an interim women's athletic director at her alma mater, Millersville University.

LSU Transfer Biernacka Lands at TCU
Hanna Biernacka, who left LSU in December after two seasons, has decided to transfer to TCU, Horned Frogs coach Jeff Mittie announced on January 26. Biernacka, who will be eligible for competition upon completion of the fall 2006 semester, played in 33 of 35 games as a freshman in 2003-04, starting 27 as the Lady Tigers reached the Final Four. The 6-foot-1 forward from Stockholm, Sweden, finished the year averaging 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists. She shot 41.6 percent from the field and made 75.9 percent of her free throw attempts.

Kara Lawson to Expand Role with ESPN
Kara Lawson, three-time NCAA Women's Final Four participant and member of the 2005 WNBA Champion Sacramento Monarchs, will expand her growing role at ESPN as a studio analyst for the 2006 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. Lawson, a three-year WNBA guard, debuted as a studio analyst for ESPN2's coverage of women's basketball last month. She will join first-year women's college basketball host Trey Wingo and returning analyst Stacey Dales-Schuman in studio on ESPN and ESPN2 for complete-game coverage of the 2006 NCAA Tournament, including the Women's Final Four.

Yow's 1000th Game Is Win Over Dartmouth
NC State women's basketball used a 23-4 run in the first half and shot 63.3 percent in the second half to defeat visiting Dartmouth 78-43 and give head coach Kay Yow a victory following her 1,000th career game in 35 seasons on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Texas' Conradt Gets Career Win No. 879
Tamra Cobbins' free throw with 7.4 seconds left in overtime lifted Texas to a 71-70 win on January 22 over Kansas State, tying coach Jody Conradt with Dean Smith for second on the all-time career list at No. 879.

Helfant Hits Number 200
Kenyon College posted a 65-45 victory against Thiel College on Dec. 21 as head coach Suzanne Helfant earned her 200th career win. Helfant is 200-145 in 14 years as a head coach, including a 166-102 at the helm of the Ladies' program.

The National Camp Alliance is very excited to introduce you to our turnkey Camp Management Solution. This innovative service helps coaches simplify and organize their youth athletic camp registration process, reduce camp operation costs, increase profitability through new revenue sources and provide coaches a one-stop shop for all of their camp purchasing needs. Most importantly, it requires no up-front investment and can even be incorporated into the campers’ registration fee so that the solution costs you absolutely nothing! Please visit our website to find out more information.

icebox Athlete returns for their second year as a WBCA preferred partner. Spencer Wood, icebox Athlete president and world reknowned speaker, will be presenting to our membership on Monday, April 3 at 2 p.m. Spencer will talk about Composure, Concentration, Confidence and Commitment skills training for big game Clutch Performance and to Maximize Athletic Potential.

The WBCA is committed to helping our coaches work smart. We understand technology has become key in the world of basketball. Scoutware and Sports Tec are joining forces to present a panel discussion to our membership this year that talks about the best way to correspond via e-mail with recruits and taking advantage of the world of video editing.

Coaches, don't forget to post your open jobs, summer camps, camp jobs, and resumes at the WBCA web site prior to convention! Visit the WBCA Career Center today!

Remember, you must be a current WBCA member to participate in the WBCA Awards Programs. Please check to make sure your membership is up-to-date!

The WBCA will announce the 2006 WBCA High School All-America Team presented by Nike on February 15. Check out who made the team that day! Congratulations to these 20 outstanding players and Honorable Mention candidates.

Attention Graduate Assistants and Assistant Coaches!
Are you interested in being an on-court demonstrator in Boston? Please let us know. Contact Joni Brown at conv1intern@wbca.org with questions or if interested.

February 15, 2006:
2006 WBCA High School All-America Team Announcement
2006 State Farm/WBCA High School Player of the Year Announcement

February 17, 2006:
Deadline for ALL WBCA AWARDS NOMINATIONS

February 24, 2006:
Deadline for WBCA All-Star Challenge Ballots

February 28, 2006:
WBCA National Convention Pre-Registration Deadline

March 3, 2006:
WBCA AWARDS BALLOTS DEADLINE

March 1, 2006:
Victory Club Nominations Due

March 8, 2006:
2006 WBCA All-Star Challenge Participants Announcement

March 13, 2006:
SELECTION MONDAY!

March 14, 2006:
NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Championship and Banquet

March 16, 2006:
NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Banquet

March 17-18, 2006:
NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship

March 18, 2006:
NCAA Division III and NJCAA Division II and III Women's Basketball Championship

March 19, 2006:
NJCAA Division II/III Women's Basketball Championship

March 20, 2006:
NJCAA Women's Basketball Banquet

March 21, 2006:
NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Championship
NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Banquet

March 25, 2006:
NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship
NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship

March 31, 2006:
2006 WBCA National Convention On-Site Registration Begins

March 31 - April 4, 2006:
25th Annual WBCA National Convention

April 1, 2006
The "WBCA Night of All-Stars" at Matthews Arena on the campus of the Northeastern University, 4:30 p.m.

April 4, 2006:
NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship

April 21, 2006:
WBCA Election Ballots Available at WBCA.org

April 28, 2006:
WBCA Election Ballots Deadline

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

To renew your membership please visit the WBCA Membership page to renew online or phone Membership directly at 770-279-8027 ext. 134