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 The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is an association of coaches of women's basketball teams at all levels. The organization was formed in 1981, with the goal of addressing the needs of women's basketball coaches. The mission[1] of the WBCA is:
The WBCA advocates[2] in support of the rights of women and girls of all ages, provides education for coaches, and promotes the coaching profession with awards for coaches and players. While many of the awards are related to basketball activities, the WBCA recognizes the need for academic as well as athletic excellence and recognizes academic excellence with their Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll.[3]
[edit] HistoryAn organizational meeting was held at the Olympic Festival in Syracuse, N.Y. in 1981. Jill Hutchison was named the first president of the organization, before the organization even had a name. Later that year, Betty Jaynes was named the interim executive director of the organization. Jaynes was the head coach of the James Madison University women's basketball team, but she resigned her position to take on the responsibilities of the WBCA. She would serve as the Chief Executive Officer until retiring in November of 2000, turning over the position to Beth Bass.[1] Bass joined the organization as Executive Director in 1997, and assumed the role of CEO after the retirement of Jaynes,[4] who continues to serve as a consultant to the WBCA.[5] [edit] MembershipThe membership is open to virtually all, including institutions. The main membership category is "active" comprising the coaching staff of NCAA divisions I, II, and III, as well as NAIA, junior college and community college coaches. In addition, there are membership categories for high school, AAU and recreational league coaches, as well as international and professional coaches. Institutions are allowed to become members. Finally, there is an affiliate category for fans, parents, media, or anyone who is a friend of women's basketball.[6] [edit] Events and initiativesThe WBCA sponsors a variety of events throughout the year. The major event is the annual convention, coinciding both in timing and location with the Final Four weekend of the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship. Other sponsored events occur throughout the year, some in conjunction with the annual convention, others at different times. [edit] ConventionThe main function of the convention is for business meetings, such as Board of Directors meetings, and other administrative meetings.[7] The program also typically includes panel presentations including members and outside speakers, workshops, awards and outside exhibitors. [edit] WBCA High School All-America GameThe WBCA sponsors an All America game, inviting twenty of the nation's top high school female basketball players. Only seniors in high school are eligible. In addition to the twenty players invited to play in the game, an additional twenty players are named as Honorable Mention All-Americans. The invited players are divided into two teams, and play an all star game in the same city as the Final Four (although usually at a different venue). The game is typically scheduled to be on the off day between the national Semi-Final game and the National Final game of the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship.[8] [edit] So You Want To Be A CoachThe WBCA sponsors a program aimed at ethnically minority female basketball players who show an interest in becoming coaches.[9] The program is organized in parallel with the annual convention, at the same locations, and includes a "two and a half day crash course in what the coaching profession entails".[10] Supporters of the program include some of the major names in the sport such as Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer[11] [edit] WBCA Pink ZoneThe major charitable initiative of the WBCA encourages coaches to raise awareness of breast cancer in various ways. Each year, a number of women's basketball games are designed Pink Zone games. One or both of the teams wear pink uniforms. The event is usually coupled with a money raising effort; the proceeds are dedicated to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, in partnership with The V Foundation.[12] The NCAA participates with their "Calling for a Cure" campaign. As part of that campaign, the referees in NCAA women's basketball games use pink whistles during the designated Pink Zone dates.[13] [edit] AwardsThe WBCA sponsors a number of awards, with the intention to promote the development of the game. Awards are given for overall achievements by players and coaches, as well as broadcasters, administration, and academic results. [edit] Players awards[edit] Player of the Year AwardsThe State Farm Wade Trophy is awarded annually to "the best women's college basketball player in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I".[14][15] The State Farm/WBCA Players of the Year award is the counterpart to the Wade trophy for the best women's basketball player in:
The Defensive Player of the Year is awarded to the best defensive collegiate Division I player.[20] The Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award is awarded to the most outstanding Division I female basetball player 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) (previously 5 feet 6 inches or 1.68m)[21] [edit] All-America TeamsThe WBCA selects the top ten players in each of five divisions:[22]
[edit] Coaches AwardsThe WBCA presents an award to the National Coach of the year in each of six divisions:
The WBCA presents an award to the Rookie Coach of the Year. The award is named in honor of Maggie Dixon, the former coach of the Army Women's Basketball team, who passed away shortly after competing her rookie season as a coach.[29]  The NCAA and WBCA jointly award a Coaches trophy, presented to the team that finishes first in the USA TODAY ESPN Division I Top 25 Coaches' Poll.[30] [edit] Academic AwardsThe WBCA recognizes the need for academic as well as athletic excellence, and promotes academic excellence with its Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll, recognizing the top 25 teams, as measured by overall GPA, in each of five divisions:[3]
[edit] Media AwardsThe WBCA presents an annual scholarship award, The Robin Roberts/WBCA Broadcasting Scholarship, to a female basketball player intending to pursue graduate work and a career in sports journalism.[36] Past recipients include Stacey Dales. The WBCA presents an annual award to a member of the media who:[37]
The inaugural award (1991) was presented to Mel Greenberg. In subsequent years, the award was named the Mel Greenberg Media Award. [edit] See Also
[edit] Notes
[edit] External
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