Dear WBCA member,
This marks the end of Week 11 of the COVID-19 shutdown. Our hope is that you and your loved ones remain safe and well. Here is your update for this week.
THIS WEEK IN REVIEW
MONDAY, MAY 18
WBCA launches survey of DII, DIII head coaches. At the request of its NCAA Division II and Division III board members, the WBCA launched a survey of DII and DIII head coaches on the recruiting calendar, summer activities and budget impact in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conference captains in both divisions were asked to forward the link to the survey to the head coaches in their respective conferences. As of noon ET Friday, more than 75 percent of head coaches in each division had completed the survey. If you are a DII or DIII head coach who did not receive a link to the survey, email jwatford@wbca.org. The original deadline to complete the survey was 5 p.m. ET today (Friday, May 22). However, the survey will be left open through Memorial Day to capture additional input.
TUESDAY, MAY 19
DI SAAC weighs in on transfers. The Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has released an opinion statement on transfer legislation and waivers. Click here to read the committee's statement.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
NCAA Division I OKs resumption of on-campus voluntary athletic activities in football, basketball starting June 1. Division I football and basketball student-athletes can participate in on-campus voluntary athletics activities beginning June 1 as long as all local, state and federal regulations are followed. The DI Council also extended the blanket waiver allowing teams in those sports to require eight hours per week of virtual nonphysical activities through the end of June, recognizing that some student-athletes won’t be able return to campus or will not be comfortable doing so. Click here to read more.
NCAA Division I to address transfers through legislation, not policy. The Division I Council approved a resolution Wednesday that outlined its intention to adopt by January a comprehensive legislative package creating uniform, modernized rules governing eligibility after transfer for student-athletes in all sports. The resolution was recommended by the Transfer Waiver Working Group, which earlier this year had proposed a change to waiver guidelines that would have accomplished the same goal but through the waiver process instead of through a legislative change. Click here to read more.
NCAA Division II lowers maximum, minimum number of contests. For the 2020-21 academic year only, the minimum number of contests required in Division II for sport sponsorship and championships selection, as well as the maximum number of contests and dates of competition allowed, will be smaller than in years past as a result of financial impacts from COVID-19. Women’s basketball was cut from 26 to 22 maximum games. Contests played as part of a conference challenge event or the Division II Tip-Off Classic, which are normally exempt, must be counted in the 22-game limit. The minimum number of games a team must play to qualify for Division II championship consideration is 15. Click here to read more.
2020-21 NCAA Division I Coaches Certification (Recruiting) Practice Test Available. The 2020-21 NCAA Division I Coaches Certification (Recruiting) Practice Test is currently available online here. Contact Bud Pough at opough@ncaa.org if you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding the practice test. For technical issues with the test, contact DeAnna Stephens at dstephens@ncaa.org.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
NCAA Division I prohibits countable required athletics activities through June 30. Wednesday’s decision to allow football and basketball student-athletes to participate in on-campus voluntary athletics activities beginning June 1 was expanded to include all Division I sports. However, countable required athletics activities remain prohibited through June 30 for all basketball and football student-athletes. Click
here to read more.
Survey shows student-athletes grappling with mental health issues. Since college sports were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic in March, most respondents in an NCAA student-athlete well-being survey reported experiencing high rates of mental distress. The survey, which was open from April 10-May 1 and had responses from more than 37,000 student-athletes, also showed 82% of respondents reported feeling positive or very positive about the support they are receiving from their coaches. Click
here to read more. Click
here to download a PDF of the detailed results
EDUCATION & NETWORKING
TUESDAY, MAY 26 (1 p.m. ET)
Lessons from Associate Head Coaches. From recruiting to supporting your head coach, associate head coaches Stephanie Norman of Louisville, Carol Owens of Notre Dame and Kate Pay of Stanford host assistant coaches roundtables during which they will offer insight and tips on how to be the best assistant coach you can possibly be! This session is open only to current WBCA members. Click here to register to attend.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 (11 a.m. ET & 4 p.m. ET)
Reaching Your Summitt: Championship Lessons for High School Coaches. The Pat Summitt Leadership Group in partnership with the WBCA offer a second showing of "Reaching Your Summitt," a complimentary webinar that features Coach Summitt's DEFINITE DOZEN! Click here to register to attend.
THURSDAY, MAY 28
#WBCAPodcast: Growing Our Game. Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale continues the conversation on evaluating your staff at the end of the year. Subscribe or follow through Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
COST-SAVINGS MEASURES
Click here to read cost-savings measures suggested by member coaches as they cope with the budgetary impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Submit any additional ideas you or your institution have implemented or may implement either by emailing them to jwatford@wbca.org or by submitting them in the comments section on the “Cost-Savings Measures” webpage so they may be shared with the membership.
BENEVOLENT FUND
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the WBCA Benevolent Fund. Every penny given is 100% tax deductible and goes toward helping women’s and girls’ basketball coaches in need of financial assistance. The WBCA anticipates an increase in applications to the Fund as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the profession worsens. Help the association help your peers in need. Click here to donate or apply for assistance to the Fund today.
WBCA CORONAVIRUS PAGE UPDATES
NCAA Division I
NCAA Division II
NCAA Division III
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Have a wonderful, fun Memorial Day weekend! As always, stay safe and be well.
WBCA
