2013 Center for Coaching Excellence Concludes with Second Session at Columbia

The second session of the 2013 edition of The Center for Coaching Excellence concluded on Wednesday, June 12, with 35 more college women's basketball coaches completing the invitation-only, two-and-a-half-day elite leadership program on the campus of Columbia University.

Capitalizing on the resources of Columbia University, one of the world's leading research universities, and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), The Center for Coaching Excellence provides an unparalleled, exclusive learning experience. Utilizing collaborative and interactive learning sessions along with lectures and panel discussions featuring experts in college athletics, The Center for Coaching Excellence gives college women's basketball coaches valuable networking opportunities with their peers and top industry leaders.

"With the completion of the sixth session of The Center for Coaching Excellence, another year of this remarkable program is in the books," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "More than 170 coaches of women's basketball have had the opportunity to grow professionally because of their attendance and participation in this two-and-a-half-day workshop. There is nothing like it for the coaches in any other sport. The WBCA is proud to partner with Columbia University in offering this unique experience to our membership."

"Our second session of The Center for Coaching Excellence this year was fabulous," said Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, director, Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education at Columbia University. "Through this wonderful program, we have now had the opportunity to engage nearly 200 college women's basketball coaches, and provide them with a thorough and unique learning experience."

Coaches attending the June 10-12 session included Karen Barefoot of Old Dominion University, Kim Barnes Arico of the University of Michigan, Joanne Boyle of the University of Virginia, Travis Brewster of the University of North Dakota, Keith Brown of Georgetown University, Paula Buscher of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Cara Consuegra of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Carrie Daniels of Austin Peay University, Jim Davis of Tennessee Tech University, Sharon Dawley of the University of Massachusetts, Carolyn DeHoff of North Dakota State University, Tracey Dorow of Valparaiso University, Brittney Ezell of Belmont University, Chris Gobrecht of Yale University, Joe Haigh of St. Francis College (Pa.), DeUnna Hendrix of High Point University, Aaron Johnston of South Dakota State University, Tamika Lewis of Delaware State University, Heather Macy of East Carolina University, Patricia Manning of Williams College, Karen Middleton of Western Carolina University, Faith Mimnaugh of California Polytechnic State University, Matilda Mossman of the University of Tulsa, Mike Neighbors of the University of Washington, Beth O'Boyle of Stony Brook University, Kate Peterson Abiad of Cleveland State University, Beryl Piper of Central Connecticut State University, Dawn Plitzuweit of the University of Northern Kentucky, Bill Reinson of Longwood University, Jennifer Roos of Bowling Green State University, Michael Shafer of the University of Richmond, Barbara Smith of Illinois State University, John Thurston of St. Francis College (N.Y.), Joi Williams of the University of Central Florida and Toyelle Wilson of Prairie View A&M University.

"I was so inspired and uplifted by the energy of the staff and panels involved in The Center for Coaching Excellence," said Boyle. "Dianne [Murphy] and Cathie [Siders] are so passionate about helping coaches gain wisdom and knowledge to best serve their student-athletes, athletics directors and universities. The Center for Coaching Excellence was invaluable in giving us the necessary skills and tools to lead our programs to the best of our availability, and I am leaving with a new appreciation and energy about the importance of great leadership in today's world."

"Attending The Center for Coaching Excellence is by far the best decision I have made for my professional development," said Williams. "There is no question that the insight I gained about myself will help me to be a more effective leaders. The Center for Coaching Excellence is a first-class event. The energy and passion that Dianne [Murphy] and Cathie [Siders] present with is outstanding and contagious."

Dr. Cathie T. Siders, a clinical psychologist, organizational consultant and executive coach, facilitated group-learning sessions. Other sessions featured panel discussions from a wide variety of leaders from both the college athletics industry and other sectors of industry.

"Over the past three years, I have been so fortunate to work with nearly 200 of our nation's college women's basketball head coaches," said Siders. "They are truly such wonderful leaders, teachers and mentors. Providing them with the tools they need to be successful is such a rewarding experience for me – and everyone associated with The Center for Coaching Excellence."

"The critical success and recognized importance of The Center for Coaching Excellence has enabled us to assemble a top-rate faculty each year – and this year was no different," said Murphy. "We were very fortunate to feature so many important men and women across the entire leadership spectrum of college women's basketball on our faculty. From conference commissioners and hall of fame head college women's basketball coaches to NCAA executives and an exceptional executive coach and clinical psychologist, our faculty truly is second to none."

Faculty for the June 10-12 session included Anucha Browne, vice president of women's basketball championships, NCAA; Val Ackerman, strategic consultant, NCAA and faculty, Columbia University School of Continuing Education; Bernadette McGlade, commissioner, Atlantic 10 Conference; John Steinbrecher, commissioner, Mid-American Conference; Marsha Sharp, head women's basketball coach emerita and associate athletics director, Texas Tech University; Stephanie Glance, head women's basketball coach, Columbia University; Muffet McGraw, head women's basketball coach, University of Notre Dame; Matthew Mitchell, head women's basketball coach, University of Kentucky; Bob Bowlsby, commissioner, Big 12 Conference; Rebecca Halstead, brigadier general, U.S. Army (Ret.).

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association 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 more information on the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.

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