Princeton University Athletics
Women's Basketball's Banghart Elected to 2015-16 WBCA Board of Directors
June 19, 2015 | Women's Basketball
PRINCETON, N.J. – Princeton University head coach Courtney Banghart has been elected to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) board of directors for the 2015-16 season.
The honor is the latest in a whirlwind year for Banghart, who was named the Naismith National Coach of the Year. Helping to guide the Tigers to an unblemished 30-0 regular season, Banghart also took home Coach of the Year honors from the USBWA, ECAC and Ivy League in addition to being named one of Fortune Magazine's 50 Greatest Leaders.
"The WBCA board serves as a very important voice for the continued growth of our game and of our business,” said Banghart. “I'm grateful to my peers for trusting me with this leadership position and it is an honor that will get my best effort. I look forward to the collaborative and important work ahead.”
Penn State head coach Coquese Washington will serve as the organization's president, with Hartford head coach Jennifer Rizzotti taking over duties as vice president/president-elect. Florida State's Sue Semrau will also serve on the six-member executive committee as a past president.
Following a comprehensive revision to the WBCA by-laws, the restructured board will be composed of 24 voting members. The executive committee will be comprised of six voting members with the WBCA executive director serving as the association's secretary and a non-voting member of the board of directors and executive committee.
This past season, Banghart led Princeton to a program-best mark of 31-1 and its first-ever NCAA win with an 80-70 first round victory over Green Bay. Helping Princeton achieve the highest-ever national ranking for an Ivy program, Banghart's Tigers climbed as high as No. 13 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls. The winningest coach in Princeton history, Banghart has amassed a 169-67 (0.716) overall record in her eight seasons with a 92-17 (0.844) mark against Ivy League opponents.
The WBCA Board of Directors develops policies, procedures and regulations for the operation of the organization. It also monitors the organization's financial health, programs and overall performance and provides the executive director with the resources necessary to meet the needs of those the organization serves. A complete list of this year's WBCA board of directors is below:
Executive Committee
Coquese Washington, head coach, Penn State University, president
Jennifer Rizzotti, head coach, University of Hartford, vice president/president-elect
Sue Semrau, head coach, Florida State University, past president
Treasurer (to be appointed by the board)
Connie Hurlbut, deputy commissioner, Western Athletic Conference, administrator
NCAA Division II or III board member (to be appointed by the board)
Danielle Donehew, executive director, WBCA, secretary (non-voting)
Board of Directors
Karen Aston, head coach, University of Texas, NCAA Division I Midwest
Courtney Banghart, head coach, Princeton University, NCAA Division I East
Nikki Caldwell, head coach, Louisiana State University, NCAA Division I At-Large*
Claudette Charney, head coach (retired), Hillsdale College, NCAA Division II Legislative
Tricia Cullop, head coach, University of Toledo, NCAA Division I At-Large*
Chancellor Dugan, head coach, Bellarmine University, NCAA Division II Group I
Rich Ensor, commissioner, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Collegiate Commissioners Association
Brandan Harrell, head coach, Georgia Highlands College, junior/community colleges
Chris Kielsmeier, head coach, Wayne State College (Nebraska), NCAA Division II Group II
Mary Klinger, head coach, Rutgers Preparatory School, scholastic
Lisa Fortier, head coach, Gonzaga University, NCAA Division I West
Amanda Levens, associate head coach, Arizona State University, assistant coaches
Patricia Manning, head coach, Williams College, NCAA Division III At-Large
Muffet McGraw, head coach, University of Notre Dame, NCAA Division I Legislative
Kirsten Moore, head coach, Westmont College, NAIA
Danielle O'Banion, head coach, Kent State University, Advocates for Athletic Equity*
Mary Beth Spirk, head coach, Moravian College, NCAA Division III At-Large
Christy Thomaskutty, head coach, Emory University, NCAA Division III Legislative
Leadership Advisory Council chair (to be appointed by the board)
Two public sector members (to be appointed by the board)
Anucha Browne, vice president for women's basketball, NCAA (non-voting)
Carol Callan, national team director, USA Basketball (non-voting)
Diane Dickman, managing director, NCAA Academic & Membership Affairs (non-voting)
Martha Putallaz, professor, Duke University, faculty athletic representatives (non-voting)