Hello WBCA members and Happy Belated New Year!

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

As the New Year came rolling in, we inducted a new class of interns into the Betty F. Jaynes Internship Program. They are a strong group and have already shown the potential to becoming another legendary class! We are very excited to find out what legacy they will leave with the WBCA in their five months with us.

WBCA Board Member, Shelbyville's Rick Insell was featured on Dateline NBC in December 2004.

Right before the clock struck midnight to ring in 2005, I was able to catch the special on WBCA member Coach Rick Insell while watching Dateline on NBC. Coach Insell was profiled during his 2004 state championship season for his dedication to his players both on and off the court as they followed his team throughout last season. The character, courage, and determination of his team was evident as they faced and defeated numerous obstacles throughout the season. It was a true testament to our sport and the many female athletes who participate in women's basketball. It was a tremendous show and many thanks to Coach Insell for supporting the WBCA both as a coach, Board Member, and committee member.

In view of the fact that I am in the middle of SEC and ACC territory, I realized how fortunate I am to be able to roll right out of bed and be in the arena to see some great basketball. With Georgia Tech right here in my backyard, I was able to catch the Yellow Jackets take on Maryland and Clemson, respectively. Coach MaChelle Joseph led Tech to a victory over Clemson (53-48), while Coach Brenda Frese and the Maryland Terrapins pulled out a win (72-65) on Georgia Tech's home court. It was good times and some even better basketball!

January also brought the NCAA National Convention, which was held in Dallas, Texas. All hands were on deck as I prepared my presentation for the NCAA Division I Legislative Review Forum. I stayed at the Gaylord Resort, which was the official hotel of the convention. It is an amazing property with an outstanding contemporary design and an even greater staff. The expansive quarters were fit for royalty with many amenities right at your fingertips. I was also fortunate enough to have dinner with M. Dianne Murphy (Columbia University), Patty Viverito (Missouri Valley Conference), Cheryl Marra (University of Wisconsin - Madison), Sue Donohoe (NCAA), Sandy Barbour (UC, Berkeley), Carolyn Schlie Femovich (Patriot League), who joined me and two other WBCA staff members at the Silver Fox Restaurant, where we needed our own private room to share stories and discuss the future of women's basketball!

Despite the numerous activities and gorgeous scenery, we still were able to get some productive business done. While at the convention I, along with my counterpart, Jim Haney of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), were able to speak to the NCAA Board of Directors concerning the WBCA Recruiting and Access Package. In addition, I was able to attend the NCAA State of the Association Address given by NCAA President Myles Brand and was able to discuss and cover topics at all three NCAA divisions.

In the midst of my travels, I was able to catch up with Nels Hawkinson of Basketball Travelers Inc. As always, Nels and I had a productive meeting brainstorming various ideas on how to further utilize our great partnership.

As the month continued to fly by, the WBCA and Eastman Kodak Company extended their partnership through 2007. We were extremely excited and relieved to finalize this partnership. Since 1975, Kodak has been the title sponsor of the prestigious Kodak/WBCA All-America Team for NCAA Division I, which honors the ten best collegiate women's basketball players in the nation. Through WBCA Manager of Marketing, Sales and Activation Seana Peck's hard work, we closed the deal and we are grateful to have this relationship continue.

In addition to renewing our longtime commitment with Kodak, we welcomed a new partner in Avis as our title sponsor for the AVIS USA Today ESPN WBCA Coaches' Trophy for all NCAA divisions, as well as presenting sponsor of the AVIS Trophy to the NAIA and JC/CC National Champions. The WBCA and Avis reached a one-year agreement and look forward to a prosperous year together.

Finally, my travels landed me back to my second home of Indianapolis (I'm thinking a second home is in order!) to speak at the NCAA Division Championships/Competition Cabinet. I used this platform as another opportunity to speak on behalf of the WBCA reiterating its continued support of the Recruiting and Access proposals.

Now I am back at our national headquarters in Atlanta. It's time to hunker down for the end of conference play and begin "March Madness." Take care everyone and I look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis!

Until next time…

Your CEO,

Beth Bass

The Betty F. Jaynes Intern Class of 2005 lent their services to RUSSELL ATHLETIC at the 2005 RUSSELL ATHLETIC Shootout on February 13 here in Atlanta. Pictured from left to right are: Brittany Harmon, Denadjae Combs, Khadija Head, Leslie McMillan, Jennifer Smith, Joline Charlton, and Sahar Abdur-Rashid.

Labati Garners 300th Miami Win
Head oach Ferne Labati earned her 300th career win at the University of Miami behind a career-best 17-point outing by junior Katie Hayek and a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double by sophomore Imani Dhahabu as the Hurricanes downed Clemson, 83-69, on Jan. 31.

DeVane Resigns Monmouth Helm
Monmouth University Director of Athletics Dr. Marilyn McNeil has announced the resignation of women's basketball head coach and WBCA Board Member Jackie DeVane, effective immediately. Associate Head Coach Michele Baxter will take over on an interim basis.

Stacey Dales-Schuman Retires from WNBA
Washington Mystics guard Stacey Dales-Schuman, the third overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft, retired to pursue a career in broadcasting.

Southern New Hampshire Coach Resigns
Southern New Hampshire University women's basketball coach Dennis Masi has announced that he will resign his position effective the end of the 2004-05 season.

Seward County Coach Gets 400th Win
Head Coach Jim Littel earned his 400th career victory in a win over Colby Community College on Jan. 14, 62-48.

Avis and the WBCA have partnered to present the 2005 AVIS USA Today ESPN WBCA Coaches' Trophies for Division I, II, III. The Division I, II and III trophies are awarded to the winners of the USA Today ESPN Top 25 Coaches' Poll. Avis and the WBCA also present the AVIS Trophy to the NAIA and JC/CC National Champions.

Performance Training, Inc. will have two SAQ (speed, agility and quickness)/Conditioning Collegiate Camps in Knoxville, Tennessee. These camps will focus on linear and lateral movement, First-step explosion, vertical explosion, balance and stabilization as it applies to the game of basketball along with conditioning and strength training. The camp is designed for players wanting to get an edge over their opponent working hard in the off-season. For more information, email jackieansley@mindspring.com or call 865-531-5092.

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

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.

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!

Nike's So You Want To Be A Coach participants have been selected. Please see a complete listing of these individuals in the next issue of Coaching Women's Basketball magazine.

The WBCA has selected the 2005 WBCA High School All-America Team presented by Nike! 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 Indy? Please let us know. Contact Denadjae Combs at conv1intern@wbca.org with questions or if interested.

February 18, 2005:
Deadline for ALL WBCA AWARDS NOMINATIONS

February 25, 2005:
Deadline for WBCA All-Star Challenge Ballots

February 28, 2005:
WBCA National Convention Pre-Registration Deadline

March 4, 2005:
WBCA AWARDS BALLOTS DEADLINE

March 7, 2005:
WBCA Conference Captains conference call - Division I

March 13, 2005:
SELECTION SUNDAY

March 14, 2005:
WBCA Conference Captains conference call - Division II/III

March 15, 2005:
NAIA Division II National Championship

March 19, 2005:
NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship; NJCAA
Division II/III Women's Basketball Championship

March 22, 2005:
NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Championship

March 26, 2005:
NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship

April 2, 2005:
2005 WBCA National Convention On-Site Registration Begins

April 2, 2005
The "WBCA Night of All-Stars" at Nicoson Hall on the campus of the University of Indianapolis, 4:30 p.m.

April 2- 5, 2005:
24th Annual WBCA National Convention

April 4, 2005:
WBCA Awards Committees and Board of Directors Nomination Forms Deadline

April 6, 2005:
NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship

April 18, 2005:
WBCA Election Ballots Available at WBCA.org

April 29, 2005:
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