I wrote this article for Coaching Women's Basketball for the November/December 2012 issue. However, the magazine only goes to the wbca membership. I thought you might like to read my thoughts on some future strategies for the good of the game. If I was Lobbyist for the day in women's basketball, these are the things I would impliment in my one day on the job!! I've already given my state of the union in a non election year so this time I went with Lobbyist!
What can I do to offer energy and/or empower the future of the game I love. I could write some thoughts, hope someone reads it, feels empowered and wants to join in discussion? Could it be that easy. . . maybe it was the foodchain discussion I had recently with my 10 year old that inspired me?
1. Take the Division I Sweet 16 to Vegas along with Division II and Division III Elite
Eight! Let’s make Vegas the new women’s basketball home. If the
Pac 12 moved their men’s tournament to Vegas, why not a permanent home for
women’s basketball in Vegas. Conference offices have autonomy from NCAA policies regarding betting
communities but the NCAA can’t endorse an event in a betting community?
2. Are we still showing the women student athletes the“don’t bet on it” video?
Why? Having a betting line on our games might promote interest? Every man I know looks at the “spread” in the sports section of the newspaper. Safe sex, responsible drinking and eating disorders appear to be relevant topics in women’s sports.
3. All Head Coaches have to take a sabbatical after (insert time period). Could this help prepare assistants for
head coaching jobs. Most Fortune 500 Companies make their top executives take a sabbatical, why not the CEOs of women’s basketball? 74 new head coaches in women’s basketball this year and were they ready?
4. Streamline decision-making process for the caretakers and stakeholders in the game to
empowered, not encumbered. If change is needed, do it. Other sports are starting to look in their rear view mirror at women’s basketball.
5. All Division I scholarship athletes are allowed to hold a job when not in season. You ARE allowed to
work. Haven’t heard any administrator say find a job. Instead, we would rather pay a stipend, pay for summer school and stay on campus and train. Are we developing life skills if we don’t teach what an I9, W2 or 1099 is?
Most people have to find a job if they don’t have any money.
6. Women's basketball sponsorship autonomy. The NCAA Corporate Partner Program is for men’s basketball. Most corporate partners don’t activate on the women’s side. Give the corporate partners a chance to activate, then try to package some inventory that might be appealing for others. I understand licensing, marketing, brand protection etc. . .can’t we try?
7. Freedom of movement and pace of play to create more scoring a must to advance the game. When the WNBA moved the shot clock to 24 seconds, scoring went up. We need offensive games to showcase skill.
We don’t need an experimental season, just try it to advance the game and not wait. A backcourt count is for offense, not defense.
8. Summer recruiting , AAU basketball and high school coaches have important places in
the lives of young players. At the end of July, players are tired and coaches are complaining.
Find a solution with calendar so high school experience and coach matters.
9. Eliminate NCAA advance site visits for first and second rounds and allow Top 16 seeds to host. NCAA can manage events along with on-site game management days in advance. There will not be a loss of neutrality. . . we will be playing on someone’s home court anyway! Tighten up the budget and spend more time on marketing and selling, not fulfillment.
10. NO scholarship reduction and no more conversation about it.
What can I do to offer energy and/or empower the future of the game I love. I could write some thoughts, hope someone reads it, feels empowered and wants to join in discussion? Could it be that easy. . . maybe it was the foodchain discussion I had recently with my 10 year old that inspired me?
1. Take the Division I Sweet 16 to Vegas along with Division II and Division III Elite
Eight! Let’s make Vegas the new women’s basketball home. If the
Pac 12 moved their men’s tournament to Vegas, why not a permanent home for
women’s basketball in Vegas. Conference offices have autonomy from NCAA policies regarding betting
communities but the NCAA can’t endorse an event in a betting community?
2. Are we still showing the women student athletes the“don’t bet on it” video?
Why? Having a betting line on our games might promote interest? Every man I know looks at the “spread” in the sports section of the newspaper. Safe sex, responsible drinking and eating disorders appear to be relevant topics in women’s sports.
3. All Head Coaches have to take a sabbatical after (insert time period). Could this help prepare assistants for
head coaching jobs. Most Fortune 500 Companies make their top executives take a sabbatical, why not the CEOs of women’s basketball? 74 new head coaches in women’s basketball this year and were they ready?
4. Streamline decision-making process for the caretakers and stakeholders in the game to
empowered, not encumbered. If change is needed, do it. Other sports are starting to look in their rear view mirror at women’s basketball.
5. All Division I scholarship athletes are allowed to hold a job when not in season. You ARE allowed to
work. Haven’t heard any administrator say find a job. Instead, we would rather pay a stipend, pay for summer school and stay on campus and train. Are we developing life skills if we don’t teach what an I9, W2 or 1099 is?
Most people have to find a job if they don’t have any money.
6. Women's basketball sponsorship autonomy. The NCAA Corporate Partner Program is for men’s basketball. Most corporate partners don’t activate on the women’s side. Give the corporate partners a chance to activate, then try to package some inventory that might be appealing for others. I understand licensing, marketing, brand protection etc. . .can’t we try?
7. Freedom of movement and pace of play to create more scoring a must to advance the game. When the WNBA moved the shot clock to 24 seconds, scoring went up. We need offensive games to showcase skill.
We don’t need an experimental season, just try it to advance the game and not wait. A backcourt count is for offense, not defense.
8. Summer recruiting , AAU basketball and high school coaches have important places in
the lives of young players. At the end of July, players are tired and coaches are complaining.
Find a solution with calendar so high school experience and coach matters.
9. Eliminate NCAA advance site visits for first and second rounds and allow Top 16 seeds to host. NCAA can manage events along with on-site game management days in advance. There will not be a loss of neutrality. . . we will be playing on someone’s home court anyway! Tighten up the budget and spend more time on marketing and selling, not fulfillment.
10. NO scholarship reduction and no more conversation about it.