Hello WBCA Member!

I am here with yet another compilation 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 nearly two months since I last shared with you all my interesting quests that revolve around the game of women's basketball. In mid-June, I attended the NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) Convention. I have not been there in several years, and it was good to spend some time with the decision-makers on campus without having a specific agenda, i.e. Recruiting and Access Proposals.

Then, I went out to San Francisco to touch base with our new president Doug Bruno for a meeting with the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee. I want to say a special thanks to Lynn Parkes (University of Memphis Associate Athletic Director) who is the outgoing chair and to welcome Dr. Joni Comstock, the Director of Athletics at American University, as the in-coming chair.

(Front Row L to R): Beth Bass, Carol Stiff, Karen
Morrison. (Back Row, L to R): Marie Tuite, Marcy
Weston, Cathy North, Jean Berger and Michelle
Perry.

I had the opportunity to go golfing with Sue Donohoe (Vice President of Division I Women's Basketball), Joni Comstock, and Carol Stiff (ESPN). We played at Presidio Golf Course in San Francisco. Unfortunately, we did not win. I have to say that Carol Stiff's talent does not lie in golfing, but luckily she does a great job at ESPN!

(From L to R): Joni Comstock, Sue Donohoe and
Beth Bass.

I looped back and was able to celebrate one of my favorite holidays, July 4th, before heading to the WNBA All-Star Game at the Mohegan Sun Arena. While in Connecticut, I was able to spend some time with Donna Orender, WNBA President as well as current member of our WBCA Board of Directors.

I went from Mohegan Sun back to Boston to work on publicity for the 2006 WBCA Convention. We are doing one of our largest regional marketing pushes ever in our 25 years! We're working hand-in-hand with the Boston Local Organizing Committee as well as Rick Jones of Fish Bait Marketing.

Then, I came back into the office and went immediately to the Adidas Top Ten Camp at Suwanee, which I love to be able to hang out and have some sidebars with coaches to see what is happening on the recruiting trail. What a difference a year makes! Due largely in part to the passing of landmark legislation and a greater understanding of the governance process of the NCAA, I feel that more coaches want to be involved and in the circle of information here at the WBCA.

I also enjoyed the six days off with the new 10-6-10 recruiting format. I was able to start getting prepared for our in-person Board of Directors meeting (pictured below), what my staff began to jokingly call my "private convention". I wanted to blow up the agenda for the meeting this year as well as have it off-site for the first time since 1998. It was ambitious, and the staff did an unbelievable job pulling it together. Please check out the recap on our Board meeting by visiting www.wbca.org.

With the changing of two WBCA bylaws, our presence in Division I increased by four members. The process, sparked by Marsha Sharp's vision and continued by Wendy Larry, has pushed our leadership, decision makers and stakeholders to be more involved in our game as well as taking a more active role in the WBCA. The meeting schedule was very thought provoking and very engaging.



During the meeting, we received the word that Sue Gunter (pictured above and below), former head coach at Louisiana State University and Stephen F. Austin, had passed away. Sue Gunter was obviously a legend and pioneer for our sport. She started coaching in 1963 and was a mentor to the big names in coaching now, including Jody Conradt (University of Texas head coach) and Pat Summitt (University of Tennessee head coach) and was chosen to begin her Olympic coaching career in 1975 by Billie Moore (UCLA former head coach).



She was always behind the scenes, never wanting the credit for herself. Pokey Chapman (Louisiana State University head coach) and Ann Meyers-Drysdale (ESPN) really did a beautiful job at the service. Everyone had a story in which Sue had made them feel as though they were the only person in the world.

In my days at Converse, she really took me under her wing, as I was a young professional, a yearling. Her efforts to get me to understand the corporate world stick with me to this day.

The first person that I saw at the Atlanta airport on my way to Baton Rouge was Bill Stokes, a seasoned official in the women's game. I walked up to Bill and said, "Unfortunately Bill, I think that we are going to the same place," and he said, "Yes we are." I think that just shows the totality of her impact on our sport, that even the officials respected her so much. She ranted and raved and used very spicy language to communicate with the officials, but she never got a technical. I think that may be a record in itself!

During the service, so many reiterated that even through her illness Sue never lost her fire. Her caregiver shared a story that Sue was very particular about how she liked her peanut butter crackers (peanut butter on the unsalted side). Well, after preparing the snack for her one day, Sue asked the caregiver to open the door in her room. She had taken her outside earlier that day so the caregiver didn't think twice about it and opened the door in hopes that she would enjoy some fresh air with her snack. As soon as she did, Sue threw the crackers out the door because the peanut butter was on the wrong side! That's how feisty she was to the end. She never lost her spunk.

I felt so privileged to even be around this gathering of coaches and friends in the game celebrating her life. It eliminates institution, affiliation and the boundaries of coaching and reminds you of the foundation in which the game of basketball has truly and seamlessly stemmed from. It was a very humbling experience.

I kept it together until we had to say goodbye and I saw Marynell Meadors (Washington Mystics), Pat, Billie and Jody standing together saying goodbye to their dear friend. That's when it hit me that an era had ended. It seemed that there was not enough air in Baton Rouge to help me get the lump out of my throat. Sue would not want it to be the end of an era, but the beginning of a legacy and it is our responsibility to continue it. I will tremendously miss her and so will a lot of other individuals. Please be sure to visit ESPN's tribute to Sue Gunter and pay your respects to a pioneer, legend and now legacy in women's basketball. Godspeed my friend.

Until next time.

Your CEO,

Beth Bass

Registration for the WBCA's 25th National Convention in Boston opens on Sept. 6!

Celebrate Betty F. Jaynes 60th Birthday!

On September 1, Betty will turn 60 and our goal was to collect $60,000 for the Betty F. Jaynes (BFJ) Internship Program to honor her on this occasion. We are well short of our goal but it is not too late to make your tax-deductible contribution. Contact Dorinda Schremmer at dorindas@wbca.org or (770) 279-8027 ext. 106 for details. Thanks to everyone who has already made a donation. Your contribution goes a long way in providing opportunities for seven individuals to gain experience in the world of women's basketball.

Bibby Leaves Sparks Bench, Bryant Takes Over
Henry Bibby's tenure as coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks ended Wednesday after just 28 games on the job. Sparks president Johnny Buss issued a statement saying Bibby would no longer coach the team, although Buss said his preference was to not call it a firing. Joe “Jellybean” Bryant (father of NBA star Kobe Bryant) will take over the helm at this time and until Joe and Sparks president Johnny Buss have time to discuss the duties for the remainder of the 2005 WNBA season.

Seattle Pacific Names Head Coach
Julie van Beek, a Northwest native who started a program and molded it into a national power at Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene, has been named the new head coach of women’s basketball at Seattle Pacific University. Van Beek replaces Gordy Presnell, who resigned June 3 after 18 years to accept a position at Boise State.

Katie Smith Hits 5,000 Points
Katie Smith remained understated while reaching a professional milestone. With another of her off-balance shots, she became the first woman to reach 5,000 career points as a U.S. professional in Minnesota's 71-61 win over Detroit on July 13.

Northern Michigan Coach Resigns
A highly successful coaching era came to an end on May 27, when Northern Michigan women's basketball coach Mike Geary resigned from his position after 17 seasons. Northern was 370-123 under Geary's direction, including trips to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight Tournaments.

Minnesota-Duluth Puts Fiero at Helm
Sue Fiero, who's been involved with the Bulldog program for the better part of the past nine years, was named the head coach at her alma mater, Minnesota-Duluth. Fiero, 27, served as a Bulldog assistant coach the past three years and was a graduate assistant in 2000-01. During that time, UMD amassed an 86-36 overall record.

Western New England Names Head Coach
Former Temple captain Nicole Chaszar has been named women’s basketball coach at Western New England, athletics director Mike Theulen announced Aug. 10. Chaszar, 27, served as an assistant coach at Division I Rhode Island the last two seasons and was the director of the squad’s 2004 summer camp.

UW-Oshkosh Turns to Terri Schumacher
UW-Oshkosh turned to one of its all-time hardwood greats and named Terri Schumacher as its fourth head women's coach. The 1986 UW-Oshkosh graduate replaces Pam Ruder, who resigned after nine seasons to become the head coach at Southwestern.

Crabtree Named Coach at Mount Ida
Candace Crabtree, who coached Rowan to the 1998 Final Four and is the program's all-time leader in coaching victories, was named head coach at Mount Ida. Crabtree, who was 171-25 (.872) in seven seasons coaching the Profs, was most recently an assistant coach at William and Mary. She left Rowan after the 1999-2000 season to take the head coaching job at Drexel, where she was 45-42.

Northern Iowa Coach Receives Extension
University of Northern Iowa head women's basketball coach Tony DiCecco has received a contract extension through the 2007-2008 season, UNI director of athletics Rick Hartzell announced.This is a two-year extension, as DiCecco's current contract was set to expire at the end of the 2005-06 campaign.

Mugg Steps Down From TU Post
After seven years, 78 victories and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament, Tiffin University women's basketball coach Leslie Mugg has decided to go in another direction. Mugg left the program ranked second in all-time wins.
Mugg, who also served as assistant athletics director and senior women's administrator for the athletics department, said she will be leaving TU, as well as the coaching profession.

Smith Bradley to Coach Trinity
Amie Smith Bradley was named coach of the Trinity women's basketball team on July 20.
Bradley, who played for Texas and is a member of the school's 1,000-point club, succeeds Becky Geyer, who left after 13 seasons.

Junkanoo Jam Tournament Teams Set
Eight Division I women's basketball teams, including Texas and Rutgers, will compete in the third annual Junkanoo Jam Tournament this Thanksgiving weekend at the Grand Bahama Island.This year's tournament, which takes place Nov. 25-26, includes Texas, George Washington, Purdue and South Carolina in the Lucaya Division, while Iowa State, North Carolina State, North Florida and Rutgers will compete in the Freeport Division.

TCU Extends Mittie's Contract
TCU and head women's basketball coach Jeff Mittie have agreed on a multiyear contract extension, athletics director Danny Morrison announced. Specific terms were not released per university policy. Mittie, who in 2005-06 will enter his seventh year at TCU, boasts a 284-119 (.705) record in 13 collegiate seasons, including a 133-60 (.689) mark with the Lady Frogs.

State Farm Tip-Off Classic Teams Set
The 2005 State Farm Women's Tip-Off Classic has all the appearances of being an SEC-Big 12 showdown. . .as well as a preview of the 2005-06 women's collegiate basketball campaign. Texas Tech and Baylor from the Big 12 Conference will take on LSU and Georgia, respectively, from the Southeastern Conference in this year's Tip-Off Classic, an event that annually features four of the nation's top women's collegiate basketball squads in a season-opening doubleheader.

Janell Jones to Coach UC San Diego
UC San Diego Director of Athletics Earl W. Edwards announced Thursday that Janell Jones has been hired as the new women’s basketball head coach, replacing Judy Malone who retired in March after 29 seasons at the helm. She takes over a program that has made six NCAA tournament appearances in the last 11 years and posted 17 wins last year, its most since moving to the NCAA Division II level in 2000-01. Jones is just the fourth head coach in program history.

Sept. 12, 2005
Nike's So You Want To Be A Coach Applications go online!

Oct. 14, 2005
Official Start of Practice for NCAA Division I.

Oct. 15, 2005
Official Start of Practice for NCAA Division II and III.