ATLANTA — LSU women’s basketball associate head coach Bob Starkey was a keynote speaker at the inaugural Assistant Coaches Professional Development Symposium held May 1-2 in Atlanta.
The empowering symposium was specifically designed for assistant women’s basketball coaches. More than 100 coaches from universities and colleges across the nation were inspired, motivated and invigorated by some of the best in the business during the two-day event.
Joining Starkey was Beth Bass, CEO of the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association (WBCA), Karen Aston (UNC Charlotte), Al Brown (Duke), Kelly Bond (Texas A&M), Lisa Boyer (South Carolina), Jackie Smith Carson (Furman), Lisa Cermignano (Illinois), Tim Eatman, (University of Arkansas), Bobbie Kelsey (Stanford), Jolette Law (Illinois), Carlene Mitchell (Rutgers) and Coquese Washington (Penn State).
“The star studded line up of speakers really lived up to their billing as the best in the business and left the attendees wanting more,” said Felicia Hall Allen, director of the symposium.
“It was an amazing weekend that I believe was extremely successful,” said Starkey, a 21-year veteran in the coaching ranks at LSU. “The concept of providing a specific clinic to teach and learn those responsibilities unique to an assistant coach has long been overdue.”
Starkey was one of a handful of presenters that spoke twice with his topics being “The Role of an Assistant at Practice” and “The Art of Scouting.”
“Felicia and Johnny (Allen) brought in some of the absolute top assistants,” stated Starkey. “I spoke twice but found myself learning a great deal from the other presenters over the course of the weekend.”
The assistant basketball coaches’ symposium began as a good thought of Felicia and Johnny Allen and developed into an exciting, informative, thought provoking career building and professional development weekend. The schedule of events also included a Friday evening practice session with the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream.
Kristeena Alexander of George Washington University, a symposium participant said, “The experience was a ‘life changer’ as I move forward in my career.”
Johnny Allen reiterated that, “Our intent for the symposium was to empower assistant coaches to Lead from Where They Are by allowing them to gain new knowledge or brush up on previously learned skills that would enhance their contributions to building championship level teams.”
Already receiving rave reviews, plans are in the works to have two more symposiums next summer.