Marshall University Athletics
Stanton Participates in NCAA Women Coaches Academy
6/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall softball Coach Shonda Stanton took part in the NCAA Women Coaches Academy last week in Atlanta, and was a recipient of the Judy Sweet Award on Friday, along with Quinnipiac rugby Coach Becky Carlson.
The Judy Sweet Award recognizes two members of each academy team whose spirit and dedication to their own and to others' personal and professional success has made an impact on their peers. This award is granted via nomination by fellow classmates at each WCA program.
Judy Sweet is the first female president of the NCAA, a pioneer with a storied coaching and athletics administration career, and a tireless crusader for Title IX. She truly believes in the power of sharing our personal and professional stories. Through her caring and commitment, Judy's leadership has guided the WCA into the success story that it is today.
"I am very thankful to have had this opportunity for growth both professionally and personally at the WCA," Stanton said. "Executive Director Marlene Bjornsrud and her staff do an incredible job securing relevant topics and speakers that challenge and inspire such growth. The experience was enhanced by interacting with amazing female coaches across division, sport, and level. I would encourage any women coach to join the Alliance and participate in their events."
The event is a five-day educational training open to coaches of all experience levels that offers non-sport-specific program management strategies, with a special focus on philosophy development and building your skills and knowledge about planning, communication, legal issues, ethics, hiring, supervising staff, conflict resolution, learning styles and achieving success.
The academy is for women coaches from NCAA-sponsored sports at NCAA Division I, II, or III member institutions. Since the first WCA session in 2003, more than 34 academies have taken place, producing more than 1,300 graduates. The WCA and The Huddle are the most popular programs, and are considered the premier educational opportunities for women coaches in the NCAA.
The WCA has three objectives: skills development, retention and mentoring and collaboration.
Stanton's 2015 Thundering Herd (35-15) boasted six National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Mideast Region honorees in sophomore outfielder Morgan Zerkle (first team), senior outfielder Emileigh Cooper, junior outfielder Kaelynn Greene and freshman infielder Elicia D'Orazio (all on the second team) and junior infielder Shaelynn Braxton and sophomore pitcher Jordan Dixon (both on third team). Zerkle also was a Capital One Academic All-American.
