Temple University Athletics
Kristen McCarthy
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Kristen McCarthy Returns from WBCA's "So You Want to be a Coach" Program
4.10.12 | Women's Basketball
Program held in conjunction with the 2012 NCAA Women's Final Four in Denver
PHILADELPHIA - Temple women's basketball senior Kristen McCarthy was recently one of 50 student-athletes who participated in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) "So You Want to Be a Coach" program as part of the 2012 NCAA Women's Final Four. McCarthy flew out to Denver on March 30 for the program, and returned to campus April 2.
For qualification, the player must have exhausted her final year of basketball eligibility in Divisions I, II, III or NAIA or have graduated within the past year. Each participant was 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.
McCarthy and the other participants spent a day at the Convention Center that also served as the location of the WBCA Coaches Convention during the Final Four. During the first session, the student-athletes went to a basketball court to watch one of the convention's on-court demonstrations. The demos were run by various coaches and special guests and consisted of explaining their own drills, offensive or defensive concepts, and other ideas that they wanted to share about what they do with their student-athletes.
On another day, the participants helped run a clinic for kids ages 8-16 along with various college coaches from all levels.
The student-athletes also participated in mock interviews, and had two 15-minute interviews with coaches from various programs to practice the interviewing and job application principles they had discussed.
Coaches spoke to the group about a wide variety of topics including officiating, player development, dealing with angry parents, strategies of getitng hired, coaching at non-DI institutions, work-life balance, and the rules of recruiting. Lastly, the group took a class photo and each participant was presented with a certificate of completion to signify graduating from the program.
"It was such a great experience," said McCarthy. "We really learned how much goes into coaching and there's a lot of stuff people really don't see. It's a huge commitment and you have to love it. We had resources right there and could talk to these coaches anytime. I met a lot of people that I'll stay in contact with, I built relationships for the future, and I got to go to the Final Four games."
McCarthy had found out about the program from friend and former Charlotte women's basketball player Kendria Holmes, who told her what a positive experience it had been for her.
"There were alumni from last year's program there as well to talk about the experience and how it helped them," said McCarthy. Another highlight McCarthy mentioned from the program was a talk by Violet Palmer, the first female referee in the NBA.
The future for McCarthy includes graduation from Temple and playing more basketball in the WNBA and overseas. The WNBA Draft will take place April 16, but other options are available for players who don't hear their name called that day. Check back to OwlSports.com for updates on McCarthy and teammate Shey Peddy as the look to continue their basketball careers at the professional level.
For qualification, the player must have exhausted her final year of basketball eligibility in Divisions I, II, III or NAIA or have graduated within the past year. Each participant was 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.
McCarthy and the other participants spent a day at the Convention Center that also served as the location of the WBCA Coaches Convention during the Final Four. During the first session, the student-athletes went to a basketball court to watch one of the convention's on-court demonstrations. The demos were run by various coaches and special guests and consisted of explaining their own drills, offensive or defensive concepts, and other ideas that they wanted to share about what they do with their student-athletes.
On another day, the participants helped run a clinic for kids ages 8-16 along with various college coaches from all levels.
The student-athletes also participated in mock interviews, and had two 15-minute interviews with coaches from various programs to practice the interviewing and job application principles they had discussed.
Coaches spoke to the group about a wide variety of topics including officiating, player development, dealing with angry parents, strategies of getitng hired, coaching at non-DI institutions, work-life balance, and the rules of recruiting. Lastly, the group took a class photo and each participant was presented with a certificate of completion to signify graduating from the program.
"It was such a great experience," said McCarthy. "We really learned how much goes into coaching and there's a lot of stuff people really don't see. It's a huge commitment and you have to love it. We had resources right there and could talk to these coaches anytime. I met a lot of people that I'll stay in contact with, I built relationships for the future, and I got to go to the Final Four games."
McCarthy had found out about the program from friend and former Charlotte women's basketball player Kendria Holmes, who told her what a positive experience it had been for her.
"There were alumni from last year's program there as well to talk about the experience and how it helped them," said McCarthy. Another highlight McCarthy mentioned from the program was a talk by Violet Palmer, the first female referee in the NBA.
The future for McCarthy includes graduation from Temple and playing more basketball in the WNBA and overseas. The WNBA Draft will take place April 16, but other options are available for players who don't hear their name called that day. Check back to OwlSports.com for updates on McCarthy and teammate Shey Peddy as the look to continue their basketball careers at the professional level.
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