BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott women's basketball senior guard Emily Pratt (Gardner, Mass.) has been selected to participate in the 2020 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) "So You Want To Be A Coach" program. The 18th annual event is a three-day workshop with speakers provided by WeCOACH on April 2-4 in conjunction with the WBCA Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Pratt, a sport management major at Endicott, was encouraged to apply to the program by women's basketball head coach Brittany Hutchinson, women's basketball assistant coach Julia Duggan, Dean of Sport Science and Fitness Studies Deborah Swanton, Professor of Sport Management Katherine Kilty, and Assistant Dean of the Entrepreneurship Center Deirdre Sartorelli, among many others.
Pratt will bring a bevy of coaching experience to the program in April as her resume includes years of involvement in coaching for the Bay State Games and the Central Mass Lightning Club.
Pratt also brings several leadership experiences to the "So You Want To Be A Coach" program, which is highlighted by her involvement with Endicott's L.E.A.D. (Leaders of the Endicott Athletic Department) program, the Women in LEADership organization, You're With Us, Boston Vs Bullies, Best Buddies, and as a three-year camp counselor with the Westminster Recreation Department.
Meanwhile, her experiential learning opportunities include athletic department internships at the Pingree School and Fitchburg State University.
ABOUT THE "SO YOU WANT TO BE A COACH" PROGRAM
The objectives of the "So" program are to increase the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women's basketball, increase the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in coaching, introduce female basketball players to coaches and administrators, and raise awareness of the existing talent pool of female basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching the game of women's basketball.
"So" participants will learn about the administrative side of coaching, recruiting, how to get hired, skill development, the importance of knowing the rules, and how to balance work and life.
Qualified candidates must have exhausted their final year of basketball eligibility at a four-year institution or have graduated within the past year. In addition, the candidate's head coach has to nominate them and must be an active WBCA member. Each participant is selected based on her academics, contributions to women's basketball on and off the court, professional resume and a written recommendation from their head coach.
"'So You Want To Be A Coach' is the longest-running education program the WBCA offers, and it remains as popular with member coaches and student-athletes today as it was when it began," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "'So' is the entry point for women's basketball players who want to coach. Because of their participation in it, hundreds of former college women's basketball players are working or have worked as coaches or in some role in our sport. Our partnership with WeCOACH enables us to make this program even better."
ABOUT THE WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers, and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit www.WBCA.org for more details about the Association.
ABOUT WECOACH
Founded in 2011, WeCOACH has become the premier membership organization committed to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches across all sports and levels. Previously known as the Alliance of Women Coaches, the organization reinvigorated its brand in August 2018. By providing a supportive and unified network, educational programs and resources, and access to in-person and digital resources, WeCOACH is changing the landscape for female coaches. Learn more at www.wecoachsports.org.
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(Photo Credit - Nick Grace '20)
