July 17, 2008
Lady Lion head coach Coquese Washington is one of three people elected to the 29-member Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Board of Directors for the 2008 season, it was announced by WBCA President Sherri Coale. Joining Washington, whose three-year term begins with the July 31 Board of Directors meeting, as first-term board members are Hartford coach Jennifer Rizzoti and Northern Illinois coach Carol Owens.
"I am honored to serve on the board of our board of our organization and i look forward to helping to continue to develop the legislation that guides our profession," Washington said. "The WBCA is such an important organization for women's basketball and has expanded the opportunities for our sport during its 27-year history."
"I am so pleased to have such a wonderful group of fellow coaches and administrators around me during my second year in office," said Coale. "Every one brings their own unique perspective and experience to the table which will certainly enhance the Board. I have no doubt the WBCA will continue to grow and do great things on the court and in the community in the year to come."
The WBCA Board of Directors develops policies, procedures and regulations for the operation of the organization. They also monitor the organization's financial health, programs and overall performance and provide the chief executive officer with the resources to meet the needs of those the organization serves.
Washington, who was is the fifth head coach in Penn State women's basketball history and the first female African-American head coach in Penn State history, is entering her second season at the helm of the Lady Lion program. In her first season, Washington and the Lady Lions picked up two nationally-televised wins on ESPN and CBS, downed two nationally-ranked foes and took home the 25th regular-season tournament crown in program history.
The Coquese Washington era started in style as the Lady Lions won their first three games of the season, including a win over #20/21 Pittsburgh, to claim the WBCA Classic title. Just three weeks later, Washington guided the Lady Lions to their first ever win over perennial contender and 10th-ranked Duke in the inaugural Big Ten/ACC Challenge, a game that was televised on ESPN2. The Lady Lions also appeared on CBS, earning a road win over Michigan State to kickoff the New Year. Brianne O'Rourke (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Kam Gissendanner (Clairton, Pa.) earned third team All-Big Ten accolades in Washington's first season in Happy Valley, while Tyra Grant (Youngstown, Ohio) was an All-Big Ten honorable mention choice.
Other members of the WBCA Board of Directors include: Geno Auriemma, University of Connecticut; Bonnie Henrickson, University of Kansas; Terri Mitchell, Marquette University; Pam Ruder, Southwestern University; Doug Bruno, DePaul University; LaVonda Wagner, Oregon State University; Carolyn Campbell-McGovern, Ivy League; Lisa Bluder, University of Iowa; Joanne Boyle, University of California; Charli Turner Thorne, Arizona State University; Sue Semrau, Florida State University; Russ Davis, Vanguard University; Stephanie Glance, North Carolina State University; Charlene-Thomas Swinson, University of Tulsa; Tom Collen, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; Karen Tessmer, Worcester State College; Gie Parsons, Clarion University; Carmen Dolfo, Western Washington University; Nan Carney-DeBord, Ohio Wesleyan University; Michael Landers, Trinity Valley Community College; Kathy Richey-Walton, Southwest DeKalb High School; Muffet McGraw, University of Notre Dame; Sue Ramsey, Ashland University; Patrick Nero, America East Conference and Donna Orender, WNBA President.