GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Grove City College women's basketball senior guard Jackie Stewart (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) has been selected as a member of the 15th annual class of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) "So You Want To Be A Coach" program, as announced by the association office on Monday.

"I'm excited and honored to have been selected to the 'So You Want To Be A Coach' program," said Stewart. "It's a great opportunity to learn from other coaches and to begin to work toward my dream career."

Stewart, a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at point guard, is one of 61 total women's college basketball players across all NCAA and NAIA divisions in their final year of eligibility, including one of just 15 selected from NCAA Division III, who will participate in the three-day workshop held March 29-31 in conjunction with the WBCA Convention in Dallas.

"(Jackie) is a great leader for us in games, in practice, and off the court," said Grove City fourth-year head coach Chelle Fuss. "Coaching fits her personality, and her desire to coach continues a long line of many women from our program who have gone on to coach at various levels."

The objectives of the "So" program are to increase the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women's basketball, increase the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in coaching, introduce female basketball players to coaches and administrators, and raise awareness of the existing talent pool of female basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching the game of women's basketball.

"We continue to invest in young, aspiring coaches through our 'So You Want To Be A Coach' program," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "Each year, the WBCA family reinforces our support for this important entry-level program. We have high expectations for these graduating student-athletes and the future contributions they will make to the game of women's basketball."

"So" participants will learn about recruiting, the administrative side to coaching, how to get hired, skill development, the importance of knowing the rules, and how to balance work and life.

Qualified candidates must have exhausted their final year of basketball eligibility at a four-year institution or have graduated within the past year. In addition, the candidate's head coach has to nominate them and must be an active WBCA member. Each participant is selected based on her academics, contributions to women's basketball on and off the court, professional resume and a written recommendation from their head coach.

Sponsors for the "So" program are the WBCA and a grant provided by the NCAA.

Visit www.WBCA.org for more information on the "So" program.

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit www.WBCA.org for more details about the Association.