The second and final session of the 2013 edition of The Center for Coaching Excellence concluded last week with 35 more college women's basketball coaches, including several from the America East, completing the invitation-only, two-and-a-half-day elite leadership program on the campus of Columbia University. Eight of the nine conference coaches have participated in the program throughout the last three years.
"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."
Capitalizing on the resources of Columbia University, one of the world's leading research universities, and the 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. 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,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “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."
The majority of America East coaches have attended the conference since 2011 including:
Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, Albany- 2011
Richard Barron, Maine - 2012
Lori Gear-McBride, Vermont - 2013
Maureen Magarity, New Hampshire - 2012
Beth O’Boyle, Stony Brook - 2013
Jennifer Rizzotti, Hartford - 2011
Nicole Scholl, Binghamton - 2013
“Attending the Center for Coaching Excellence was a tremendous opportunity for me to collaborate with some of the top coaches in the country,” said University of New Hampshire head coach Maureen Magarity. “It was an amazing experience and was greatly beneficial to my professional development.”
"Dr. Diane Murphy and her staff at Columbia have worked very hard at putting together a relevant seminar for women's basketball coaches,” stated Maine head coach Richard Barron. “The topics and the methods of interaction lead to thoughtful discussions about issues that affect the game both on and off the court. The Center, the WBCA, and supporting coaches like Geno Auriemma, are to be commended for their leadership."
"The Center for Coaching Excellence was truly a remarkable experience that provides women's basketball coaches with a unique opportunity to learn quality leadership skills while also promoting our game,” Stony Brook head coach Beth O’Boyle said after attending this past session.
Faculty of the June 10-12, 2013 session of The Center for Coaching Excellence 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, US Army (Ret.).