Former UD Standout Kotas Named a WBCA Thirty Under 30 Selection
Mar 8, 2019
ATLANTA (March 6, 2019) — The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today the WBCA Thirty Under 30 presented by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s newly renamed loyalty program, and Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment honorees for the 2018-19 season. Former University of Dubuque All-Conference performer Jenna Kotas is one of the selections in 2018-19. She is in her first season as an assistant coach with the Purdue Northwest women’s basketball program in 2018-2019 after spending a year with UD and a year at Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill.
Kotas was an Honorable Mention All American her senior year at UD, a 5-time Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Women’s Female Athlete of the Week, 3-time UD Female Athlete of the Month, 2-time UD MVP, D3Hoops.com All West Region, and National Team of the Week recipient. She also led the IIAC in scoring her senior year with 18.1 ppg while being ranked third in the nation for free-throw percentage at 90.2%. She was also a major contributor for UD claiming their first regular season conference championship in 2015.
The WBCA Thirty Under 30 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. This is the fourth year of the WBCA Thirty Under 30 Program.
“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.”
“Marriott is committed to supporting the career growth of women and we are extremely proud to celebrate 30 amazing female coaches who are strong representatives for the sport and their communities,” said Kieran Donahue, vice president, brand, marketing and digital, Marriott International, Americas. “In our third year as the Official Hotel Partner of NCAA, we are thrilled to support the accomplishments of these extraordinary women.”
“We are proud to be a part of this year’s WBCA Thirty Under 30 and recognize the future leaders and superstar coaches in women’s basketball,” said Sandra Richards, managing director of Morgan Stanley and head of global sports & entertainment and segment sales & engagement.
Here are the 2019 WBCA Thirty Under 30 honorees:
|
Name |
Title |
School |
|
Daniel Barber |
Assistant Coach |
Clemson University |
|
Ashley Barlow |
Assistant Coach |
Wright State University |
|
Molly Bateman |
Assistant Coach |
University of Detroit Mercy |
|
Tyler Bates |
Head Coach |
Loudonville High School |
|
Michelle Bilek |
Assistant Coach |
University of Chicago |
|
Sara Binkhorst |
Assistant Coach |
Brown University |
|
Rebecca Burke |
Head Coach |
University of Charleston |
|
Tatum Burstrom |
Assistant Coach |
Carson-Newman University |
|
Kenia Cole |
Assistant Coach |
Presbyterian College |
|
Anya Covington |
Assistant Coach |
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee |
|
Alexandria Coyne |
Assistant Coach |
University of West Florida |
|
Scott Gillespie |
Assistant Coach |
Illinois State University |
|
Katelyn Grisillo |
Assistant Coach |
Wingate University |
|
Christina Harvey |
Assistant Coach |
Gannon University |
|
Heidi Heintz |
Assistant Coach |
University of California-San Diego |
|
Chelsea Hudson |
Assistant Coach |
Panola College |
|
Abby Jump |
Assistant Coach |
Wright State University |
|
Jenna Kotas |
Assistant Coach |
Purdue University Northwest |
|
Lindsey Moore |
Assistant Coach |
University of The Pacific |
|
Shannon Murphy |
Assistant Coach |
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University |
|
Megan Phelps |
Assistant Coach |
Bowdoin College |
|
Emily Ragsdale |
Assistant Coach |
Drury University |
|
Nicole Razor |
Associate Coach |
Anderson University |
|
Brianna Sanders |
Assistant Coach |
University of Akron |
|
Amber Smith |
Assistant Coach |
University of Kentucky |
|
Roman Tubner |
Assistant Coach |
Indiana State University |
|
Jazmone Turner |
Associate Head Coach |
Coppin State University |
|
Candice Walker |
Assistant Coach |
University of Massachusetts |
|
Jazz Weaver |
Assistant Coach |
Canisius College |
|
Hailey Yohn |
Assistant Coach |
High Point University |
