Sponsored by NCAA Diversity and Inclusion, NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee and the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics
Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 class of Achieving Coaching Excellence (ACE) for ethnic minority basketball coaches. The program dates are, May 31-June 3, 2009 and will be in Indianapolis, IN. Click here to download the 2009 ACE Application.
Achieving Coaching Excellence (ACE) History
The original concept of Achieving Coaching Excellence (ACE) was forged for the benefit of 25 black football coaches who convened at Stanford University in 1994. This professional development model stemmed from the collective efforts of Mike Brown and Ron Thomas of The Sports Institute and Stanford's Kevin Anderson, currently the Director of Athletics at the United States Military Academy, Ted Leland and the late legendary Bill Walsh.
With the additional involvement of Al Attles, Dusty Baker, Jim Caldwell, Marty Conley, Ron Dickerson, Dr. Harry Edwards, Dennis Green, Mike Izzi, Don Nelson, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Gene Washington, Alex Wood and Martin Wyatt, the ACE professional development concept was realized.
As a direct result, within only two years four graduates of the first ACE program - Bob Simmons, Matt Simon, Tyrone Willingham and Alex Wood - became Division I-A head coaches, and Turner Gill did the same in 2007.
In 2002, the ACE concept model was modified and adopted by Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA) to meet the needs of ethnic minority collegiate women's basketball coaches. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) and the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC) supported the adopted model. The inaugural ACE for Women program was held in 2003. With additional support of the NCAA Office of Diversity and Inclusion, BCA expanded the BCA ACE program with the addition of an ACE for ethnic minority collegiate men's basketball coaches program in 2007. Today, the BCA ACE program remains committed to preparing the next generation of ethnic minority collegiate head basketball coaches.
The ACE program is administered by BCA and supported by NCAA. The program is designed to enhance an already talented group of ethnic minority collegiate basketball coaches to become the next generation of head basketball coaches. The ACE program is committed to developing the well rounded coach in the areas of leadership, communications, campus and community relations, media training and program management. The ACE program for Men and Women's basketball coaches will encompass a faculty of well known basketball coaches, athletics and sports leaders as well as those involved in higher education.
There is no registration fee for this program. Lodging, meals and program materials will be provided. Each participant will be responsible for their own travel arrangements and costs, however BCA will provide a travel stipend to defray costs upon conclusion of the program.
Criteria for consideration is as follows:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Men's basketball - minimum of five (5) years of full time collegiate (or above) coaching,
- Women's basketball - minimum three (3) years of full time collegiate (or above) coaching
- Currently employed full time at an accredited college or university in the capacity of D1 assistant coach or DII/III head coaches
- Must be a current (paid) BCA member
- Must be available to attend all four (4) days of the program sessions
- Promote the collegiate athletic coaching profession to ethnic minority basketball coaches
- Identify, recruit and retain ethnic minorities in the collegiate coaching profession
- Provide professional development strategies for collegiate ethnic minority basketball coaches
- Enhance leadership skills
- Support opportunities for collegiate minority basketball coaches
ACE Program Goals:
- Expand networking pool and opportunities
- Exchange ideas with colleagues
- Learn from current industry leaders
- Understand game day pressures
- Explore importance of on campus relations
- Receive media training
- Learn essentials of managing a staff
- Enhance your interviewing skills
ACE Head Coaching Elevation Impact (2003-2008)
At the conclusion of the 2008 ACE class, 70 coaches have completed this important BCA programming. Nineteen head coaching positions have been gained by past ACE Class participants since the 2003 BCA ACE conception. The elevated coaches are:
Daynia LaForce-Mann, Class of 2003, University of New Haven & Northeastern University
Jolette D. Law, Class of 2003, University of Illinois
Helen Williams, Class of 2003, Merrimack College
Donnita Drain, Class of 2004, Grambling State
Tracee Jones, Class of 2004,Tennessee State
Carol Owens, Class of 2004. Northern Illinois University
LaVonda Wagner, Class of 2004, Oregon State
Tia Jackson, Class of 2005, University of Washington
Coquese Washington, Class of 2005, Penn State
Sharrona L. Reaves, Class of 2006 Long Island University
Marcia Foster, Class of 2006, Cal State Fullerton
Renee Bostic, Class of 2006, West Virginia State
Tasha McDowell, Class of 2006, Western Michigan University
Gene Cross, Class of 2007, University of Toledo
Tes Sobomehin, Class of 2007 Augusta State University
Shanice Stephens, Class of 2007, University of North Texas
Anthony T. Gholson, Class of 2008 Heidelberg College
Candidate Selection Process
All completed applications must be received at the BCA office no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 for consideration. Forward the completed application, an updated resume, copy of your diploma and a personal statement of why you are applying and what you hope to achieve by attending this program. You may also include additional information you would like the selection committee to consider. In addition, provide three references, including the correct contact information with at least one reference from your current immediate supervisor (head coach or athletic director).
