University of Delaware Athletics
A Trio of Blue Hens Selected to Participate in WBCA “So You Want To Be A Coach” Program
1/20/2022 11:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA – The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) in partnership with WeCOACH announced Thursday morning the class for the 19th "So You Want To Be A Coach" program. In a class of 61 student-athletes, graduate student forward Lizzie Oleary, fifth-year guard Tee Johnson and senior Paris McBride have been selected to participate and represent Delaware. Each student-athlete will participate in the two-day workshop on March 31 and April 1 during the WBCA Convention in Minneapolis.
The "So" program increases the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women's basketball, increases the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in coaching, introduces female basketball players to coaches and administrators, and raises awareness of the existing talent pool of female basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching the game of women's basketball. "So" participants will learn about the administrative side of coaching, recruiting, how to get hired, skill development, the importance of knowing the rules, and how to balance work and life.
"I'm extremely proud of Lizzie, Paris and Tee for being selected to the WBCA's "So You Want To Be A Coach" program," head coach Natasha Adair exclaimed.
Oleary, a native of Willow Grove, Pa., has been part of the Blue Hen program since the 2017-18 campaign. She has appeared in 129 games in the Blue & Gold uniform and this season she is averaging 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. Oleary is currently working towards her master's degree in International Business.
"Being accepted to the WBCA's "So You Want To Be A Coach" program is such an honor, and it's even more exciting getting to go with some of my teammates," Oleary stated. "I can't wait to expand my knowledge about coaching and keep basketball a part of my life even after I'm done being a player."
Adair said, "Lizzie was a prime candidate for the program because of her passion, leadership, work ethic, basketball IQ and her ability to motivate others into being their very best. She understands the rigor of coaching and has been a part of the foundation in which a successful program has been built."
A product of Woodbridge, Va., McBride has shined in the Delaware uniform since the 2018-19 season. Appearing in 92 career games for the Blue Hens, the floor general is currently averaging 5.0 points, 2.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. McBride is working towards her degree in History.
McBride expressed, "when I found out that I was accepted to the program, I was extremely grateful. This opportunity is helping me prepare and eventually pursue my dream to be a college coach. I am excited to learn from the mentors there and my fellow student-athletes."
Adair added, "Paris is not only our floor general but she's our heartbeat. She is a phenomenal leader, competitor and already a coach on the floor. Paris has earned her teammates' trust with how she communicates. She brings consistency and balance with her IQ and knowledge of the game. I would follow her lead anywhere and Coach P has a nice ring to it!"
Hailing from Ocala, Fla., Johnson joined the Blue Hens in 2019 after spending a season at Florida. Playing in 72 career games in the Blue & Gold uniform, Johnson is averaging 2.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals this season. She working towards obtaining her degree in Sociology.
"Tee will coach with energy, enthusiasm and passion. She has competed on the highest level and on some of the biggest stages in Division I," Adair commented. "She will use her experience not only to teach but to mentor and motivate young players into achieving their goals."
Qualified candidates must have exhausted their final year of basketball eligibility at a four-year institution or have graduated within the past year and must be nominated by their WBCA-member head coach. Each participant is selected based on her academics, contributions to women's basketball on and off the court, professional resume´ and a written recommendation from their head coach.
About the WBCA
For 40 years the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
About WeCOACH
Founded in 2011, WeCOACH has become the premier membership organization committed to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches across all sports and levels. Previously known as the Alliance of Women Coaches, the organization reinvigorated its brand in August 2018. By providing a supportive and unified network, educational programs and resources, and access to in-person and digital resources, WeCOACH is changing the landscape for women coaches. Learn more at www.wecoachsports.org.
The "So" program increases the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women's basketball, increases the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in coaching, introduces female basketball players to coaches and administrators, and raises awareness of the existing talent pool of female basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching the game of women's basketball. "So" participants will learn about the administrative side of coaching, recruiting, how to get hired, skill development, the importance of knowing the rules, and how to balance work and life.
"I'm extremely proud of Lizzie, Paris and Tee for being selected to the WBCA's "So You Want To Be A Coach" program," head coach Natasha Adair exclaimed.
Oleary, a native of Willow Grove, Pa., has been part of the Blue Hen program since the 2017-18 campaign. She has appeared in 129 games in the Blue & Gold uniform and this season she is averaging 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. Oleary is currently working towards her master's degree in International Business.
"Being accepted to the WBCA's "So You Want To Be A Coach" program is such an honor, and it's even more exciting getting to go with some of my teammates," Oleary stated. "I can't wait to expand my knowledge about coaching and keep basketball a part of my life even after I'm done being a player."
Adair said, "Lizzie was a prime candidate for the program because of her passion, leadership, work ethic, basketball IQ and her ability to motivate others into being their very best. She understands the rigor of coaching and has been a part of the foundation in which a successful program has been built."
A product of Woodbridge, Va., McBride has shined in the Delaware uniform since the 2018-19 season. Appearing in 92 career games for the Blue Hens, the floor general is currently averaging 5.0 points, 2.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. McBride is working towards her degree in History.
McBride expressed, "when I found out that I was accepted to the program, I was extremely grateful. This opportunity is helping me prepare and eventually pursue my dream to be a college coach. I am excited to learn from the mentors there and my fellow student-athletes."
Adair added, "Paris is not only our floor general but she's our heartbeat. She is a phenomenal leader, competitor and already a coach on the floor. Paris has earned her teammates' trust with how she communicates. She brings consistency and balance with her IQ and knowledge of the game. I would follow her lead anywhere and Coach P has a nice ring to it!"
Hailing from Ocala, Fla., Johnson joined the Blue Hens in 2019 after spending a season at Florida. Playing in 72 career games in the Blue & Gold uniform, Johnson is averaging 2.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals this season. She working towards obtaining her degree in Sociology.
"Tee will coach with energy, enthusiasm and passion. She has competed on the highest level and on some of the biggest stages in Division I," Adair commented. "She will use her experience not only to teach but to mentor and motivate young players into achieving their goals."
Qualified candidates must have exhausted their final year of basketball eligibility at a four-year institution or have graduated within the past year and must be nominated by their WBCA-member head coach. Each participant is selected based on her academics, contributions to women's basketball on and off the court, professional resume´ and a written recommendation from their head coach.
About the WBCA
For 40 years the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
About WeCOACH
Founded in 2011, WeCOACH has become the premier membership organization committed to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches across all sports and levels. Previously known as the Alliance of Women Coaches, the organization reinvigorated its brand in August 2018. By providing a supportive and unified network, educational programs and resources, and access to in-person and digital resources, WeCOACH is changing the landscape for women coaches. Learn more at www.wecoachsports.org.
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