NEWS RELEASES 2023

December 8, 2023 – WeCOACH is pleased to announce a two-year conference-wide membership with the Big Ten Conference. This membership includes all 14 member institutions. The membership will also include new members, including UCLA, USC, the University of Washington and the University of Oregon, when they join the Conference in 2024.

“Our membership with WeCOACH is yet another way in which the Big Ten Conference and its institutions support and invest in women’s sports. We’re excited for the partnership with WeCOACH and look forward to working with them.” Rebecca Pany, Senior Vice President, Sports Administration.

The Big Ten’s unlimited membership is active immediately, allowing each of the conference’s 14 institutions to enroll an unlimited number of female coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH such as the WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy & Academy 2.0, Regional Workshops, Mentor Program, Video Chats, WeAMPLIFY (women of color initiative), WeCONNECT Women Coaches, and newly created WeELEVATE Women Coaches focused on preparing women who want to become head coaches.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to impact and elevate the women coaches in the Big Ten. The recent data included in the Tucker Center report demonstrates we have entered a new era of incline for women in coaching where the Big Ten was highlighted for leading the way. We applaud the Big Ten leadership under Commissioner Petitti’s guidance for their investment and modeling what support looks like for women in sport,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

About WeCOACH
Founded in 2011, WeCOACH is a one-of-a-kind 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. Prior to Title IX, over 90% of women’s collegiate sports teams were coached by women. Today, over 50 years later, the data indicates that number has decreased to 46% in Division I, 41% across all three NCAA Divisions, with only 6.2% women head coaches of color (Division I). Only 5% women coach men’s teams. At the youth level, the data is hard to estimate, approximately less than 20% of teams are coached by women. WeCOACH launched MOVE the NUMBERS in 2022 to help change the landscape for women coaches and the student-athletes they lead. If she can see her, she can be her. For more information visit MOVE the NUMBERS.

WeCOACH Launches WeELEVATE: Empowering Women Assistant Coaches to Achieve Coaching Excellence

November 13, 2023

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November 13, 2023 – WeCOACH proudly debuts another mission-advancing leadership program, WeELEVATE Women Coaches, designed to empower assistant coaches with the confidence, skills, and readiness to lead as head coaches. The first WeELEVATE virtual workshop will debut December 11, featuring a coach panel led by representatives from Collegiate Sports Associates (CSA) focused on strategies assistant and associate coaches can implement to make a purposeful transition to head coaching.

“Through WeELEVATE, our organization will take a greater leadership role to assist athletics directors and hiring managers with identifying talented women coaches in all sports and levels who are ready to take the next step in their coaching careers. This program will equip assistant coaches with deeper knowledge and skills needed to realize their coaching aspirations while also furthering our mission to advance and retain women coaches. We are grateful to leadership at the ACC and Pac-12 for giving us the inspiration for this new initiative,” Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

This program aims to build a diverse and well-qualified pool of head coaching candidates within the WeCOACH Community. Quarterly WeELEVATE workshops will underscore the key expectations and unique demands placed on head coaches while also imparting strategies for taking on more prominent leadership roles as assistant coaches to gain exposure to critical experiences necessary to elevate into a head coach role. Seasoned head coaches alongside individuals stepping into their first head coaching roles will share wisdom and invaluable insights related to navigating the search and interview process, mastering contract negotiations, hiring a staff, fostering positive coach-administrative relationships, and more.

Registration is now open for current WeCOACH members across all sports and coaching levels. To learn more about WeELEVATE Women Coaches or to register, visit: wecoachsports.org/weelevate. To learn more about all WeCOACH programs and member benefits, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/why-join, or email info@wecoachsports.org.

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ABOUT WeCOACH
Founded in 2011, WeCOACH is a one-of-a-kind 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. Prior to Title IX, over 90% of women’s collegiate sports teams were coached by women. Today, over 50 years later, the data indicates that number has decreased to 46% in Division I, 41% across all three NCAA Divisions, with only 6.2% women head coaches of color (Division I). Only 5% women coach men’s teams. At the youth level, the data is hard to estimate, approximately less than 20% of teams are coached by women. WeCOACH launched MOVE the NUMBERS in 2022 to help change the landscape for women coaches and the student-athletes they lead. If she can see her, she can be her. For more information visit MOVE the NUMBERS.

WeCOACH Announces Upgraded League-Wide Membership with the Ivy League

November 6, 2023

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November 6, 2023 – WeCOACH, along with the Ivy League, are pleased to announce an upgraded conference-wide membership for the 2023-24 academic year. The membership is active immediately, offering each of the league’s eight institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH, including the new WeCONNECT Women Coaches program that was unveiled in October.

“The continued collaboration between the Ivy League and WeCOACH is a testament to our shared commitment to elevating professional opportunities for female coaches,” Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris said. “This partnership reaffirms our dedication and support to providing mentorship and resources that empower female coaches to thrive and reach their fullest potential.”

A one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization with the mission to recruit, advance and retain women coaches in all sports and levels, WeCOACH offers year-round professional growth and leadership programs to help navigate the challenges and obstacles women coaches face to stay in, feel supported, and advance in the coaching profession. Ivy League women coaches will have access to premier programs such as the WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy & Academy 2.0, Regional Workshops, Mentor Program, Video Chats, WeAMPLIFY (women of color initiative), new About Time video podcast, and more.

“The Ivy League has earned recognition in the Tucker Center’s annual Women in College Coaching Report Card as a national leader amongst Division I conferences for its commitment to

hiring women coaches, so we are thrilled for the opportunity to continue offering their coaches year-round support. We applaud Executive Director, Robin Harris, and the Ivy League’s leadership for their investment in professional growth opportunities to elevate their member coaches,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

ABOUT THE IVY LEAGUE

The Ivy League stands at the pinnacle of higher education and Division I athletics, rooted in the longstanding, defining principle that intercollegiate athletics competition should be “kept in harmony with the essential educational purposes of the institution.” Unrivaled in its legacy, The Ivy League provides the true test of academic and co-curricular rigor – fostering an enduring culture that celebrates a storied-tradition, thrives on shared values and holds paramount the academic and personal growth of students. Consistently ranked as the top academic conference and with more national championships than any other collegiate athletic conference, The Ivy League showcased over 240 nationally-ranked programs over the past three years and prides itself on sponsoring 34 sports, the highest number of any NCAA conference, with more than 8,000 student-athletes competing annually. The League’s world-renowned schools – Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton and Yale – serve as the standard bearers for inspiring and transforming student- athletes to boldly take on the world’s challenges and lead lives of great impact.

ABOUT WeCOACH

Founded in 2011, WeCOACH is a one-of-a-kind 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. Prior to Title IX, over 90% of women’s collegiate sports teams were coached by women. Today, over 50 years later, the data indicates that number has decreased to 46% in Division I, 41% across all three NCAA Divisions, with only 6.2% women head coaches of color (Division I). Only 5% women coach men’s teams. At the youth level, the data is hard to estimate, approximately less than 20% of teams are coached by women. WeCOACH launched MOVE the NUMBERS in 2022 to help change the landscape for women coaches and the student-athletes they lead. If she can see her, she can be her. For more information visit MOVE the NUMBERS.

WeCOACH Announces New Partnership with FSU COACH

November 1, 2023

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November 1, 2023 – WeCOACH is excited to announce a new five-year partnership with FSU COACH: Interdisciplinary Center for Athletic Coaching. FSU COACH offers an online Master’s in Athletic Coaching as well as an online Graduate Certificate in Athletic Coaching housed within FSU’s Interdisciplinary Center for Athletic Coaching, the first academic center in the United States dedicated to coaching. Through this collaboration, WeCOACH members will be eligible to apply for academic scholarships to support their pursuit of advanced education through the FSU COACH program. In addition, current students enrolled in the FSU COACH program will have discounted access to join WeCOACH as members.

Dr. Tim Baghurst expressed, “WeCOACH has a long history of prioritizing education and development of their coaches. We are thrilled to be part of that process and look forward to working with them on a variety of initiatives that support their mission. We hope that members consider expanding their knowledge and credentials by enrolling in our online “for coaches by coaches” Master’s in Athletic Coaching degree.”

The online Master’s in Athletic Coaching program has been designed by coaches for coaches with the goal of providing current and future coaches and sports professionals with current knowledge and best practices that are based on experience and research. The master’s program can be completed in one year or can be taken over a longer period of time. The online Graduate Certificate in Athletic Coaching requires students to take four classes that can be completed in one year.

“A priority focus has been to expand the member benefits offered to our WeCOACH Community. To be able to offer academic scholarships through FSU COACH to offset expenses for women coaches to pursue advanced education is vitally important to their advancement and retention in the profession. We are grateful to Dr. Tim Baghurst’s leadership to create enhanced educational pathways for our members,” says Vanessa Fuchs, WeCOACH CEO.

To learn more about FSU COACH and all WeCOACH partners, visit wecoachsports.org/get- involved/wecoach-partners. To learn more about WeCOACH programs and member benefits, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/why-join.

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About FSU COACH

FSU COACH was founded in 2019 to prepare and equip athletic coaches and sports professionals at all levels with evidence-based education and research that informs and improves their coaching. Coaches often receive little training and support when it comes to professional development and performance improvement. They may rely on their experiences as athletes to be successful. FSU COACH is dedicated to using research and scientific knowledge to help coaches become better at what they do so that their athletes are more successful within and external to their sport. This is accomplished through academic programming, conducting research, coach development, and supporting external organizations through training and professional development. Learn more at https://fsu-coach.fsu.edu/.

About WeCOACH

WeCOACH Announces Promotion for Team Member Lizzy Ristano

October 30, 2023

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October 30, 2023 – WeCOACH CEO, Vanessa Fuchs, is pleased to announce Lizzy Ristano has been promoted to Associate Director of Member Outreach & Engagement. In this newly created position, Ristano will oversee the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and communications to ensure all WeCOACH members maximize their membership experience. This position will also offer personalized member outreach to promote year-round engagement and a strong return on investment.

“As our Community grows, a priority focus is to ensure we maintain a personal touch and connection with our members. We want them to engage with our programs and events year- round. Lizzy has played a significant role in helping to elevate WeCOACH to unprecedented levels of success since joining our team over one year ago. With her 17+ years coaching experience, along with being one of our very own WCA graduates, Lizzy has been in our members’ shoes and is exactly who we need leading our outreach & engagement efforts,” said Vanessa Fuchs, WeCOACH CEO.

Prior to joining Team WeCOACH in August 2022, Ristano served her alma mater as Notre Dame Softball’s Associate Head Coach for 17 years. An active WeCOACH member for many years, Lizzy graduated from the WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy (WCA) in 2010. In her first 14 months with WeCOACH, she fulfilled roles with memberships, programs and events, and external communications.

To learn more about Team WeCOACH, visit https://wecoachsports.org/about/staff/. To learn more about WeCOACH programs and member benefits, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/why-join.

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About WeCOACH

sports teams were coached by women. Today, over 50 years later, the data indicates that number has decreased to 46% in Division I, 41% across all three NCAA Divisions, with only 6.2% women head coaches of color (Division I). Only 5% women coach men’s teams. At the youth level, the data is hard to estimate, approximately less than 20% of teams are coached by women. WeCOACH launched MOVE the NUMBERS in 2022 to help change the landscape for women coaches and the student-athletes they lead. If she can see her, she can be her. For more information visit MOVE the NUMBERS.

WeCOACH Announces New Conference-Wide Membership with the Southern Conference

October 16, 2023

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October 16, 2023 – WeCOACH is pleased to announce a new conference-wide membership with the Southern Conference (SoCon) for the 2023-24 academic year. The membership is active immediately, allowing each of the league’s 10 institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH.

Michael Cross, SoCon Commissioner stated, “The Southern Conference’s partnership with WeCOACH is an important step in our ongoing commitment to nurturing the growth of our female coaches. We recognize the critical importance of professional development, networking, and education in the realm of intercollegiate athletics. Providing support through WeCOACH was an easy decision that resonates with our vision of fostering an education-centric and values-driven environment. Coaching is an inherently demanding profession that is experiencing rapid evolution. We believe the mentorship, guidance, and strategies offered by WeCOACH will be difference-making for the careers of participating coaches and by extension will meaningfully impact the student-athletes they mentor.”

Terri Brne, SoCon Senior Associate Commissioner offered, “Our partnership with WeCOACH represents a bold step toward equity and a full commitment to providing the resources and support necessary for SoCon female coaches, administrators, and staff to thrive. This collaboration is designed to empower and elevate female coaches, administrators, and staff within the conference.”

A one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization with the mission to recruit, advance and retain women coaches in all sports and levels, WeCOACH offers year-round professional growth and leadership programs to help navigate the challenges and obstacles women coaches face to stay in, feel supported, and advance in the coaching profession. SoCon women coaches will have access to premier programs such as the WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy & Academy 2.0, Regional Workshops, Mentor Program, Video Chats, WeAMPLIFY (women of color initiative), and the new About Time podcast. This membership also includes access to WeCONNECT Women Coaches, a new coach-led, coach-inspired peer-to-peer learning opportunity that was unveiled on National Coaches Day.

“We are grateful for Commissioner Cross and the leadership at the Southern Conference for their commitment to invest in professional growth opportunities to elevate their women coaches. Now our eleventh Division I conference this year, WeCOACH is committed to growing and expanding our program offerings to meet the needs of our vast expanding membership. Together, we will MOVE the NUMBERS to support and increase women in coaching,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

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ABOUT THE SOCON
The SoCon is the fifth-oldest NCAA Division I college athletic association. The SoCon contested the first-ever collegiate conference basketball tournament in 1921, tackled freshman eligibility in 1922, became the first conference to adopt the 3-point field goal in basketball in 1980 and developed women’s championships in 1984. For more information click here.

WeCOACH Introduces Endeavor as New Champion of the Mentor Program

October 13, 2023

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October 13, 2023 – WeCOACH is excited to announce a new national partnership with Endeavor that features a financial investment to bolster the impact of the WeCOACH Mentor Program and more. This year marks the seventh year of the Mentor Program, and with Endeavor as its new champion, over 160 women coach participants will now benefit from dynamic “masterclasses,” featuring WME clients.

Endeavor’s support also allocates Academy scholarship funding for women coaches from underserved communities, establishes new research to measure the effectiveness and impact of the Mentor Program, and more.

“As a company, we strive to break systemic barriers and create access, particularly for underrepresented communities,” said Romola Ratnam, SVP and Head of Impact and Inclusion at Endeavor. “WeCOACH has put incredible support in place for women coaches and we look forward to working together to expand and amplify the program.”

“Having personally witnessed the transformative power of mentorship in women’s sports, I’m honored to participate in the WeCOACH Mentor Program as a champion,” said Lindsay Gottlieb, USC’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach and WME client. “This Endeavor partnership underscores our ability to expand networks, share experiences, and dismantle barriers for women coaches through collaborative efforts. I’m thrilled to contribute to WeCOACH’s vital work in highlighting the pivotal role women play in coaching.”

The eight-month WeCOACH Mentor Program was constructed based on research demonstrating that women coaches who have been coaching between 7 to 10 years are at a pivotal point in their career, and statistically leave the profession at the highest rate. To best support coaches at this point in their career they are the central figure in their assigned “trio,” serving as both a mentor and mentee. Participants trios are three levels of mentor/mentee group dynamics based on level of experience: Gold (10+ years coaching experience, head coaching experience preferred), Silver (5-10 years), and Bronze (less than 5 years).

“I became a member of WeCOACH through the suggestion of a longtime mentor of mine, Coach Beth

Launiere, so I could learn from, lean in, and give back to the sport I love. We all face similar challenges and the WeCOACH Mentor Program offers a community of women in various leadership roles throughout the country who can help us navigate the struggles and the successes of coaching. Marci Kornegay, Julie Shackford, Breanna Finch, LA Lane, and many others have been instrumental in my development as a coach and person. I hope to continue empowering women at all levels of the game as a member of this great organization,” said Cinthia Angus, Assistant Volleyball Coach at Saint Mary’s College of California.

“WeCOACH is ecstatic to collaborate with Endeavor to ensure women coaches, in all sports and levels, have long lasting and fulfilling careers, with an overflow of support from their fellow female coaches,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH. “Not only will this partnership with Endeavor accelerate career pathways, and expand networks for current women coaches, but it will also position aspiring women coaches and women from underserved communities on paths for success as leaders in sport. Our organizations’ combined passion for the mission coupled with Endeavor’s expansive network makes the impact potential of this partnership immeasurable.”

To learn more about Endeavor and all WeCOACH partners, visit wecoachsports.org/get- involved/wecoach-partners. To learn more about WeCOACH programs and member benefits, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/why-join.

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About Endeavor
Endeavor (NYSE: EDR) is a global sports and entertainment company, home to many of the world’s most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events and experiences. The company is comprised of industry leaders including entertainment agency WME; and sports, fashion, events and media company IMG. Endeavor is also the majority owner of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company comprising UFC and WWE. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation, sports operations & advisory, event & experiences management, media production & distribution, experiential marketing and brand licensing.

About WeCOACH
Founded in 2011, WeCOACH is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. Prior to Title IX, over 90% of women’s collegiate sports teams were coached by women. Today, over 50 years later, the data indicates that number has decreased to a stagnant 43% in Division I, 41% across all three NCAA Divisions, with only 7.3% women head coaches of color (Division I). Only 5% women coach men’s teams. At the youth level, the data is hard to estimate, approximately less than 20% of teams are coached by women. WeCOACH launched MOVE the NUMBERS in 2022 to help change the landscape for women coaches and the stude t-athletes they lead. If she can see her, she can be her. For more information visit MOVE the NUMBERS.

WeCOACH Announces New Association-Wide Membership with the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association

October 12, 2023

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October 12, 2023 – WeCOACH is proud to announce a new association-wide membership with the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) for the 2023-24 academic year. The IWLCA is the second coaches association to join WeCOACH (NCATA was the first), and the partnership includes an IWLCA-sponsored tuition scholarship to allow one of its members to attend the WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy in June 2024.

“The IWLCA is thrilled to partner with WeCOACH to provide another avenue of outstanding resources to the women coaches across NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA women’s lacrosse,” said IWLCA Executive Director Liz Robertshaw. “Coaches in today’s world need all the support we can give them to thrive both professionally and personally, and we believe the programming and opportunities that WeCOACH offers will help them do just that. This partnership reaffirms our commitment to investing in the future of women’s lacrosse through the strength of our coaching members.”

The membership is active immediately, providing 1,000+ women coaches in collegiate lacrosse who are members of the IWLCA access to over year-round professional development programs and resources offered by WeCOACH. Among these offerings is the newly released WeCONNECT Women Coaches program, coach-led and coach-inspired peer-to-peer learning.

“WeCOACH looks forward to complementing the impactful work of the IWLCA through this partnership. All women coaches who are members of the IWLCA will have access to our year- round programs as a result of Liz Robertshaw’s leadership. Together, we will MOVE the NUMBERS to support & increase women in coaching,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

ABOUT THE IWLCA
The IWLCA is a membership-led, professional association representing the nation’s intercollegiate women’s lacrosse coaches within Division I, II & III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The IWLCA is a 501c(3) nonprofit educational organization. Currently, there are over 550 institutional members and over 1,200 coaches participating in NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, and the NAIA.

WeCOACH Launches WeCONNECT Women Coaches: A Coach-Led & Coach-Inspired Program for Peer-to Peer Learning

October 6, 2023

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October 6, 2023 – On National Coaches Day, WeCOACH is proud to launch a new 2023-24 program, WeCONNECT Women Coaches. This coach-led and coach-inspired virtual networking initiative was born out of the collective voice of our members, who expressed a desire for increased peer-to-peer learning opportunities and empowering conversations with fellow coaches.

WeCONNECT will enhance connectivity amongst our 10,000+ member coaching community by providing a platform for coaches to come together virtually to exchange insights, share experiences, and build lasting relationships. For this inaugural year, WeCONNECT Women Coaches will feature five (5) Huddle Groups developed in response to member feedback:

Timely Issues for College Coaches
Timely Issues for Youth, Club, Middle & High School Coaches
Women of Color Amplified
Moms in Coaching
Inclusive Cultures

“Our members spoke, and we listened. WeCONNECT is our response to their desire for meaningful interactions and collaborative learning,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO at WeCOACH. “This program underscores our commitment to empower women coaches and create a cohesive community where they can lear , grow, and find support from each other to help elevate and inspire their coaching careers.”

WeCONNECT “Co-Captains” will be appointed to organize and lead huddle group meetings throughout the academic year. These dedicated peer leaders will guide discussions and create an inclusive safe space for coaches to share openly and tap into the learning experiences and advice from other huddle members.

WeCONNECT registration is now open for current WeCOACH members across all sports and coaching levels. To learn more about WeCONNECT Women Coaches or to register, visit wecoachsports.org/weconnect. To learn more about all WeCOACH programs and member benefits, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/why-join, or email info@wecoachsports.org.

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ABOUT WeCOACH

WeCOACH Announces Membership Renewals with Madera Unified School District & Oswego School District 308

September 20, 2023

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September 20, 2023 – WeCOACH is pleased to announce the Madera Unified School District (California) and Oswego School District 308 (Illinois) have renewed their district-wide group memberships for the 2023-24 academic year. These two school districts became the first district- wide members of WeCOACH in 2022-23 and helped ignite a membership growth that more than tripled all-time highest levels for middle and high school women coaches.

The memberships are active immediately, allowing the middle and high schools within each respective district to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH, including several new programs and initiatives that will be unveiled this fall.

Marty Bitter, Madera Unified School District Director of Athletics, shared, “In 2022 we all celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Title IX. The celebrations were so impactful, but I vividly remember returning after each one thinking, “Where do I go from here?”. As the Director of Athletics for Madera Unified School District I needed to do a better job of supporting all our female coaches.” In my search I found nothing that was even close to the work that Vanessa and the WeCOACH organization were doing. The impact it makes on our female coaches being able to attend professional development opportunities, small group discussions and support groups with other female coaches simply cannot be measured. I encourage every high school to find a way to support their female coaches and I would start and look no further than WeCOACH!”

“Oswego SD 308 Athletics is very excited to have this opportunity to add this great opportunity for our female athletic coaches! WeCOACH offers them outstanding opportunities for both professional development and growth that we feel will only help to improve what we are able to offer overall in our District for both our female staff and the student-athletes they coach,” said Darren Howard, Oswego SD 308 Director of Athletics.

A one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization with the mission to recruit, advance and retain women coaches in all sports and levels, WeCOACH offers year-round professional growth and leadership programs to help navigate the challenges and obstacles women coaches face to stay in, feel supported, and advance in the coaching profession. Members have access to premier programs such as the Youth & High School Women Coaches Academy, Regional Workshops, Mentor Program, monthly Video Chats, WeAMPLIFY (women of color initiative), new About Time video podcast, and more. Madera Unified SD was well represented with several members participating in the recent September 18 WeCOACH Regional Workshop in San Ramon, California.

“Our MOVE the NUMBERS campaign launched last year to create affordable access for every level of sport. Shortly after the launch, Oswego SD 308 Athletic Director, Darren Howard, and Madera Unified SD Athletic Director, Marty Bitter, reached out to invest in professional growth opportunities for their member coaches. We are grateful for their leadership, allyship and support. Since that time, we have grown exponentially at every level of sport but especially in the youth, middle and high school member levels.” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

ABOUT THE MADERA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Madera Unified School District was established in 1966. The District is committed to creating and sustaining a culture enabling Madera Unified students to experience an unparalleled educational journey that is intellectually, socially and personally transformative.

ABOUT OSWEGO SCHOOL DISTRICT 308
Oswego School District 308 serves more than 18,000 pre-school through grade 12 students in Oswego, Aurora, Joliet, Montgomery, Plainfield and Yorkville. The seventh largest public school district out of 852 in Illinois, District 308 has experienced phenomenal growth over the past decade, and a continued pursuit of world-class instruction ensures students are always ready for the future.

WeCOACH Announces New Conference-Wide Membership with the MAAC

September 8, 2023

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September 8, 2023 – WeCOACH and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) are pleased to announce a new conference-wide membership for the 2023-24 academic year. The membership is active immediately, allowing each of the league’s 11 institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH, including several new programs and initiatives that will be unveiled this fall.

“The MAAC is excited to partner with WeCOACH to unlock new opportunities for our female coaches,” said MAAC Commissioner Travis Tellitocci. “This strategic alliance centers on enhancing professional development, delivering coaching education, and fostering networking avenues. Our goal is to empower our female coaches with the additional resources to cultivate their advancement within the profession.”

A one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization with the mission to recruit, advance and retain women coaches in all sports and levels, WeCOACH offers year-round professional growth and leadership programs to help navigate the challenges and obstacles women coaches face to stay in, feel supported, and advance in the coaching profession. MAAC women coaches will have access to premier programs such as the WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy & Academy 2.0, Regional Workshops, Mentor Program, monthly Video Chats, WeAMPLIFY (women of color initiative), new About Time video podcast, and more.

“We applaud Commissioner Tellitocci and the MAAC’s leadership for their commitment to invest

in professional growth opportunities to elevate their member coaches. As our tenth Division I conference this year, WeCOACH commits to continually grow and expand our program offerings to best impact and meet the needs of our vast membership. Together, we will MOVE the NUMBERS to support and increase women in coaching,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

ABOUT THE MAAC
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 43rd year of competition during the 2023-24 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Mount St.

Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.

WeCOACH Announces New League-Wide Membership with The Summit League

August 31, 2023

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August 31, 2023 – WeCOACH and The Summit League are pleased to announce a new league- wide membership for the 2023-24 academic year. The membership is active immediately, allowing each of the league’s nine institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH, including several new programs and initiatives that will be unveiled this fall.

“We are excited for the Summit League’s women coaches to benefit from this partnership with WeCOACH,” said Commissioner Josh Fenton. “The programming, resources and overall community created by Vanessa (Fuchs) and her team have already been a tremendous asset to many across the country and I’m thrilled our group will have access to those same opportunities.”

A one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization with the mission to recruit, advance and retain women coaches in all sports and levels, WeCOACH offers year-round professional growth and leadership programs to help navigate the challenges and obstacles women coaches face to stay in, feel supported, and advance in the coaching profession. Summit League women coaches will have access to premier programs such as the WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy & Academy 2.0, Regional Workshops, Mentor Program, monthly Video Chats, WeAMPLIFY (women of color initiative), and more.

“The data demonstrates greater investment in women coaches is necessary to support their advancement and retention in the coaching profession. Many thanks to Commissioner Fenton and The Summit League leadership for their commitment to invest in professional growth opportunities to elevate their member coaches. Together, we will MOVE the NUMBERS to

support and increase women in coaching,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

ABOUT THE SUMMIT LEAGUE
Headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., The Summit League is embarking on its 42nd year at the NCAA Division I level and offers 19 championship sports. The League’s nine institutions have a combined enrollment of nearly 100,000 and include five located in top 60 U.S. metropolitan populations and two land-grant universities. Full-time member institutions are the University of Denver, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, University of Nebraska Omaha, Oral Roberts University, University of St. Thomas, University of South Dakota, and South Dakota State University.

Big 12 Upgrades Conference Membership with WeCOACH

August 30, 2023

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August 30, 2023 – WeCOACH is pleased to announce the Big 12 Conference has upgraded their membership to a league-wide, unlimited group membership for the 2023-24 academic year. The renewal also includes new institutional members, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, and Houston. The Big 12 was the first Power 5 autonomy conference to join WeCOACH as a conference-wide member in 2019.

“The Big 12 Conference is excited to announce the extension of our partnership with WeCOACH,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “We are dedicated to supporting and creating opportunities for our women coaches, and our partnership with WeCOACH will ensure resources for them to continue to grow.”

The upgraded membership is active immediately, allowing each of the conference’s 14 institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH, including several new programs and initiatives that will be unveiled this fall.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to increase our impact across more Big 12 member coaches. The recent data included in the Tucker Center report demonstrates we have entered an era of incline for women in coaching. We applaud Commissioner Yormark and the Big 12 leadership for their continual investment and modeling what support looks like for women in sport,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

About Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is comprised of 14 institutions after welcoming BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston on July 1, 2023, joining Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia. The league is an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics conference that encompasses eight states, three time zones and a combined population of over 79.3 million. Entering its 28th year, the Conference has produced over 800 Academic All-America selections and claimed national championship team titles in 20 of its 23 sponsored sports. Its student-athletes and teams have combined for 742 individual NCAA titles and 81 team national championships under the Big 12 banner. For more information, visit Big12Sports.com and follow the Conference on Facebook (Facebook.com/Big12), Twitter (@Big12Conference), Instagram (Instagram.com/big12conference/) and YouTube (YouTube.com/Big12Conference).

BIG EAST Renews with Upgraded Conference Membership

August 28, 2023

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August 28, 2023 – WeCOACH is pleased to announce The BIG EAST Conference has upgraded their membership to a league-wide, unlimited group membership for the 2023-24 academic year. The membership is active immediately, allowing each of the conference’s 11 institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH, including several new programs and initiatives that will be unveiled this fall.

“The BIG EAST is pleased to expand its partnership with WeCOACH and continue to provide our female coaches with the necessary tools to enable professional growth,” said Katie Willett, Sr.

Associate Commissioner/SWA, Compliance, Governance and Student-Athlete Development. “We are grateful that our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group continues to support this program on behalf of our female coaches at all of our institutions. We are pleased that our coaches can take advantage of WeCOACH’s extensive offerings.”

The recent data published in the August 1 Tucker Center report demonstrates a new era of slow and steady incline for women in coaching. For the first time, all seven conferences featured in the report increased in the percentage of women head coaches, marked by the BIG EAST improving an entire letter grade (+2.3 percent).

“Kudos to Commissioner Val Ackerman and the BIG EAST leadership who are committed to investing in professional growth opportunities to elevate their member coaches. We are excited to expand our partnership with the BIG EAST to impact more women coaches in their conference.

Together, we will MOVE the NUMBERS to support and increase women in coaching,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

About The BIG EAST Conference
The BIG EAST Conference is an association of 11 nationally prominent colleges and universities that foster healthy athletic competition, community service and the pursuit of excellence in academic environments. The BIG EAST-sponsored athletic programs of our institutions provide national-caliber participation opportunities for more than 3,800 student-athletes on over 200 men’s and women’s teams in 22 sports. Established in 1979 and headquartered in New York City, the BIG EAST’s members are located in eight of the country’s top 38 largest media markets and include Butler University, University of Connecticut, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University. For more information, visit www.bigeast.com.

WeCOACH Aims to Increase Impact in Year Two as Divisions II and III Development Program Grows

August 25, 2023

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August 25, 2023 – Entering its second year, WeCOACH is thrilled to announce the 2023-24 Divisions II & III Development Program has grown to feature 43 total Division II & III conferences, including four new conferences: the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) representing Division II, along with the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC), Little East Conference (LEC), and Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) representing Division III.

The initial year of the Program served 199 institutions across 16 NCAA Division II conferences, and another 268 institutions representing 26 NCAA Division III conferences. In total, the Program impacted over 4,200 total participants in its first year, including 68 of 98 graduates in the 2023 WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy, and 10 of 20 graduates in Academy 2.0. In addition to the conferences, any Division II or III women coaches with a current WeCOACH membership are eligible to participate.

“The Divisions II & III Development Program has been one of the most rewarding highlights of my tenure with WeCOACH,” said WeCOACH CEO Vanessa Fuchs. “The commissioners and athletics leadership across these 43 conferences continue to raise the bar, recognizing the importance of investing in the development of their women coaches in order to recruit, advance, and retain more women in this critical profession. Together, we will MOVE the NUMBERS to support & increase women in coaching.”

This year-round professional growth and leadership development program offers a number of different opportunities for participants across all sports to engage, highlighted by three 90-minute Development Sessions (fall, winter, & spring) focused on offering strategies and best practices to successfully navigate timely issues impacting the coaching profession.

2023-24 Divisions II & III Development Program Conferences:

NCAA Division II Conferences (18 total):

NCAA Division III Conferences (25 total):

Quotes from New Participating Conferences about the Development Program:

“CUNYAC is excited to partner with WeCOACH in providing additional support and resources to our female coaches and staff to assist in their professional development, coaching education, and networking. Through its collaboration with WeCOACH, CUNYAC continues to foster a diverse, inclusive coaching community and make valuable services available to enhance the recruitment, growth, and retention of coaches across all sports.”

Carl Christian, Interim Executive Director, CUNY Athletic Conference (CUNYAC)

“I am excited that the Little East Conference is able to partner with WeCOACH to provide valuable resources to benefit the women coaching in our conference. This relationship aligns with our efforts in our strategic plan to enhance our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, aiding in the development and advancement of women in coaching by providing year-round access to WeCOACH’s acclaimed educational programing.”

Pamela Samuelson, Ph.D., Commissioner, Little East Conference (LEC)

“With our efforts to be more inclusive, one area of focus is on developing our current female coaches for not only the long term but also to improve the depth of our pool of future head coaches. Partnering with WeCOACH allows to add another tool in our toolbox to help in these efforts while helping our coaches achieve their goals.”

Steve Murray, Commissioner, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)

“The WIAC is pleased to partner with WeCOACH. This is a perfect opportunity to support our membership and female coaches in the area of professional development, coaching education and networking.”

Danielle Harris, Commissioner, Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC)

To learn more about the Divisions II & III Development Program and/or to inquire about participation, visit: WeCOACH Development Program or contact: memberships@wecoachsports.org. To register for upcoming programs and events, visit: wecoachsports.org/programs-events/upcoming-events.

WeCOACH Announces Association-Wide Membership Renewal with the California Community College Athletic Association

August 18, 2023

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August 18, 2023 – WeCOACH is proud to announce the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) has renewed its membership for the 2023-24 academic year. The 3C2A was the first Community College governing body in the country to activate an association-wide membership in 2022.

In May 2023, four women coaches from 3C2A colleges graduated from our premier NCAA Women Coaches Academy. The 3C2A has also partnered with WeCOACH as a cohost for a one-day Regional Workshop in the San Francisco Bay Area on September 18.

“The 3C2A is excited to continue to team with WeCOACH in providing membership opportunities for our association,” said Executive Director Jennifer Cardone. “The 3C2A is home to hundreds of women coaches, many of whom are just beginning their careers. WeCOACH offers unparalleled resources for them to learn and grow while also providing immense benefits to our veteran coaches.”

The membership is active immediately, providing women coaches at each of the association’s 112 community colleges with year-round professional development programs and resources offered by WeCOACH, including several new programs and initiatives that will be unveiled this fall.

“The first year of this partnership resulted in a record number of 3C2A coaches graduating from our Academy so we are thrilled for the opportunity to continue impacting 3C2A women coaches through our transformational leadership programs. Exactly one month from today we will welcome several 3C2A coaches along with many more from the northern California region for a day of inspir tion and growth at our Regional Workshop,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

ABOUT THE 3C2A
The California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) is the governing body providing oversight of intercollegiate athletics within the California Community College System. The single largest educational system in the country, with attendance in excess of 2.1 million students annually, the California Community College system serves one-fourth of all community college students in the United States. The 3C2A establishes the rules and regulations to administer the intercollegiate athletic activities of approximately 24,000 student-athletes attending 112 California’s community colleges. To view the latest news, information, and updates of all 24 CCCAA-sanctioned sports and 26 championships, please visit www.3C2Asports.org.

WeCOACH Announces New Conference-Wide Membership with the Northeast Conference

August 16, 2023

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August 16, 2023 – WeCOACH and the Northeast Conference (NEC) are pleased to announce a new conference-wide unlimited group membership. While NEC schools have been institutional members over the years, this is the first time the NEC is joining WeCOACH as a conference-wide member.

“The NEC is committed to the empowerment and support of women coaches, and we are excited to join forces with WeCOACH. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our values of fostering diversity and inclusion within the athletic community, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on the recruitment, advancement and retention of women coaches in the NEC,” said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris.

The conference-wide membership will be active immediately, allowing each of the conference’s nine institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH, including several new programs and initiatives that will be unveiled this fall.

“The recently released Women in Coaching Report Card from the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport indicates we are entering a new era of steady incline, and with partnerships like this with the NEC we are convinced boys, girls, men, and women, in sport will benefit from having more strong women coach leaders to serve as their role models and mentors,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH. “Thank you to Commissioner Noreen Morris and the entire NEC leadership for helping to MOVE the NUMBERS to support and increase women in coaching.”

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

About the Northeast Conference
Now in its 43rd season, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of nine institutions of higher learning located throughout five states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to a number of the largest markets in the United States including New York (#1), Boston (#9). Hartford/New Haven (#34) and Syracuse (#85). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 24 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 15 different NCAA Championships. NEC member institutions include Central Connecticut, FDU, Le Moyne, LIU, Merrimack, Sacred Heart, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league’s official website official website (www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, all @NECsports.

Atlantic 10 Conference Renews with Upgraded WeCOACH Membership

August 14, 2023

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August 14, 2023 – WeCOACH is pleased to announce the Atlantic 10 Conference has renewed with an upgraded membership that includes a conference-wide, unlimited group membership for the 2023- 24 academic year.

“We are excited to partner with WeCOACH and support our membership and female coaches in the area of professional development, coaching education and networking,” stated A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “WeCOACH, as an organization, has developed a strong educational platform supporting the development of young professionals in all areas of sport.”

“We are thrilled to welcome back the Atlantic 10 to our WeCOACH Community and we look forward to making even more impact across their conference through this upgraded membership,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH. “This membership has the potential to impact 280+ representatives on A-10 campuses based on preliminary research conducted by our staff. We applaud Commissioner McGlade and the entire A-10 leadership for investing in their women coaches. Together we will MOVE the NUMBERS to support and increase women in coaching.”

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

ABOUT THE ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE
The Atlantic 10 Conference was founded in 1975 and consists of 15 diverse members across nine states and Washington, D.C. The mission of the Atlantic 10 is to provide an enhanced student-athlete experience through 22 nationally competitive championship sports. The basketball-centric conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for its student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. The membership consists of Davidson College, the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, Loyola University Chicago, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University and Virginia Commonwealth University. For more information, visit www.atlantic10.com.

WeCOACH Announces Conference-Wide Membership with the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference

August 11, 2023

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August 11, 2023 – WeCOACH and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) are pleased to announce a conference-wide, unlimited group membership for the 2023-24 year. This is a first-time membership for the KCAC and they are only the second NAIA Conference-Wide Member to join WeCOACH.

“Consistent with the mission and values of the KCAC, we are elated to extend additional support to the many women coaching in this conference through our partnership with WeCOACH,” stated Dr. Scott Crawford, KCAC Commissioner. “As a large NAIA conference with 14 full member institutions, this positive partnership will directly impact the lives of our women’s coaches who want to use the available resources for a transformational positive impact on their student- athletes.”

The conference-wide membership will be active immediately, allowing each of the conference’s 14 institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH.

“This partnership with the KCAC furthers our mission to impact and elevate women coaches in all sports and levels. Expanding our reach to serve NAIA women coaches is a top priority for our Board and staff in 2023-24, so we are grateful for Commissioner Scott Crawford’s leadership to invest in the KCAC women coaches so they have the opportunity to engage in our

transformational leadership programs,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

About the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference

Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 30 varsity sports, and growing. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.

About WeCOACH

information visit MOVE the NUMBERS.

Horizon League Upgrades Membership with WeCOACH

August 9, 2023

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August 9, 2023 – WeCOACH is pleased to announce the Horizon League has upgraded their membership to a league-wide, unlimited group membership for the 2023-24 academic year. The Horizon League was the first-ever NCAA Division I conference-wide member to join WeCOACH in 2019.

“We are thrilled to expand our WeCOACH partnership and provide unlimited WeCOACH memberships to all our coaches throughout the League,” said Horizon League Senior Associate Commissioner Christine Neuman. “Since we became the first collegiate conference to activate a League-wide membership in 2019, the partnership has provided a tremendous benefit to our coaches and administrators and we look forward to continuing to work together with the organization to support, increase and advance women in coaching.”

The conference-wide membership will be active immediately, allowing each of the league’s 11 institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH.

Abbey Sutherland, Green Bay Women’s Volleyball Head Coach/SWA, is a two-time WeCOACH- NCAA Academy graduate (2019 WCA Class #48, 2023 Academy 2.0 Class #6) who had this to say about the impact: “The Horizon League was ahead of the curve in providing us WeCOACH memberships, and they’re continuing to get it right. It’s inspiring that they have a woman commissioner—we see her and we can be her! Thank you to the Horizon League for directly contributing to my growth as a coach and a person. The Academy 2.0 experience filled my cup in so many ways. I left feeling loved, confident, and I am fired up to support other women coaches in any way that I can.”

“Members from the Horizon League are some of our most highly engaged so we look forward to making even more impact across their league through this upgraded membership,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH. “They were our first conference-wide member, and their league’s leadership continues to model the way for what support looks like for women in sport.”

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit https://wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

ABOUT THE HORIZON LEAGUE
The Horizon League is an NCAA Division I athletics conference comprised of 11 member institutions located throughout the Midwest’s major metropolitan cities. Headquartered in Indianapolis, the League and its members strive to be highly competitive athletically while committing to the total development of its student-athletes and creating a lasting impact on campus and in the community. For more information, visit HorizonLeague.org.

WeCOACH Announces League-Wide Membership with the Patriot League

August 7, 2023

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August 7, 2023 – WeCOACH and the Patriot League are pleased to announce a league-wide, unlimited group membership. This is the first time that the Patriot League is joining as a leaguewide member.

“Patriot League coaches are respected as educators and dedicated to the quality of the studentathlete experience. A continual commitment to learning and growth is integral to our mission,” Patriot League Commissioner Jennifer Heppel said. “I am excited about the opportunity to partner with WeCOACH in providing professional growth and leadership development for our women’s coaches in all sports.”

The League-wide membership will be active immediately, allowing each of their 10 member institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH.

“As a League that values a well-rounded education, it is evident through this partnership that this includes a strong commitment by the Patriot League’s leadership to the continued education and professional development of their women coaches,” said WeCOACH CEO Vanessa Fuchs. “We are thrilled to welcome all Patriot League institutions to our WeCOACH Community and look forward to their members engaging in our many year-round programs. Together, we will MOVE the NUMBERS to support and increase women in coaching.”

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE

The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.

ABOUT WeCOACH

WeCOACH Announces Conference-Wide Membership with the Atlantic Coast Conference

August 4, 2023

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August 4, 2023 – WeCOACH and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) are pleased to announce a new conference-wide unlimited group membership. While several ACC institutions have been institutional members over the years, this is the first time the ACC is joining WeCOACH as a conference-wide member.

“The ACC is thrilled to partner with WeCOACH to provide important resources that benefit the amazing women coaches in our conference,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “This relationship helps further our commitment to serve as a leader in providing opportunities to support our women leaders and invest in their future. Vanessa is an amazing leader with incredibly strong ties to our league and we commend her for the incredible job she is doing in leading the WeCOACH organization.”

The conference-wide membership will be active immediately, allowing each of the league’s 15 institutions to enroll an unlimited number of women coaches to benefit from the year-round programs and resources offered by WeCOACH. The ACC is also taking a leadership role to help WeCOACH develop a new Assistant & Associate Women Coaches Workshop to be launched during the 2023-24 academic year. More details will be released later this fall.

“As a proud former ACC student-athlete who holds degrees from two ACC institutions and worked at the league office my first job out of college, this partnership announcement is a very special one. What’s really exciting is this membership has the potential to impact 400+ representatives on ACC campuses based on preliminary research conducted by our staff. We are grateful to Commissioner Jim Phillips and the entire ACC leadership for investing in their women coaches. Together we will MOVE the NUMBERS to support & increase women in coaching,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

To learn more about WeCOACH membership options, including group memberships, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/membership-options/, or email memberships@wecoachsports.org.

About the Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 71st year of competition and 15 members strong, has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. ACC members Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest continue to build upon the cornerstones on which the league was founded in 1953 with a consistent balance of academics, athletics and integrity. The ACC currently sponsors 28 NCAA sports – 15 for women and 13 for men – with member institutions located in 10 states. In August 2019, ESPN and the ACC partnered to launch ACC Network (ACCN), a 24/7 national network dedicated to ACC sports and league-wide original programming. For more information, visit theACC.com and follow @accsports on Instagram and @theACC on Twitter and on Facebook (facebook.com/theACC).

Tucker Center Releases 11th Annual Report Card on Women in College Coaching

August 1, 2023

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August 1, 2023 – The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota released its annual Women in College Coaching Report Card (WCCRC) in collaboration with WeCOACH. The report documents the percentage of women in all coaching positions for women’s teams within seven select NCAA Division I conferences (Big Ten, Big East, Big 12, Pac-12, American, ACC, SEC).

Data in the 11th year of the WCCRC points to some ‘firsts’ and some good news!

Based on the numbers, we are cautiously optimistic that the stagnation era is over and we are entering a new era for intercollegiate Division I women sport coaches at the most visible, powerful institutions—Slow and Steady Incline!

• The percentage of women head coaches of NCAA D-I women’s teams in seven select conferences is up again for the ninth year in a row.
• The percentage of women head coaches increased by the largest margin (2.3%) in the history of the Report Card, and 2022 marked the second greatest increase (1.2%).
• For the first time more institutions earned an A grade than a F grade! In fact, there were 3x more As than Fs! For the last ten years, the number of F grades far outnumbered the As.
This year recorded the greatest number (n = 10) of institutional A grades, 2021-22 recorded seven As.
• University of Cincinnati has earned an A grade every year of the report.
• For the second time in ten years and for two years in a row, a majority of positional vacancies (58.1%) were filled by women.
• For the first time, a majority (65%, 15 of 23) of BIPOC coaches hired were women of color.
• The percentage of women coaches of color increased from 5.7% in 2022 to 6.2% this year.
• This year marks the first time all select seven conferences increased in the percentage of women head coaches.
• Basketball the most lucrative, visible and popular women’s intercollegiate sport moved up to an A grade for the first time.

To see the full report and which institutions, sports and conferences get passing and failing grades go to TuckerCenter.org

About the The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport
The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota is the first interdisciplinary research center leading a global effort to accelerate change for girls and women in sport

WeCOACH to Host 2023 Youth & High School Women Coaches Academy

July 24, 2023

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July 24, 2023 – WeCOACH will host its third annual Youth & High School Women Coaches Academy on July 31 and August 1. Established in 2021 as the “High School Women Coaches Leadership Academy,” WeCOACH rebranded this transformational program in 2023 to be inclusive of women who coach at the youth, club, middle and high school levels.

This virtual program is modeled after the premier NCAA Women Coaches Academy and aims to provide leadership development programming that elevates holistic coaching effectiveness by learning advanced leadership skills and strategies that directly affect personal and team success. The two-day schedule showcases an impressive lineup of experts who will expound on topics such as Leadership Best Practices; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Effectively Coaching Gen Z; the Collegiate Recruiting Landscape; Performance Nutrition; as well as Peer-To-Peer learning opportunities.

Class #3 features coaches from 15 different sports who reside in 20 different states and possess a combined 411 years of experience. Some are just beginning their coaching journey, while others have dedicated 45+ years in the coaching profession. WeCOACH provided scholarship funding for select participants thanks to generous funding from Hudl and individual donors.

2023 Youth & High School Women Coaches Academy Class #3 Participants:

McKenna Acampora, Delaware Valley High School, Girls Wrestling Coach
Megan Amundson, Stanwood High School, Head Girls Volleyball Coach
Dannicam Barnum, Seckinger High School, Head Girls Wrestling Coach
Amanda Bianchi, Framingham JF Flyers, Head Ice Hockey Coach
Meg Glascott-Birch, The Baldwin School, Director of Athletics
Tara Boysen, Northglenn High School
Shanitra Brinson, Rye Country Day School, Head Softball Coach
Ellie Chenoweth, Newberry High School, Head Varsity Soccer Coach
Brielle Chmiel, Louis E. Dieruff High School, Volunteer Assistant Cheer Coach
Tamara Clayton, Crew Haven Youth Rowing, Assistant Youth Rowing Coach
Nixi Cura, Burr and Burton Academy, Head Ultimate Coach
Chrystal Davis, Gulliver Prep, Youth Sports Coordinator
Megan Driscoll, Stevenson School, Head Girls Cross Country Coach
Colleen Kelly Finegan, Germantown Friends School, Mental Performance Coach
Amy Franz, Westosha Central High School, Girls Wrestling Coach
Jennifer Grulke, Oregon High School, Head Varsity Volleyball Coach
Maddie Haas, Duluth East High School, East Select Soccer, Assistant Soccer Coach
Alexandra Hammon, Glendale Youth Rugby, Program Director
Kelli Harris, Grayson County, Head Volleyball Coach
Lauren Heath, Sehome High School, Head Swimming & Diving Coach
Katie Klein, Stevenson School, Assistant Cross Country Coach
Hannah Korslund, Burlingame High School, Head Varsity Volleyball Coach
Liz Koster, The Baldwin School, Head JV Soccer Coach
Laura LeDuc, Trojan Aquatics, Founder & CEO Swimming & Diving Coach
Heather Levine, Gulliver Prep, Athletic Director
Katie Bergstrom Mark, Germantown Friends School, Director of Athletics
Abby McClure, The Cambridge School of Weston, Head Lacrosse Coach
Rosanna McCormick, Stevenson School, Head Girls Field Hockey Coach
Liz Miller, Burr and Burton Academy, Head JV Field Hockey Coach
Lynneis Myers, West Point High School, Head Volleyball Coach
Tamika Newman, Northland Christian, Director of Athletics, Head Volleyball Coach
Nicole Possage, Clarksville High School, Head Softball Coach
Jenifer Reeve, Oakland Tech High School, Assistant Ice Hockey Coach
Mackenzie E. Riley, Swan City SC/ Bartow High School, Assistant Soccer Coach
Jackie Roque, Gulliver Prep, Assistant Athletic Director
Christine Sales, Olathe Northwest High School, Head Cross Country Coach
Solvig Sayvre, The Sailing Foundation, Youth Sailing Director
Alison Schickfus, The Baldwin School, Assistant to the Athletic Director
Savannah Sepulveda, Hollister High School, Assistant Girls Wrestling Coach
Andrea Sutterfield, Pasadena Rugby, Co-Head Rugby Coach
Andre Torres, Gulliver Prep, Director of Athletics
Mary Truesdale, Sheldon High School, Head Varsity Softball Coach
Katie Waletzko, Pine Crest School, Assistant Athletic Director
Raven Ward, Cardinal Ritter College Prep, Head Basketball Coach
Tanekka Watt, Kipp Impact Academy, Head Basketball Coach
Andrea Yamamoto, WSU Wrestling Club, Assistant Girls Wrestling Coach
Tiarra Yazzie, Valley High School – Sanders Unified SD #18, Head Softball Coach
Madelyn Zink, East Lansing High School, Head Boys & Girls Swimming Coach

“Our Academy programs offer powerful knowledge and develop lasting relationships. Graduates leave feeling empowered, inspired, and motivated to be the best possible leaders for the young people they coach. We are excited for Class #3 to commence,” said Vanessa Fuchs, WeCOACH CEO.

For more information about our Youth & High School Women Coaches Academy, please click here. If interested in funding scholarships for our 2024 Academy, please email admin@wecoachsports.org.

WeCOACH Introduces Two New Staff Members Dedicated to MOVE the NUMBERS

July 7, 2023

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July 7, 2023 – WeCOACH CEO, Vanessa Fuchs, is pleased to introduce the organization’s two newest hires, Kyndall Ellis-Powell (Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development) and Marci Kornegay (Director of Leadership Programs & Events), who both officially started this week. These two talented additions to the staff are joining an already outstanding team of leaders who have elevated WeCOACH to unprecedented levels of success.

“We continue to build a team who have a big heart for our mission and mirror the diverse and inspirational community of leaders, mentors, and role models who we serve. Over the past 15 months, just about every aspect of our organization has grown exponentially. By welcoming Marci back to WeCOACH and with the addition of Kyndall’s expertise in a newly created position for our organization, I am confident we will continue our upward trajectory and MOVE the NUMBERS to support and increase women in coaching,” said Vanessa Fuchs, WeCOACH CEO.

Get to know our newest members of Team WeCOACH:

Kyndall Ellis-Powell, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development

Kyndall is a 2020 graduate from Syracuse University, where she received her Master of Science in Public Relations with an emphasis on Sports Media and Information. Prior to this, Kyndall attended Clemson University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a Social Science minor. Throughout her studies, Kyndall interned in recruiting and student-athlete development areas, uncovering her passion to utilize storytelling as the bridge between athletes, sports, and their communities. Prior to WeCOACH, Kyndall served as the Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Women Leaders in College Sports. Kyndall is a native of Columbus, Georgia, and she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, giving back to her community, and trying new food places!

Marci Kornegay, Director of Leadership Programs & Events

Marci Kornegay rejoins Team WeCOACH following her previous role as the Director of Membership from June 2018 to October 2021. Marci possesses 20 years of experience in collegiate golf as a Coach, LPGA Teaching Professional, and player. Kornegay was a two-time Big East Coach of the Year as the head coach at the University of South Florida. Marci thrives on pushing her limits and has hiked nearly 10,000 miles, most recently completing the Pacific Crest Trail. Marci holds a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Outdoor Management from Ole Miss, where she was a member and team captain of the women’s golf team, and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Change Management from Colorado State-Global. She is a proud graduate of the 2011 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Class #25. Currently residing in New Jersey with her partner and two beloved cats, Marci is fueled by her passion to explore all 63 National Parks, play golf in all 50 states, and to personally engage with and strengthen the WeCOACH community along the way.

To learn more about Team WeCOACH, visit https://wecoachsports.org/about/staff/.

WeCOACH to Host 2023 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Programs

May 15, 2023

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May 15, 2023 – WeCOACH will host its premier programs, the 52nd class of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy (WCA) and the 6th class of the NCAA Academy 2.0 in Denver, Colorado from May 21-24, 2023. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Women Coaches Academy, made possible through a longstanding partnership with the NCAA.

Highlighting these two Academies is keynote speaker, Dawn Staley, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at the University of South Carolina. Coach Staley is a two-time national champion coach and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She’s one of the most decorated participants in United States women’s basketball history having won three Olympic gold medals with Team USA as a player and later was head coach of another U.S. gold-medal winning team.

As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, a record-setting 102 women coaches, of all experience levels and sports, will be participating in WCA Class #52. NCAA Academy 2.0, a master learning program, will feature 20 coach participants. The classes include representation from NCAA Divisions I, II and III as well as NAIA, community colleges, the U.S. national team, and internationally.

“The NCAA is excited to partner with WeCOACH on the 2023 NCAA Women Coaches Academy programs, where some of the most talented collegiate women’s coaches will have the opportunity to elevate their leadership skills and hear the experiences of championship coaches,” said DeeDee Merritt, Director of NCAA Leadership Development. “The Women Coaches Academy and the Academy 2.0 programs provide today’s coaches with enhanced strategies and operations they can use during their season that may also translate to better student-athlete experiences. We look forward to engaging with the coaches as they work toward their professional and personal development.”

Over 2,100 graduates have participated in the NCAA WCA, a program designed for women coaches to elevate their holistic coaching effectiveness by learning advanced leadership skills and strategies that directly affect their personal and team success. Participants focus on non-sport-specific concepts in an environment that fosters inclusion across the sports community. The NCAA Academy 2.0, exclusively created for WCA graduates, is a master-learning opportunity in a small class setting that progresses on the leadership, strategies, and knowledge gained from their WCA experience.

WeCOACH septupled (multiplied by seven times) Academy scholarships funding provided to this year’s participants thanks to generous funding from Hudl, Endeavor, Natasha Watley Foundation, along with numerous individual donors. In addition, the United States Marine Corps have partnered to sponsor this year’s Academy graduation ceremonies and will feature a Marine representative offering closing remarks to both classes.

“The Academy experience is truly magical in terms of the powerful knowledge gained and lasting relationships formed. Our graduates leave feeling empowered, inspired and motivated to be the best possible leaders for the student-athletes they coach, and the data demonstrates our Academy graduates remain in the coaching profession at a higher rate than the national average. Our staff and Board have once again assembled a stellar lineup of faculty to pour into the participants and we look forward to unveiling some new traditions as part of our WCA 20th anniversary celebration,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.

WeCOACH thanks the NCAA for its longstanding support of these transformational programs along with this year’s partners: Marines, Hudl, Endeavor, Truist, Gatorade Performance Partner, Athlete Assessments, The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, Human Kinetics, Natasha Watley Foundation, and The Sports Bra Project.

May 22-24 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Class #52 Participants:

Desi Abeyta, Sonoma State, Head Coach, Basketball

Courtney Allen, Shenandoah University, Head Coach, Softball

Morgan Allison – Prokhin, St. Francis College, Assistant Coach, Water Polo

Vernisha Andrews, Florida Southern College, Assistant Coach, Basketball

Raquel Atawo, Washington State University, Head Coach, Tennis

Vanese Barnes, Tufts University, Graduate Assistant Coach, Basketball

Angelica Baylon, California State University Stanislaus, Assistant Coach, Basketball

Madeline Beal, DePaul University, Assistant Coach, Volleyball

Sam Benzing, College of St. Scholastica, Assistant Coach, Skiing

Kari-lei Berry, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Head Coach, Lacrosse

Ashley Bishop, Bridgewater State University, Head Coach, Field Hockey

Priscilla Brooks, California State University San Bernardino, Assistant Coach, Basketball

Coretta Brown, Eastern Kentucky University, Assistant Coach, Basketball

Liz-Amanda Brown, South Carolina State University, Head Coach, Soccer

Tyler Brown, Illinois Wesleyan University, Assistant Coach, Volleyball

Leanne Cardoso-Bastos, Allegheny College, Assistant Coach, Soccer

Britney Carrington, USA Wrestling, Head Coach, Wrestling

Katrina Carter, University of California at Berkeley, Assistant Coach, Field Hockey

Dani Castro, Indiana University, Assistant Coach, Field Hockey

Kara Christian, Presbyterian College, Head Coach, Acrobatics & Tumbling

April Cornell-DeAngelis, Colgate University, Head Coach, Field Hockey

Jazmine Craig, St. Francis College, Assistant Coach, Volleyball

Sarah Dessner, Georgian Court University, Assistant Coach, Basketball

Michele Dombrowski, The University of the South, Head Coach, Lacrosse & Field Hockey

Emiria Dunn, Sonoma State, Head Coach, Soccer

Sara Emerich, Manchester University, Head Coach, Softball

Kate Faix Bennett, Las Positas College, Head Water Polo Coach, Assistant Swimming & Diving Coach

Treasure Fields, Baylor University, Director of Operations, Acrobatics & Tumbling

Lauren Flowers, California State University Stanislaus, Head Coach, Volleyball

Megan Frazer, Stanford University, Assistant Coach, Field Hockey

Sareea Freeman, Events DC, Volleyball

Bronwen Gainsford, Wittenberg University, Head Coach, Field Hockey

Sade Gant, North Central College, Graduate Assistant Coach, Track & Field

Laura Gebhart, Penn State University, Associate Head Coach, Field Hockey

Grace Goodbarn, Centre College, Head Coach, Field Hockey

Christine Griffith, Cleveland State University, Head Coach, Fencing

Jane Grimley-Gunn, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Head Coach, Soccer

Caitlin Hadzimichalis, King’s College, Head Coach, Basketball

Myia Hambrick, University of Utah, Volunteer Assistant Coach, Gymnastics

Michaela Hamilton, Olivet College, Head Coach, Softball

Nicole Hannan, Volleyball Australia, Assistant Coach, Volleyball

Kaylee Harnen, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Assistant Coach, Ice Hockey

Jaleesa Harper, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Head Coach, Volleyball

Perrmella Harris, Morgan State University, Associate Head Coach, Acrobatics & Tumbling

Annabel Harvey, Henderson State University, Head Coach, Tennis & Cross Country

Jeri Jacobson Owsley, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Head Coach, Basketball

Megan Jensen, Washington College, Assistant Coach, Soccer

Sara Johnson, University of Minnesota, Director of Operations, Soccer

Kamille Jones, University of Illinois Springfield, Head Coach, Volleyball

Sydney Kanne, Willamette University, Assistant Coach, Swimming

Samantha Kastner, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Head Coach, Softball

Grainne Kelly, Illinois Wesleyan University, Head Coach, Lacrosse

Jordan Koehler, Saint Mary’s College, Head Coach, Golf

Diana Kussainova, Georgetown University, Assistant Coach, Tennis

Erin Labasan, Lewis & Clark College, Head Coach, Volleyball

Callie Lekas, Wellesley College, Head Coach, Field Hockey

Elizabeth Levy, Case Western Reserve University, Assistant Coach, Swimming & Diving

Mikayla Lopez, Bethany College, Head Coach, Basketball

Sam Mancinelli, Tufts University, Assistant Coach, Basketball

Josie Matlick, Davis & Elkins College, Assistant Coach, Soccer

Kate McCauley, Saint Vincent College, Head Coach, Volleyball

Jill McCormick, Santa Rosa Junior College, Head Coach, Swimming & Diving

Camille McPherson, Capital University, Head Coach, Basketball

Genee McRath, Tennessee State University, Head Coach, Softball

Donye’ Monroe, Manchester University, Head Coach, Soccer

Erin Moore, Bentley University, Assistant Coach, Field Hockey

Kelsey Morrison, Geneva College, Head Coach, Soccer

Ellen Newton, D’Youville University, Assistant Coach, Lacrosse

Mary Nolte, Williams College, Assistant Coach, Track & Field/Cross-Country

Rachel Oberholtzer, Fort Valley State University, Assistant Coach, Softball

Arlicia Ortiz, Fayetteville State University, Assistant Coach, Volleyball

Christiana Oyawale, Barry university, Assistant Coach, Volleyball

Pamela Perkins, Tuskegee University, Head Coach, Volleyball

Breena Proctor, Mount Holyoke College, Head Coach, Soccer

Brittney Randolph, Head Coach, Field Hockey

Ashley Reinecke, Transylvania University, Co-Head Coach, Soccer

Krista Rice, Oakland University, Head Coach, Volleyball

Lisa Ritchie, Mount Holyoke College, Assistant Coach, Track & Field

Erin Rotchford, SUNY Morrisville, Head Coach, Basketball

Alicia Schuck, Rollins College, Head Coach, Soccer

Noelani Schulmeyer, Amherst College, Assistant Coach, Field Hockey

Melissa Schwab, Elmhurst University, Head Coach, Golf & Basketball

Jessica Scott, University of Minnesota, Assistant Coach, Ice Hockey

Mikie Sevick, West Virginia University, Assistant Coach, Rowing

Roseanna Smith, Oberlin College, Running Backs Coach, Football

Tra’Dayja Smith, Saint Louis University, Assistant Coach, Basketball

Jennifer Spalding, Citrus College, Head Coach, Water Polo

Morgan Stacey, St. Norbert College, Assistant Coach, Ice Hockey

Jennifer Stadler, Chadron State College, Head Coach, Volleyball

Katie Stansbury, Oberlin College, Assistant Coach, Volleyball

Magda Stepnik, Bates College, Assistant Coach, Tennis

Cailyn Straubel, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Head Coach, Volleyball

Sydney Supica, Brown University, Assistant Coach, Field Hockey

Alyssa Taramona, Texas Woman’s University, Assistant Coach, Soccer

Kelcie Tolan, Cal State University San Bernardino, Assistant Coach, Volleyball

Lauren Torvi Prochazka, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Head Coach, Volleyball

Katie Trace, The Ohio State University, Assistant Coach, Swimming & Diving

Morgan Tucker, California State University Monterey Bay, Assistant Coach, Water Polo

Kristen Van Iderstine, Brown University, Director of Football Administration, Football

Tiana Webster, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Assistant Coach, Track & Field/Cross-Country

Kim Wudi, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Head Coach, Volleyball

Kaye Zoolakis, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Assistant Coach, Swimming & Diving

May 21-23 NCAA Academy 2.0 Class #6 Participants:

Dawn Barnes, Upward Stars Columbia VBC, Head Coach, Volleyball

Noelle Brouillard, Whitworth University, Head Coach, Lacrosse

Christine Clancy, Washington and Lee University, Head Coach, Basketball

Pietie Coetzee-Turner, Wake Forest University, Associate Head Coach, Field Hockey

Angela Dendas-Pleasant, Lewis & Clark College, Head Strength Coach, Strength & Conditioning

Lilia Dosalmas, University of California Santa Cruz, Head Coach, Soccer

Ashley Johnson, Colorado College, Assistant Coach, Lacrosse

Szandra Kiss, Arizona State University, Assistant Coach, Water Polo

Olivia Leavitt, Lehigh University, Head Coach, Tennis

Laura LeDuc, Trojan Aquatics, Head Coach, Aquatics & Water Polo

Justine Lombardi, St. Francis Brooklyn, Head Coach, Soccer

Amy Long, Saint Mary’s College, Head Coach, Lacrosse

Kat Mertz, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Head Coach, Soccer

Camise Patterson, Florida A&M University, Head Coach, Softball

Jen Scanlon, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, Head Coach, Soccer

Emily Schmit, California State University, Monterey Bay, Head Coach, Water Polo

Abbey Sutherland, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Head Coach, Volleyball

Donika Sutton, Tennessee State University, Head Coach, Volleyball

Benay Weintraub, Caltech, Head Coach, Tennis

Kari Williams, Rutgers University, Head Coach, Golf

For more information about our NCAA Women Coaches Academy, please click here. If interested in funding an Academy Scholarship, click here.

WeCOACH Celebrates 20 Years of NCAA Women Coaches Academy

May 8, 2023

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May 8, 2023 – When coaches arrive in Denver later this month for the 52nd NCAA Women Coaches Academy (WCA), it will mark the 20th year WeCOACH has hosted this transformational program. To commemorate the 20th Anniversary celebration, WeCOACH has more than doubled the 2023 class size (103 participants) and this year’s Academy will feature new traditions and special touches, including welcoming back several WCA graduates along with our organization’s founders to serve as faculty and ambassadors for this year’s class.

“We are very excited to commemorate 20 years and 51 WCA classes that includes over 2,100 graduates. This will give us an opportunity to celebrate the progress women have made in coaching, and an opportunity to strategize on the work that still needs to be done to empower women to pursue, stay in, and succeed in the coaching profession,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH. “We are incredibly proud that data demonstrates our Academies help retain women coaches at a rate higher than the national average.”

In 2003, Celia Slater, Judy Sweet, and Ann Salerno worked with the NCAA to pilot a program for women coaches across all sports and all NCAA divisions. These programs became what is known as the NCAA Women Coaches Academy. The first-ever Women Coaches Academy (WCA) was held June 8, 2003 at Bryn Mawr College (PA) and there were 26 coaches who graduated.

“I feel very grateful to have been a part of something so special that has helped many women coaches along the way. It’s humbling to see that 20 years later it is still developing, inspiring and connecting women coaches of all sports. We all need a supportive community now more than ever where we feel like we belong. Being a part of this one can change your life just like it did mine,” said Celia Slater, Academy co-creator and CEO of True North Sports.

Year after year, session after session, there was continued feedback that women coaches needed an organization whose vision was cultivated with them in mind: a supportive network, educational opportunities, and developmental resources specific to their needs – because women coaches face unique challenges that their male counterparts do not. In response to this feedback, Celia Slater and Judy Sweet co-founded a non-profit organization, the Alliance of Women Coaches in 2011, which became the umbrella organization for the NCAA Women Coaches Academy.

“The women coaches academies have brought together women coaches from a variety of sports, not just to add to their tool kit, but also show them they are not alone in the challenges they face. The support systems that have developed have helped coaches to stay in the profession and be successful,” said Judy

Sweet, Academy co-creator and former NCAA Senior Vice President & NCAA Membership President (1991-92).

Academy co-creator and CEO of The Change Cycle Series, Ann Salerno shared, “It was an honor to be a part of the development team for the NCAA Women Coaches Academy! We built a curriculum that was focused on teaching coaches’ pragmatic management skills and strategies beyond their sport-specific fundamentals – and it worked! Coaches learned new ways to advocate for their student athletes and themselves as sport professionals. Here’s to women coaches at all levels, having the opportunity via WeCOACH to further their coaching career goals and aspirations!”

Since the inaugural Academy in 2003, there have been 51 NCAA WCA classes. In those 20 years of Academy classes, over 2,100 coaches have completed the program and graduated. The Academies have been so impactful and inspiring that many of the graduates have returned over the years to serve as faculty.

In addition, research shows that the Academies have been instrumental in keeping coaches in the profession. According to Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, over 82 percent of Academy graduates are still coaching, and this retention rate is higher than the national average. There are countless testimonials from past WCA grads that highlight the impact of the multi-day experience. You can access just a few of the powerful remarks here.

NCAA Director of Leadership Development, DeeDee Merritt expressed, “The NCAA Women Coaches Academy has provided education, enrichment and development to scores of coaches over its 20-year span. Learners form bonds that carry them forward in their careers and lives. The NCAA is a proud sponsor of this impactful opportunity. Congratulations on a job well done!”

Based on the profound amount of time spent with other coaches and the substantial content that the WCA had shown to provide, graduates called for a next-level Academy. Thus, NCAA Academy 2.0 was launched in 2018. Designed as a smaller class setting, 2.0 is a next-level, master training that builds upon and advances the leadership skills, strategies, and knowledge gained from attending WCA. Due to the success of WCA and 2.0, there are future goals of offering more opportunities, such as additional Academy classes each year in different locations and adding an Aspiring Women Coaches Academy and an Academy 3.0.

WeCOACH will announce the participants for 2023 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Class #52 and NCAA Academy 2.0 Class #6 on Monday, May 15. For more information about our Academies, please click here.

WeCOACH Extends Partnership with The United States Marine Corps

April 25, 2023

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April 25, 2023 – WeCOACH is honored to announce the fourth year of its national partnership with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) that will create multiple opportunities for WeCOACH members to build relationships with and engage in leadership programming offered by the Marines. This collaborative partnership includes Marine presence and support across several WeCOACH programs and events, including the 2023 WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy & Academy 2.0, where the Marines will serve as graduation sponsors.

The Marines have a mission that aligns with the work WeCOACH members do every day. The United States Marine Corps Influencer Program offers coaches, teams, and athletics administrators local community-engagement opportunities such as Marine-led leadership presentations, team workouts, team talks, and community service projects. WeCOACH members are also eligible to apply to participate in the annual Marine Corps Educators & Coaches Workshops, offering coaches the opportunity to learn more about aspirational service to the nation while networking with other coaches looking to improve their teams and student outcomes.

“Our partnership with the Marine Corps is particularly special because we are similar-missioned organizations that shape, train and develop leaders for greater good and impact. Our growing community shares a fighting spirit much like that of the Marines. The Marines have a proven track record of cultivating some of the greatest leaders in our country’s history, and we are incredibly proud to continue to join forces with them to cultivate those leadership skills within our coaches,” said WeCOACH CEO Vanessa Fuchs.

“The United States Marine Corps looks forward to working with the coaches and community of WeCOACH,” said Lt. Col. Rob Dolan. “Our partnership with WeCOACH creates and forges advocacy among a diverse group of female coaches who cultivate a fighting spirit among their athletes.”

Coaches and Marines both share a passion for transforming young people into high-caliber citizens of our great Nation. Through this partnership, WeCOACH is able to spread public awareness of the Marine Corps’ purpose and core values. To learn more, click here. To become a Marine Influencer today, visit: marines.com/influencer.

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WeCOACH Announces New Partnership with University of Nevada, Reno Sports Management Program

March 6, 2023

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March 6, 2023 – WeCOACH is excited to announce a new national partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno Sports Management Program (UNR-SPTM). Through this mutually beneficial collaboration, leaders from the UNR-SPTM program will engage in WeCOACH events as featured presenters and their academic program will offer resources as an enhanced member benefit for the WeCOACH Community. Current students participating in the University of Nevada, Reno Executive Certificate in Sports Management program will have the opportunity to participate in WeCOACH programs and events year-round.

The nine (9)-month Executive Certificate in Sports Management program is offered online through the UNR College of Business. The program is uniquely designed for sports industry professionals to gain business management and leadership skills and learn best practices needed to launch a successful career in the sports industry. Classes are taught by prominent industry leaders, and the program also includes a unique two-and-a-half day Tahoe Sports Summit led by industry experts. Program participants gain relevant and in-depth knowledge surrounding all sports at all levels, a community that WeCOACH is dedicated to serve. For students, coaches, or athletics administrators interested in advanced education, the 2023 UNR-SPTM admissions application deadline is June 1.

“We are excited to begin this new collaboration with the University of Nevada, Reno Sports Management Program. Our WeCOACH Community is committed to lifelong learning and this partnership empowers our coaches to advance their education through one of the nation’s leading academic programs. The UNR Executive Certificate is a powerful opportunity for advanced learning development and the best part is the program is online, so it can be completed from anywhere,” says Vanessa Fuchs, WeCOACH CEO.

“The University of Nevada Sports Management Program is proud to partner with WeCOACH and believe in their vision under the incredible leadership of CEO Fuchs,” said Cary Groth, Director of the University of Nevada Sports Management Program. “Our partnership will enable us to provide our students with the most relevant and current best practices that will enable them to be the best leaders they can be.” Jessie Carmak, a recent graduate of the SPTM program and a member of the WeCOACH family, shared her experience with the program, stating “As a young administrator and coach, the Nevada Sports Management Program has been life and career changing. It has allowed me to learn and interact with the best of the best in the sports world who want to help young leaders grow personally and professionally.”

One of the first partnership collaborations features Cary Groth serving as a co-presenter during the March 27 WeCOACH CATCH A VISION: Aspiring Women Coaches Workshop on the topic, “The Art of Getting Hired.” To learn more about UNR-SPMT and all WeCOACH partners, visit wecoachsports.org/get-involved/wecoach-partners. To learn more about WeCOACH programs and member benefits, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/why-join.

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About WeCOACH

Founded in 2011, WeCOACH is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. Prior to Title IX, over 90% of women’s collegiate sports teams were coached by women. Today, 50 years later, data indicates that number has decreased to a stagnant 41% in all three NCAA Divisions, with only 7.3% women coaches of color. Five percent of women coach men’s teams, and at the youth level, the data is hard to estimate, approximately less than 20% of teams are coached by women. As part of its year-long Title IX 50th Anniversary campaign, WeCOACH launched MOVE the NUMBERS to help change the landscape for women coaches and to impact history for the next 50 years. For more information, visit wecoachsports.org/50th.

WeCOACH Partners with Conferences Representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

February 21, 2023

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February 21, 2023 – WeCOACH is proud to announce a historic partnership with all five HBCU collegiate athletics conferences to support and increase the number of women coaches of color in the profession. All HBCU and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) not affiliated with an HBCU athletic conference are also included in this partnership. As our newest WeCOACH members, over 900+ women coaches from these esteemed institutions and conferences now have access to year-round professional growth and leadership development programs, including participation in WeAMPLIFY, an initiative created in 2020 to drive conversations and change surrounding social and institutional barriers. WeCOACH aims to amplify the voices, presence, and experiences of women coaches of color nationwide.

The partnering conferences representing 56 institutions include: the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC), Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC), and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Four of these conferences are affiliated with the NCAA, and we welcome the GCAC as our first-ever NAIA conference-wide member, further expanding our mission to serve women coaches in all national collegiate athletic organizations.

“The GCAC is excited to partner with WeCOACH to provide our coaches with opportunities for expert programming to propel their professional development. Thanks to CEO Vanessa Fuchs, her team, as well as board member Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree and Dr. Renae Myles-Payne for their passion and commitment to increasing the number of women coaches nationwide,” said Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, GCAC Commissioner.

This partnership also features a collaboration with the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota, as well as the NCAA Inclusion and Leadership Development Offices, to expand the research available on women coaches of color. Based on the 2021-22 Women in College Coaching Report Card released by the Tucker Center, women coaches of color are vastly underrepresented (7.3%) as Division I head coaches of women’s teams. The NCAA’s 2022 report, The State of Women in College Sports, estimated about 16% of female head coaches of women’s teams in all three NCAA divisions are minority women, and minority women hold around 24% of assistant coaching positions for women’s teams. Tucker Center Director, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi notes, “The Tucker Team is honored to collaborate with the WeCOACH community to design action-oriented research that will help remove barriers and increase supports for women coaches of color.”

“This powerful partnership has been made possible through grant funding from the Truist Charitable Fund to expand the impact of our WeAMPLIFY program and will feature monthly professional development initiatives, both in-person and virtual,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH. “Our organization exists to move the numbers of women in coaching and the current data on women of color tells us an investment of resources and dedicated action is necessary to close the gaps. By exponentially increasing women coaches of color in the profession, not only will we see the overall numbers start to move at a faster rate, but most importantly, female student-athletesacross the country will benefit from seeing women leaders in sport who look like them, which will help them catch a vision for their own lives and careers.”

The CIAA is the first HBCU conference-wide member to join WeCOACH. “This partnership with WeCOACH aligns with our strategic efforts to provide leadership opportunities for our coaches and administrators,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “Anytime we can position the CIAA to be in a space of advocacy and change and provide opportunities for growth and gain from an organization like WeCOACH, it is a win for our conference. The statistics reveal the direct need to identify more female coaches at all levels and the CIAA is always on board to help move the needle in shaping and preparing the women of our conference to take the helm when the opportunity avails.”

SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland shared, “the Southwestern Athletic Conference is extremely excited to partner with WeCOACH for programming and initiatives that we truly feel will positively impact the coaches and administrators within our league.” This unique program will undoubtedly serve as a catalyst towards advancing our conferences and our HBCUs while simultaneously providing the participants with professional development and opportunities that will help shape the foundation of their respective careers. This partnership is a win-win for our league and all parties involved and we look forward to celebrating the success that will follow its implementation.”

MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills spoke about how WeCOACH’s plan aligns with the MEAC’s mission and more. “Providing opportunities and pushing for more inclusive leadership spaces, both in athletics and in general, is at the foundation of what we do in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Particularly on the heels of Title IX’s 50th anniversary, it’s incumbent upon us to continue working to make those opportunities available for women. The MEAC is proud to support WeCOACH and look forward to doing our part in advocating for the women coaches in our conference – both current and forthcoming as our student-athletes graduate and transition into the professional world.”

“The SIAC is excited to support the mission and vision of WeCOACH in its effort to recruit, advance, and retain women coaches in all sports and levels through its year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. The SIAC strives to create an inclusive culture that encourages women to lead and provides opportunities for access to roles in leadership on and off the playing fields. This partnership ensures our core principles are aligned with our quest to create a diverse talent pool for our member institutions,” said Anthony Holloman, SIAC Commissioner.

In addition to WeAMPLIFY, the women coaches representing these conferences will benefit from year-round programs and resources, including the NCAA Women Coaches Academy, Academy 2.0, Regional Workshops, Mentor Program, monthly Video Chats, Breakthrough Summit, and more. To learn more about WeCOACH member benefits, visit wecoachsports.org/membership/why-join.

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About the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. In 2020, the conference celebrates the special 75th anniversary of its Championship Basketball Tournament – an event that has become a must-see in the African American community. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. To get the latest information about the CIAA, visit theciaa.com.

About the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC)

The GCAC is celebrating its 40th year as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The GCAC is one of only five conferences comprised of members representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. The GCAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Oakwood University (AL), Philander Smith College (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Tougaloo College (MS), and Wiley College (TX). The University of the Virgin Islands joins the conference July 1, 2023, becoming the ninth member of the GCAC. The GCAC sponsors championships in Men and Women’s Basketball, Men and Women’s Cross Country, Men, and Women’s Track and Field, Women’s Volleyball, and Baseball. For more information, visit gcaconf.com.

About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 52nd year of intercollegiate competition with the 2022-23 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University. For more information, visit meacsports.com.

About the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 14 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous six-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors seven men’s and six women’s sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit thesiac.com.

About the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams. Current championship competition offered by the league for men includes baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and tennis. Women’s competition is offered in the sports of basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. For more information, visit swac.org.

About WeCOACH

WeCOACH Expands Partnership with Return on Inclusion™

February 16, 2023

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February 16, 2023 – WeCOACH is proud to announce an expanded partnership with industry-leading diversity and inclusion experts, Return on Inclusion™ (ROI), that includes Inclusive Leader education for the WeCOACH staff and Board of Directors. ROI is a is a sport-specific diversity and inclusion education platform dedicated to developing inclusive leaders and fostering a culture of belonging across social and cultural differences.

The ROI Inclusive Leader Bundle includes six modules covering inclusion priorities determined by athletic administrators and coaches to be the areas of greatest developmental need. The learning modules focus on belonging, cultural competence, bias & microaggressions, anti-racism & privilege, LGBTQ+ inclusion & gender stereotypes, as well as the opportunity to create a personal leadership action plan. Upon completion of the self-paced modules, each participant earns a ROI Inclusive Leader Certificate.

“I am excited for our staff and Board of Directors to partner with Nevin Caple and the entire ROI team to provide this critical training for our WeCOACH leadership. ROI aligns with our organization’s values of community and inclusion, and in everything we do, we want to model the way for fostering and cultivating a caring, diverse, and inclusive community for all 7,000+ members. Nevin is a longtime NCAA Women Coaches Academy faculty member, and we are grateful for her powerful impact on our community.” said Vanessa Fuchs, WeCOACH CEO.

“Working with strategic partners who prioritize and invest in DEI learning for their Board and leadership team alongside that of membership is paramount and sets the tone for collaboration,” said ROI Founder & CEO, Nevin Caple. “This work becomes deeply personal and transformative when we take the time to reflect on our own experiences and develop the skills to lead inclusively. I am grateful for Vanessa and her team as WeCOACH continues to drive positive impact and exemplify who we can be as athletics professionals.”

Through the WeCOACH Member Benefits Partners Program, ROI offers WeCOACH members exclusive discounted pricing to help every coach and athletic administrator develop the skills and competencies necessary to support student-athletes and achieve inclusive excellence in programs. For more information on ROI, visit: roinclusion.com.

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About Return on Inclusion

Return On Inclusion™ (ROI) is a sport-specific diversity and inclusion learning platform dedicated to developing inclusive leaders in college and high school athletics. The self-paced modules standardize learning methods to ensure coaches, athletic administrators, and support staff develop the competencies necessary to support student-athletes across social and cultural differences. ROI partnered with the

National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) which endorsed ROI for athletic

About WeCOACH

WeCOACH Announces New Two-Year Partnership with Gatorade Performance Partner

January 31, 2023

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January 31, 2023 – WeCOACH is excited to announce a two-year partnership with Gatorade, the world’s global leader in sports fuel. Through this partnership, WeCOACH members will have opportunities to learn from the Gatorade team of hydration, nutrition, sports-science and research experts, as well as access to world-class performance resources. Specifically, Gatorade will provide presenters for WeCOACH leadership programs and offer dedicated online performance tools, articles, videos and more to benefit WeCOACH members.

“On behalf of our WeCOACH Community, we are thrilled to welcome Gatorade, and we look forward to the learning opportunities created through this partnership,” said Vanessa Fuchs, WeCOACH CEO. “WeCOACH is experiencing exponential growth, and this partnership will empower our expanding network of sports coaches, strength & conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, nutrition professionals and athletic administrators with performance resources to benefit themselves, as well as the student-athletes they lead.”

“Gatorade is proud to announce this exciting partnership with WeCOACH,” said Molly Matson, Marketing Director, Gatorade. “As we continue to grow the first multidisciplinary community of sports practitioners with Gatorade Performance Partner and support practitioners in their work, WeCOACH is a great addition that allows us to expand our audience. WeCOACH has done tremendous work to empower women in coaching, and we are eager to support their efforts with our expertise in sports science and our ever-growing network of sports practitioners.”

On April 6, National Student-Athlete Day, Gatorade will lead a WeCOACH Video Chat on The Female Athlete: Energy and Nutrition Strategies. To learn more about this Video Chat, visit wecoachsports.org/programs-events/video- chats-2. To learn more about Gatorade Performance Partner, visit performancepartner.gatorade.com/.

About Gatorade

The Gatorade Company, a division of PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), meets the needs of consumers who participate in sports and fitness, through brands that include Gatorade, Propel, Muscle Milk and Evolve. The solutions they provide are driven by a deep understanding of the unique occasions and needs across athletic activity. Gatorade, their marquee brand, is underpinned by a 56-year history of studying the best athletes in the world, and sports nutrition research by the Gatorade Sport Science Institute, allowing it to provide scientifically formulated products that meet athletes’ needs both on and off the field. For more information and a full list of products, please visit www.gatorade.com.

About Gatorade Performance Partner

Gatorade Performance Partner is the first multidisciplinary community of sports performance professionals. Membership is free and provides exclusive benefits like complementary CEUs, science-backed resources, and opportunities to discover all the latest that Gatorade has to offer. For more information, visit performancepartner.gatorade.com/.

About WeCOACH

Meet New WeCOACH Board Members; Huge Begins Term as Board President

January 30, 2023

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January 30, 2023 – The WeCOACH Board of Directors announced the addition of four new board members: Yolanda Bronston, Dr. Missy Price, Ann Walker, and Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, who begin their three-year terms this month.

Additionally, Samantha Huge, Executive Vice President of Collegiate Athletics for RealResponse, assumed the role of Board President, effective January 1. Tiffany D. Tucker, Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator at UNC-Wilmington, began her term as president-elect, and Teresa Gould, Pac-12 Conference Deputy Commissioner, transitions to past president. These leadership positions are one-year progressive terms.

“We are coming off an unprecedented year and the addition of these longtime professionals will help continue the upward trajectory. All four are current or former coaches representing several different sports and levels which will be key for advancing the WeCOACH mission to recruit, advance and retain women coaches in all sports and levels. Most importantly, they possess a big heart for positively impacting our growing community. I am very excited for our staff and membership to have the opportunity to work closely with these new board members,” said Vanessa Fuchs, WeCOACH CEO.

Get to know your new Board members:

Yolanda Bronston has over 25 years of coaching experience at various levels from toddlers to the NCAA Division I level. “Coach Yo” played basketball for Central Connecticut State University and following graduation she returned to her alma mater as Assistant Coach at Blacksburg High School (VA), where she was a state champion in track & field and state finalist in basketball. While coaching, Yolanda pursued her MBA degree at Old Dominion University, which led to a coaching position at Norfolk State University. In 2021, Yolanda was the recipient of the WeCOACH High School Breaking Through Award, recognizing a woman coach who has shown exemplary courage, resilience, and leadership in navigating the coaching profession at the high school level. Currently, Coach Yo serves as the Accounting Manager & Head Girls Varsity Basketball Coach at St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park, FL. In her five years at the helm, the Lady Spartans have reached the state playoffs each year and their first District Championship in 29 years. WeTEACH. WeINSPIRE. WeMOTIVATE. WeLEAD.

Dr. Missy Price is the Vice President of Women’s Soccer at the United Soccer League (USL). She brings more than 20 years of experience as a coach, instructor, consultant, author, and public speaker. She earned her PhD in Sport Psychology at the University of Virginia and played soccer collegiately at the University of Maryland. Dr. Price served as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Wellesley College from 2016-2021. Prior to Wellesley, Price had coaching stops at the University of Nevada, University of Miami, University of Illinois and the University of Virginia. She is a two-time WeCOACH Academy graduate (WCA #35; A2 #1) and the first attendee to earn both the Judy Sweet and Cecile Reynaud Coaching Mastery Awards. As someone who holds numerous coaching licenses, Missy has also served as faculty at WCA, is past-president of the United Soccer Coaches, an advocate and outspoken member of the LQBTQ+ community, and most importantly, a mom.

Ann Walker has spent over 30 years in the world of coaching, administration, and the nonprofit sector. Walker began her career as a basketball coach and most recently served as the Director of Events and Communications for WeCOACH (2016-19). Prior to WeCOACH, Walker served two years (2014-16) as the Director of Athletics at Clark College and six years (2006-2012) as the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Internal Ops/SWA at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). While at NSU, Walker served as the South Region Chair of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Committee and from 2008-2011, she served as the National Chair. In 2012, she was named the NCAA Division II Administrator of the Year by the Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, Ann is semi-retired and volunteers as a site rep for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament while also carrying out her personal commitment to help grow women in leadership positions in coaching, teaching, and administration.

Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree has an impressive and storied career as a higher education leader with more than 30 years in diverse roles. She made history in 2008 when she became the first female to serve as the Director of Athletics at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Her experiences as a college student-athlete, coach, and administrator led to her success as one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in NCCU history. Ingrid is a member of four Halls of Fame as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. Ingrid has also served in various leadership positions on local, regional and national boards, including the NCAA Division II Volleyball Committee and NCAA Division I Council. Ingrid is a John C. Maxwell Certified team member and holds certifications in DEIB, Workplace Conflict Resolution, and is a certified facilitator of the 360 Leadership Assessment by the Center for Creative Leadership. She earned her undergraduate degree in criminal justice from George Washington University, a master’s degree in recreation resources administration, and a doctorate in higher education administration from North Carolina State University.

The WeCOACH Board of Directors will host its first meeting of the year on Thursday, February 2 at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis. For a complete list of the WeCOACH Board of Directors, please click here.

### WeTEACH. WeINSPIRE. WeMOTIVATE. WeLEAD.

About WeCOACH

NEWS RELEASES 2023

December 8, 2023 – The Big Ten Conference Provides Conference-Wide Membership for Women Coaches with WeCOACH

November 13, 2023 – WeCOACH Launches WeELEVATE: Empowering Women Assistant Coaches to Achieve Coaching Excellence

November 6, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces Upgraded League-Wide Membership with the Ivy League

November 1, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces New Partnership with FSU COACH

October 30, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces Promotion for Team Member Lizzy Ristano

October 16, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces New Conference-Wide Membership with the Southern Conference

October 13, 2023 – WeCOACH Introduces Endeavor as New Champion of the Mentor Program

October 12, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces New Association-Wide Membership with the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association

October 6, 2023 – WeCOACH Launches WeCONNECT Women Coaches: A Coach-Led & Coach-Inspired Program for Peer-to Peer Learning

September 20, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces Membership Renewals with Madera Unified School District & Oswego School District 308

September 8, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces New Conference-Wide Membership with the MAAC

August 31, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces New League-Wide Membership with The Summit League

August 30, 2023 – Big 12 Upgrades Conference Membership with WeCOACH

August 28, 2023 – BIG EAST Renews with Upgraded Conference Membership

August 25, 2023 – WeCOACH Aims to Increase Impact in Year Two as Divisions II and III Development Program Grows

August 18, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces Association-Wide Membership Renewal with the California Community College Athletic Association

August 16, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces New Conference-Wide Membership with the Northeast Conference

August 14, 2023 – Atlantic 10 Conference Renews with Upgraded WeCOACH Membership

August 11, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces Conference-Wide Membership with the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference

August 9, 2023 – Horizon League Upgrades Membership with WeCOACH

August 7, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces League-Wide Membership with the Patriot League

August 4, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces Conference-Wide Membership with the Atlantic Coast Conference

August 1, 2023 – Tucker Center Releases 11th Annual Report Card on Women in College Coaching

July 24, 2023 – WeCOACH to Host 2023 Youth & High School Women Coaches Academy

July 7, 2023 – WeCOACH Introduces Two New Staff Members Dedicated to MOVE the NUMBERS

May 15, 2023 – WeCOACH to Host 2023 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Programs

May 8, 2023 – WeCOACH Celebrates 20 Years of NCAA Women Coaches Academy

April 25, 2023 – WeCOACH Extends Partnership with The United States Marine Corps

March 6, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces New Partnership with University of Nevada, Reno Sports Management Program

February 21, 2023 – WeCOACH Partners with Conferences Representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

February 16, 2023 – WeCOACH Expands Partnership with Return on Inclusion™

January 31, 2023 – WeCOACH Announces New Two-Year Partnership with Gatorade Performance Partner

January 30, 2023 – Meet New WeCOACH Board Members; Huge Begins Term as Board President

Archived News Releases

The Big Ten Conference Provides Conference-Wide Membership for Women Coaches with WeCOACH

WeCOACH Launches WeELEVATE: Empowering Women Assistant Coaches to Achieve Coaching Excellence

WeCOACH Announces Upgraded League-Wide Membership with the Ivy League

WeCOACH Announces New Partnership with FSU COACH

WeCOACH Announces Promotion for Team Member Lizzy Ristano

WeCOACH Announces New Conference-Wide Membership with the Southern Conference

WeCOACH Introduces Endeavor as New Champion of the Mentor Program

WeCOACH Announces New Association-Wide Membership with the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association

WeCOACH Launches WeCONNECT Women Coaches: A Coach-Led & Coach-Inspired Program for Peer-to Peer Learning

WeCOACH Announces Membership Renewals with Madera Unified School District & Oswego School District 308

WeCOACH Announces New Conference-Wide Membership with the MAAC

WeCOACH Announces New League-Wide Membership with The Summit League

Big 12 Upgrades Conference Membership with WeCOACH

BIG EAST Renews with Upgraded Conference Membership

WeCOACH Aims to Increase Impact in Year Two as Divisions II and III Development Program Grows

WeCOACH Announces Association-Wide Membership Renewal with the California Community College Athletic Association

WeCOACH Announces New Conference-Wide Membership with the Northeast Conference

Atlantic 10 Conference Renews with Upgraded WeCOACH Membership

WeCOACH Announces Conference-Wide Membership with the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference

Horizon League Upgrades Membership with WeCOACH

WeCOACH Announces League-Wide Membership with the Patriot League

WeCOACH Announces Conference-Wide Membership with the Atlantic Coast Conference

Tucker Center Releases 11th Annual Report Card on Women in College Coaching

WeCOACH to Host 2023 Youth & High School Women Coaches Academy

WeCOACH Introduces Two New Staff Members Dedicated to MOVE the NUMBERS

WeCOACH to Host 2023 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Programs

WeCOACH Celebrates 20 Years of NCAA Women Coaches Academy

WeCOACH Extends Partnership with The United States Marine Corps

WeCOACH Announces New Partnership with University of Nevada, Reno Sports Management Program

WeCOACH Partners with Conferences Representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

WeCOACH Expands Partnership with Return on Inclusion™

WeCOACH Announces New Two-Year Partnership with Gatorade Performance Partner

Meet New WeCOACH Board Members; Huge Begins Term as Board President

October 13, 2023 – WeCOACH Introduces Endeavor as New Champion of the Mentor Program

WeCOACH Introduces Endeavor as New Champion of the Mentor Program