Emory University's Christy Thomaskutty was part of a select group of head coaches who attended The Center For Coaching Excellence held on the campus of Columbia University.
A total of 36 college women's basketball coaches from across the country completed the invitation-only, two-and-a-half day elite leadership program. Thomaskutty was the lone Division III coach to take part in the program.
Using the resources of Columbia University and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, The Center for Coaching Excellence utilized collaborative and interactive learning sessions, along with lectures and panel discussions featuring experts in college athletics, in addressing some of the most pressing issues in college women's basketball while also establishing valuable networking opportunities with their peers and top industry leaders.
A member of the WBCA Board of Directors, Thomaskutty completed her 12th year at the helm of the Eagles' program in 2013-14.
"It was a tremendous opportunity to network and learn from some of the best and brightest coaching minds in the game," Thomaskutty said. "The experience itself taught me new and unique ways to develop and challenge our student athletes, and it also imparted upon me the tools to be a better coach and leader in a time where the student athlete is constantly evolving."
Attending this year's session were Laura Beeman, University of Hawaii; Claudette Charney, Hillsdale College; Debra Clark, Norfolk State University; Kerry Cremeans, University of Denver; Jacques Curtis, Shaw University; Brooks Donald Williams, McNeese State University; Edgar Farmer Jr., Wofford College; Kendra Faustin, Niagara University; Megan Gebbia, American University; Billi Godsey, Iona College; Tanya Haave, Metropolitan State University of Denver; Bunky Harkleroad, Sacramento State University; Brandan Harrell, Georgia Highlands College; Chris Kielsmeier, Wayne State College; Brenda Mock Kirkpatick, University of North Carolina-Asheville; Micele Koclanes, Dartmouth College; Erica Lang-Montgomery, Flagler College; Jessica Mannetti, Sacred Heart University; Deont'a McChester, Claflin University; Michael McGuire, Radford University; Joye McNelis, University of Southern Mississippi; Katie Meier, University of Miami; Lisa Mispley Fortier, Gonzaga University; Elizabeth Naumovski, Queens College; Brian Neal, Xavier University; Cameron Newbauer, Belmont University; Harry Perretta, Villanova University; Jamie Pewinski, Saginaw Valley State University; Chanda Rigby, Troy University; Tarrell Robinson, North Carolina A&T State University; Scott Rueck, Oregon State University; Audra Smith, Clemson University; Phil Stern, University Maryland, Baltimore County; Christine Vozab, Georgia Southern University; and Ryan Weisenberg, Pepperdine University.
Dr. Cathie T. Siders, a clinical psychologist, organizational consultant and executive coach, facilitated group-learning sessions. Other sessions featured panel discussions from a wide variety of leaders from both the college athletics industry and other sectors of industry.
"Our nation's college women's basketball head coaches are committed to the young women who play for them," Siders said. "The coaches we work with are hungry for knowledge and insight - and greatly appreciate having extra tools in their leadership toolbox. For the fourth straight year, I am thrilled to have worked with these exceptional men and women."
Faculty of the 2014 Center for Coaching Excellence included Val Ackerman, commissioner, Big
East Conference; Dick Baddour, athletics director emeritus, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Rich Ensor, commissioner, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference; Bernadette V. McGlade, commissioner, Atlantic 10 Conference; Jody Conradt, head women's basketball coach emerita, University of Texas; Terri Williams-Flournoy, head women's basketball coach, Auburn University; Brian Giorgis, head women's basketball coach, Marist College; Stephanie Glance, head women's basketball coach, Columbia University; Dr. Brent Walker, associate athletics director for championship performance, Columbia University; Muffet McGraw, head women's basketball coach, University of Notre Dame; Marsha Sharp, associate athletics director for special projects and head women's basketball coach emerita, Texas Tech University; Joe Tartamella, head women's basketball coach, St. John's University; and General Rebecca Halstead, U.S. Army (retired).