ATLANTA, Ga. --- The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), in partnership with the Alliance of Women Coaches, has announced the class for the 16th annual WBCA's "So You Want To Be A Coach" program including Moravian College graduate student forward Camille McPherson, who was also named to the 2018 WBCA NCAA Division III Coaches' All-America Honorable Mention squad.
"I am proud and excited to congratulate Camille on both accomplishments: Honorable Mention All American and her selection to the "So You Want To Be a Coach" program," stated Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "Both accomplishments are impressive and include hard work and effort on and off the court. Camille's stats certainly speak for themselves and we are proud to have her join a distinguished list of Moravian players as All Americans. The WBCA program in Columbus is a tremendous opportunity for Camille to network and gain a better understanding of coaching at all levels. She was chosen for a reason to attend this program and I am certain Camille will continue to influence the game with the next generation."
Each member will participate in the three-day workshop held March 28-30, in conjunction with the WBCA Convention in Columbus, Ohio. There are 62 participants in the program this year including nine NCAA Division III student-athletes.
McPherson is the second Greyhound in three years to participate in the program, following Karlee Corvasce '16, who was part of the program in 2016.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to learn more about coaching and working in college athletics, and honored to be chosen by a great organization like the WBCA," McPherson said. "I've had a lot of great coaches in my career who've helped me become the person and athlete I am today, If I become a coach, I hope I can do the same for others."
In addition to being a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American, McPherson was named to the Women's DIII News Honorable Mention All-America Team, the D3hoops.com All-Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team and the Landmark All-Conference First Team this winter after scoring 16.6 points per contest to finish her career eighth in school history with 1,427 points and first all-time with an 18.1-point per game scoring average. McPherson pulled down a team-leading 7.2 rebounds per game, and she completed her three seasons ranked 16th all-time with 559 career rebounds in just 79 games with the Blue and Grey. McPherson added 53 assists, 39 three-pointers, 14 steals and seven blocked shots this winter while shooting 83.9 percent at the foul line (94-of-112), 43.6 percent from the floor (133-of-305) and 35.5 percent beyond the arc (39-of-110) in 2017-18 while helping Moravian to a 17-9 record.
The objectives of the "So" program are to increase the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women's basketball, increase the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in coaching, introduce female basketball players to coaches and administrators, and raise awareness of the existing talent pool of female basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching the game of women's basketball.
" 'So You Want To Be A Coach' is the longest-running education program the WBCA offers, and it remains as popular with member coaches and student-athletes today as it was when it began 15 years ago," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. " 'So' is the entry point for women's basketball players who want to coach. Because of their participation in it, more than 400 former college women's basketball players are currently working as coaches or in some role in our sport. Our new partnership with the Alliance will enable us to make this already successful program even better."
"The WBCA has set the bar high for the 'So' program," said Megan Kahn, executive director of the Alliance of Women Coaches. "Joining in partnership, the Alliance is excited to help pave a way for these student-athletes to continue to be involved in the game of basketball. We look forward to welcoming, educating and inspiring these aspiring coaches."
"So" participants are provided with professional development and career networking opportunities. They will learn about the administrative side of coaching, recruiting, how to get hired, skill development, the importance of knowing the rules, and how to balance work and life.
Qualified candidates are selected from a list of nominees who have exhausted their final year of basketball eligibility at a four-year institution or have graduated within the past year. The candidate's head coach must nominate them and be an active WBCA member. Each participant is picked based on her academics, contributions to women's basketball on and off the court, professional resume and a written recommendation from their head coach.
The WBCA "So" program has graduated 814 participants in its 15-year history. Of these, 54 percent (not counting the 2017 class) are currently working in women's or girls' basketball at various levels of the profession. A total of 53 "So" alumni are head women's or girls' basketball coaches — five in NCAA Division I, three in NCAA Division II, 11 in NCAA Division III, one in the NAIA, four on the two-year college level, and 29 on the high school level.
Visit www.WBCA.org or more information on the "So" program.
About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit www.WBCA.org for more details about the Association.
About the Alliance of Women Coaches
The Alliance of Women Coaches was founded in 2011 and has become the premier organization that empowers the community of women coaches, across all sports and levels, with the education and resources they need to stay and advance in the profession. By providing a supportive network, inspiration and knowledge, and access to in-person and digital platforms, the Alliance is changing the landscape for women in coaching. For more information on the Alliance of Women Coaches, visit www.gocoaches.org.
Parts of release courtesy of the WBCA
