Hello WBCA members!

I am here with another installment of Net.News - the bi-monthly account of my travels and activities as your CEO of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

It's been a few months since I last shared my often-adventurous excursions throughout the country visiting and meeting with colleagues and friends of the WBCA. Well, things were as exciting as ever with the start of March Madness and a trip to Norfolk, VA, where I joined WBCA President Wendy Larry and the historic Old Dominion University national championship teams of 1979, 1980, and 1985.

As a guest of Coach Larry, I was able to tip-off the celebratory weekend with this group at Coach Larry's home, which is commonly referred to as the "Larry-iott," affectionately named by frequent guest and WBCA past president, Carol Alfano of Cal Berkeley. This was a tremendous honor, and I felt privileged to be included in the festivities.

One highlight of my visit to ODU was when I walked into the Convocation Center, where I saw a breathtaking showcase displaying three Wade Trophies won by Nancy Lieberman (1979, 1980) and Ticha Penicheiro (1998). It blew me away! I was deeply touched by the tradition and legacy presented right before me. In addition, I was able to listen to many stories and bragging rights given by different eras of Old Dominion players and saw many old friends such as Chris Critelli, Anne Donovan, Nancy Lieberman, Marianne Stanley, Barbara Thaxton, and Rhonda Rompola. (see photo above)

I was extremely appreciative of Coach Larry's continued commitment to her position as president of the WBCA, as she sat down with me for almost an entire day to discuss Recruiting and Access strategies and planned for the 2005 WBCA National Convention while she prepared for her final regular season games and the conference tournament. It was an invigorating trip!

After a quick whirl back at the office, I was headed back to Virginia for the NCAA Division III Championship Banquet held at Virginia Wesleyan College honoring the Final Four participants, which included the eventual national champions Millikin University, Randolph-Macon College, the University of Scranton, and the University of Southern Maine.

I had the esteemed pleasure of announcing the Kodak/WBCA All-America Team, State Farm/WBCA Player of the Year (Amanda Nechuta … Debbie Antonelli, it's pronounced Na-hoo-ta) and RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year Gary Fifield for Division III. I was impressed with the dramatic psychedelic decorations. I thought I was at a tastefully done prom.

Next, I was off to Hot Springs, Arkansas for the NCAA Division II Championship Banquet recognizing the Elite Eight teams, which included: Central Arkansas, Charleston (W.V.), Grand Valley State, Merrimack, Seattle Pacific, Shaw, St. Cloud State, and the national champion Washburn Lady Blues. This, too, was an enjoyable experience as I also announced the winners of our coveted national awards. The banquet hall was filled with high hopes and electric energy because my old dear friend Tanya Crevier performed as the main event.

Those are such special events and it's just refreshing to work with leadership in other NCAA divisions like Tina Krah and Donnie Wagner. I love being able to see their unique approach to the growth and development of their respective divisions.

After these back-to-back trips, I returned to the WBCA office for the last home stretch before the 2005 WBCA National Convention. Just like you want to be with your team to practice, prepare, and hunker down. I, too, like to be with my "chicks around the coop" before a big event.

If you were not in Indianapolis, you missed out. The city did a great job with hosting the WBCA and the NCAA. All the preparation paid off. The close and compact locale of all the hotels and other amenities made it very convenient to get around logistically, not to mention the assistance of the professional Indianapolis volunteers.

I always tell my staff to under-promise and over-deliver, and that is just what we did this year at the 2005 WBCA National Convention. From the onset, with a great WBCA Board of Directors meeting; to the presentation of the AVIS USA TODAY ESPN Coaches' Trophy to Coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson and the Lady Bears of Baylor University. Just like the Indianapolis 500, it was great from start to finish. It seemed to be just like the days of old when coaches just connected with each other and basked in the spotlight surroundings of our sport.

Moving on to very important post-convention business, the WBCA Board of Directors are working diligently to prepare for the next round of elections, which will determine the future leadership of the Association. As we shift toward finalizing the election process, we encourage all of you to visit WBCA.org in the next few weeks to cast your votes for the nominee of your choice. We are striving for a very high number of coaches to participate.

It's hard to believe that it's been a little over a year since we began our work on the Recruiting and Access Package. In these past 12 months, we have made great strides in reaching out to every possible entity in the NCAA to tell them about our realistic plan to improve our great sport. I even had the tremendous opportunity to speak in front of six different NCAA governing bodies.

April 28 marked the fate of our Recruiting and Access proposals. But no matter the outcome, what is most important are the relationships and friends we have made throughout the NCAA membership, who saw our demonstrated commitment to improve the sport of women's basketball.

At this point, the NCAA Division I Management Council met in early April to give their second and final consideration to all the proposals in the current legislative cycle, including the Recruiting and Access proposals. The NCAA Board of Directors' meeting on April 28 was the last stop for the proposals. Many of our other proposals survived the intense examination by the NCAA membership and made it to the NCAA's Board of Directors' meeting. I must emphasize; however, that nothing is final until following the Board meeting, and I encourage you to visit WBCA.org for the Board's actions.

Lastly, I must take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped and supported us throughout this journey. Without their input, the Recruiting and Access Package would not be where it is today. Again, thank you!

Most recently, I visited New Haven, Connecticut for the Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inductions, where I was able to get back to my New England roots. What an unbelievable homecoming!

As soon as I stepped foot in the venue of the induction ceremony, I bumped into former Western Connecticut coach, Jody Rajcula who is someone I respect so much and had the opportunity to work with when she served on the WBCA Board of Directors/Executive Committee. She was a great treasurer and was very supportive of me personally and professionally.

I also was able to catch up with Amy Backus (Yale - retired), Sue Zawacki (University of New Haven), and Cathy Inglese (Boston College). When I lived in Boston, I was able to establish a kinship with these coaches, whom I got to know early in my career. They have always been great associates and supporters of the game.

It was an honor to be in the room with such a distinguished group of women's basketball supporters. I was thrilled to see our current WBCA Treasurer Dianne Nolan (Fairfield) and my dear friend Carol Stiff (ESPN) get inducted. Their contributions and tireless commitment to our game is unparalleled.

Being in Connecticut also had me reminiscent of our days of having the WBCA High School All-America Game in Hartford. However, what really captivated me on my trip were several comments shared by Dianne Nolan in her induction speech about finding the "balance between X's and O's and always keeping the camaraderie and the family atmosphere of our sport. We truly have something very special in women's basketball."

Indeed we do. Here's to our sport and its continual ascent.

I would also like to thank Wendy Larry for her dedicated service. It's been an incredible two years with her at the helm. She has put an enormous amount of time and energy into the position, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy.

As Wendy concludes her tenure, I look forward to welcoming in the new leadership of the Association. Until next time!

Your CEO,

Beth Bass

(L-R) Carol Stiff (ESPN), Beth Bass, John Molina (Preservationist), Dianne Nolan (Fairfield)

(L-R) Amy Backus, Sue Zawacki, Jody Rajcula, Cathy Inglese, Beth Bass

Gobrecht Takes Yale Helm
Chris Gobrecht, a 25-year Division I coaching veteran and a two-time Pacific-10 Conference Coach of the Year, has been named the new head coach of women's basketball at Yale University.

'Bama Names Smith Head Coach
Middle Tennessee State coach Stephany Smith was hired as Alabama head coach Monday. Smith replaces Rick Moody, who retired after 16 seasons.

Versyp Leaves Maine for Indiana Post
Sharon Versyp was hired as the Indiana women's basketball coach, leaving Maine after five years to return to the state where she starred in college. Versyp replaces Kathi Bennett, who resigned March 1 after leading the Hoosiers to a 72-75 record in five seasons.

LA Tech Promotes Long to Head Coach
Chris Long was promoted from assistant to head coach of the women's basketball team at Louisiana Tech, which went 20-10 this season and lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He replaces Kurt Budke, who joined Oklahoma State.

Oregon State Hires Duke Assistant
LaVonda Wagner, formerly of Duke University, has been named the head women's basketball coach at Oregon State University. Wagner becomes the fourth women's basketball coach in school history, replacing Judy Spoelstra.

Miami Names Meier as Head Coach
Charlotte coach Katie Meier, a former Duke MVP and Academic All-American has been named the University of Miami head women's basketball coach. Meier recently announced the hiring of Darrick Gibbs, Tombi Bell and Angie Hembree as assistant coaches with the University of Miami women's basketball team.

Shimmy Gray Named St. Louis Head Coach
Yeshimbra "Shimmy" Gray will become the women's basketball coach at Saint Louis after spending two years as an assistant at Arizona. She replaces Jill Pizzotti.

Clemson Names Head Coach
Cristy McKinney was announced as Clemson's new head coach. McKinney brings 12 years of Division I head coaching experience, all of which came at Rice. She compiled a record of 216-139 while in charge of the Lady Owl program. She is Rice's all-time winningest coach with the 216 victories.

Be sure to visit the WBCA Resource Center powered by AthleticLink.com to post open jobs and camps! New jobs and camps listed are every day!

Performance Training, Inc. is owned/directed by Jackie Ansley, a certified SAQ specialist currently sponsored by adidas. She and her staff have been providing training to local, national, and international teams and players for the past ten years. This summer is the time to dedicate yourself to extra training to gain the upper edge on your opponent. By working on your linear and lateral foot speed, lateral explosion, vertical explosion, balance, stabilization, strength and conditioning to dramatically improve your game. In addition to conditioning work, we will spend time on individual skills and team concepts that your coach feels the need to improve. The camps are limited to 20 players per session to keep personalized attention focused on each player. For more information email jackieansley@mindspring.com or visit www.performancetraininginc.com.

May 2, 2005:
WBCA Conference Captains - NCAA Division I Conference Call

May 2 - 4, 2005:
NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Committee Meeting

May 6, 2005: WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll Nomination Forms online @ WBCA.org

May 9, 2005:
WBCA Conference Captains - NCAA Division II/III Conference Calls

June 10 - 11, 2005:
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inductions

Betty F. Jaynes will celebrate her 60th birthday on September 1, 2005!
Visit the Betty F. Jaynes Internship Program section of WBCA.org to see how you can make a tax-deductible contribution to endow this program as a gift to Betty.

Attention! So are you looking for your next assistant coach?
If you have a coaching vacancy, Nike’s So You Want To Be A Coach participants are the best place to start. For participants’ contact information, please contact the WBCA at wbcaprojects@wbca.org.

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