ATLANTA (March 29, 2017) — The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today the WBCA Thirty Under 30 presented by Marriott Rewards® honorees for the 2016-17 season.
The WBCA Thirty Under 30 presented by Marriott Rewards® program was created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women’s basketball coaches age 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.
“The WBCA is pleased to recognize up and coming talent in our coaching family. The 30 coaches who have been named to receive the Thirty Under 30 Award are deserving of this recognition, and the WBCA congratulates them for distinguishing themselves early in their careers,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “These coaches have demonstrated eagerness, effectiveness, loyalty, love of the game, and a commitment to the student-athlete. We celebrate their effort on the basketball court as teachers and equally applaud the extensive role they play in impacting the lives of their student-athletes.”
“As Marriott embarks on a new and exciting partnership with the NCAA as Official Hotel Partner, we are thrilled to recognize 30 highly talented coaches who have also been outstanding members of their communities,” said Steve Heitzner, chief sales and marketing officer, Americas, Marriott International. “As a company, we focus on the development and recognition of professionals in many industries and are incredibly proud of the accomplishments and bright futures of these exceptional female coaches.”
Here are the 2017 WBCA Thirty Under 30 presented by Marriott Rewards® honorees:
- Shaina Afoa, assistant coach, University of Alaska-Anchorage.
- Courtney Boyd, associate head coach, University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
- DeAudra Brown, assistant coach, Seward County Community College.
- Chelsea Carlisle, associate head coach, University of California-San Diego.
- Jessica Cavaco, assistant coach, Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham.
- Brittany Christian, assistant coach, Northwest Kansas Technical College.
- Lauren DeFalco, assistant coach, Seton Hall University.
- Kathryn DeWitt, head coach, Dordt College.
- Erin Dickerson, associate head coach, Towson University.
- Megan Dzikas, assistant coach, Saint Leo University.
- Alexandria Fuller Simmons, assistant coach, University of Mississippi.
- Danielle Gratton, assistant coach, University of Missouri-Kansas City.
- Shaun Gunnell, assistant coach, University of Rio Grande.
- Hana Haden, head, coach, Harris-Stowe State University.
- Neil Harrow, assistant coach, Troy University.
- Cody Hartzler, assistant coach, Baldwin Wallace University.
- Aaron Horn, assistant coach, University of South Dakota.
- Jacie Hoyt, assistant coach, Kansas State University.
- Olivia Lett, assistant coach, University of Chicago.
- Amanda Patton, assistant coach, University of West Florida.
- April Phillips, associate head coach, Loyola Marymount University.
- Kris Seigenthaler, assistant coach, Auburn University-Montgomery.
- Kyley Simmons, assistant coach, University of Sioux Falls.
- MaryLynn Skarzenski, head coach, Mitchell College.
- Kylene Spiegel, head coach, Lawrence Technological University.
- Kimberly Stephens, head coach, Glenville State College.
- Adam Tandez, assistant coach, Northern Illinois University.
- Morgan Toles, assistant coach, Kent State University.
- Cetera Washington, assistant coach, Western Michigan University.
- Caitlin Wetmore, assistant coach, University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
This is the second year of the WBCA Thirty Under 30 presented by Marriott Rewards® program. Please visit www.wbca.org/recognize/ to see a list of honorees.
About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is the world’s largest hotel company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 6,000 properties in 122 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company’s 30 leading brands include: Bulgari®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy® Hotels, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com and @MarriottIntl.
About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit www.WBCA.org for more details about the Association.
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