Flora Wong
Staff Writer
From her first dribble to her next shot, senior team forward and captain of the women’s basketball team, Noelle Cobb is advancing her basketball career.
She was recently selected to participate in a three-day leadership and development workshop this spring by the “So You Want to Be a Coach” program, hosted by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.
With the help of head coach Julie Shaw, Cobb applied to the program in hopes of taking her first step in achieving her dream of being a coach.
In early September, the student-athlete was accepted into the leadership conference which will be held on March 29-31 in Dallas.
“I know Noelle has the ability to be a great coach and with the help of this program, I can see her applying all the lessons to her coaching career in the future,” Shaw said.
Having played the sport since age 3, Cobb knew her expertise in basketball with her educational studies major would benefit her career in coaching.
“I want to be able to help young women to become a better version of themselves, as an individual and as a player in a team,” Cobb said.
Being the second ULV athlete to participate in the program, her teammates are very supportive of her selection.
The program seeks to assist female collegiate basketball players who are interested in a career in coaching the sport to create a lasting impact through education, skills enhancement, networking and exposure opportunities.
According to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, the goals of the “So You Want to Be a Coach” program is to improve coaching techniques, make connections with professional coaches and administrators, and increase opportunities for female basketball players interest in coaching.
“Noelle’s passion for the game is evident,” Shaw said.
“It is her positive energy and respect for the game that makes her coach-able, respectful, and the leader of the team,” Shaw added.
Cobb sees her experience as a team captain first at Fullerton College and then at University of La Verne as a good foundation for the program.
Karli Kato, senior guard and current co-captain of the team, emphasized Cobb’s dedication to her teammates and her willingness to improve.
“She is always interested in learning something new about the game and about people, which is the reason why I think she’d be a great coach in the future,” Kato said.
Cobb hopes to use the program’s benefits toward becoming a graduate assistant in women’s basketball after she graduates in spring, when relocates outside of California.
Flora Wong can be reached at yuenyuen.wong@laverne.edu.
Flora Wong
