Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA - Millersville University of Pennsylvania's Branden Lippy has been named the 2008 Women's Sports Foundation/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Graduate Assistant of the Year as selected by the Women's Sports Foundation. The award, along with $1,000, is presented annually to a female graduate assistant coach to recognize her contributions to a collegiate women's basketball program and her commitment to becoming a coach of women's basketball in the new millennium. The $1,000 will be awarded to Millersville University of Pennsylvania's women's basketball program.

"We are happy to present this year's Women's Sports Foundation/WBCA Graduate Assistant of the Year Award to Branden," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "It is so important for us to support and recognize those pursuing a career in coaching. We wish Branden much success as she continues on her path."

"Winners of the Women's Sports Foundation/WBCA Graduate Assistant of the Year award embody the Foundation's spirit through their commitment to becoming a women's basketball coach. The Foundation will proudly donate $1,000 in Branden Lippy's honor to her women's basketball program at Millersville University," stated Dr. Marj Snyder, Co-CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation.

Lippy participated in Nike's So You Want To Be A Coach program last April during the 2007 WBCA National Convention held in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Final Four in Cleveland. The daughter of a high school football coach, she began pursuing a career in coaching as an undergraduate student at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, majoring in special education with a minor in athletic coaching. Lippy, a former member of the Marauders basketball squad, helped lead the team to the 2004-05 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship, and she served as team captain for two seasons. She ranks fourth in school history for made three-pointers (135).

After graduating with her bachelor's degree last May, Lippy returned to Millersville University of Pennsylvania to pursue a Master's of Education in sport management while serving as the graduate assistant to head women's basketball coach Mary Fleig.

As the graduate assistant, Lippy has made valuable on-court and bench coaching contributions while attending all practices, games, training sessions, recruiting meetings and individual workouts.

Lippy will be formally presented the award at the 2008 WBCA Awards Luncheon presented by State Farm and Jostens on Tuesday, April 8, at Noon (ET) in the Marriott Waterside's Grand Ballroom. The luncheon takes place during the WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the 2008 NCAA® Women's Final Four® in Tampa Bay, Fla.

About the Women's Sports Foundation
This marks the 18th year the Women's Sports Foundation has recognized a Graduate Assistant of the Year. Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is a national charitable educational organization seeking to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. The Foundation's Participation, Education, Advocacy, Research and Leadership Programs are made possible by gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations. For more information, please call the Foundation at (800) 227-3988 or visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For additional information about the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.