Women's Basketball

ATLANTA, GA. - Seniors Shannon Carlisle, Asha Santee, Reyna Gross and Terease Thornton were selected as participants in the Nike "So You Want To Be A Coach" program. The event will be held from April 4-6 in Tampa, Fla., during the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) National Convention.

Monique Bassett and Tristan McCray of Bethune-Cookman University were also selected and will represent the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, along with Howard, at the three-day convention.

For qualification, the potential candidate must have exhausted her final year of basketball eligibility at a four-year institution or have graduated within the past year. In addition, the candidate's head coach has to nominate them and must be an active WBCA member. Each participant is selected based on their academics, contributions to women's basketball on and off the court, professional resume and a written recommendation from their head coach. 

"I am so pleased that Shannon, Asha, Reyna and Terease will have the opportunity to represent Howard University at the WBCA Convention and be a part of the "So You Want to Be a Coach" program," head coach Cathy Parson said. "They will hear from many great speakers and get a first-hand look at what it takes to get a foot in the door of the coaching profession."

The WBCA has been a cornerstone in developing an organization that meets the needs of women, while promoting the game of basketball and its development, as well as unifying coaches on every level.  The "So You Want To Be A Coach" program was designed to increase the amount of minorities in the coaching profession by providing a workshop based on educational and professional principles to help those interested in the field.

The coaching lessons shared with these participants will assist in identifying, recruiting and retaining minority women in the profession of coaching.  At this year's workshop, the participants will have the opportunity to meet and learn from some high level professionals such as Penn State Head Coach Coquese Washington, Old Dominion Assistant Coach Nikita Dawkins, Black Coaches & Administrators Executive Director Floyd Keith, and many others.