WeCOACH is proud to announce the upcoming NCAA Women Coaches Academy (WCA) Class #56  and NCAA Academy 2.0 (A2.0) Class #9, taking place May 17-20, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. Hosted in partnership with the NCAA, these premier leadership development programs provide multi-day, transformational experiences for women coaches across all sports and collegiate levels.

Selected to attend this year's event is Deanna Hecht, Associate Head Coach with the Eastern Illinois women's soccer program. 

This year, 122 women coaches will participate, including 98 in the NCAA WCA and 24 in A2.0. Participants represent 20 sports and a broad range of institutions, including NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, as well as the NAIA, 3C2A, NJCAA, and others. Attendees include head and assistant coaches, administrators, graduate assistants, and strength coaches.

"Through its continued partnership with WeCOACH, the NCAA is proud to support and host the 2026 NCAA Women Coaches Academy and NCAA Academy 2.0.," said DeeDee Merritt, NCAA Managing Director of Leadership Development. "These academies create transformative leadership opportunities that empower women coaches, support their retention, and reinforce the collegiate athletics landscape."

A highlight of this year's Academies will be the presentation of the 2025-26 Lifetime Achievement Awards, presented by Jostens, honoring five women coaches for their lasting impact on the profession: Kathy Aspaas, Valorie Kondos Field, Dr. Tina Sloan Green, Billie Jean King, Lorene Ramsey, and Barbara Stevens.

"The Academy provides a transformational experience where participants leave with renewed purpose, actionable strategies, and a lasting support network," said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH.  "Our data shows graduates continue to remain in coaching at rates well above the national average, and we are committed to broadening that impact. This year, thanks to our generous supporters, we have awarded more than $65,650 in scholarships to 61 participants."

Since its inception, more than 2,500 coaches have graduated from our Academies. The program focuses on holistic leadership development, equipping women coaches with the skills, confidence, and community to thrive personally and professionally.

NCAA Academy 2.0, designed exclusively for WCA alumnae, offers an advanced, immersive experience with a deeper focus on leadership growth in a highly interactive environment.

Partners & Supporters
WeCOACH extends its gratitude to the NCAA and its Academy Partners, whose support makes these programs possible, including: BAND, BSN Sports, Gatorade, Hudl, Jostens, United States Marine Corps, RBC Wealth Management, SanMar, Simple Modern, Alex Morgan Foundation, Athlete Assessments (Dr. Liz Masen), Bakline, The Coaches' Coach (Betsy Butterick), Headstrong Mindset (Dr. Brooke Rundle), JenFryTalks (Dr. Jen Fry), Legends of the Ball (L.O.B.), Natasha Watley Foundation, NOX  Pickleball, The Sports Bra Project, This One Media, and the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport.

Additional support is provided by conferences and associations including: American Conference, Atlantic 10, California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A), College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), Conference of New England (CNE), Horizon League, Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), Landmark Conference, Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA), Northeast-10 Conference (NE10), National  Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), Patriot League, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), Southland Conference, University Athletic Association (UAA), and West Coast Conference (WCC).

To learn more about WeCOACH Academy programs or support scholarship opportunities, visit:
•  WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academy
•  WeCOACH-NCAA Academy 2.0
•  Academy Scholarships

May 18-20, 2026 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Class #56 Participants:
Kristin Barrett | Providence College – Volunteer Assistant, Basketball
Emily Bay | Principia College - Head Coach, Cross Country, Track & Field
Sierra Bombard | Converse University - Head Coach, Acrobatics & Tumbling
Becky Bonaventura | Rutgers University - Strength Coach
Nona Borden | Eastern New Mexico University - Head Coach, Soccer
Darby Bourdon | Transylvania University - Assistant Coach, Volleyball
Carolyn Todd Bray | College of Saint Mary - Head Coach, Softball
Dr. Anitra Brockman | Head Coach, Volleyball
Malaysia Bryant | Cedar Crest College - Graduate Assistant Coach, Flag Football
Grace Burrows | Principia College - Head Coach, Softball
Karen Byers | Seattle Pacific University - Head Coach, Basketball
Alexis Calloway | St. Mary's College of Maryland - Head Coach, Volleyball
Inah Canete | University of the Pacific - Assistant Coach, Tennis
Tiffany Clark | Prairie View A&M University - Head Coach, Bowling
Regan Cook | Colorado College - Assistant Coach, Lacrosse
LaShonda Cousin | University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Associate Head Coach, Basketball 
Kasey Crawford | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse - Head Coach, Gymnastics
Ericka Cromartie | Florida A&M University - Assistant Coach, Basketball
Alanna Crumley | Central Methodist University - Graduate Assistant Coach, Basketball
Samantha David | University of Valley Forge - Head Coach, Cross Country
Christina Davis | Allegheny College - Assistant Coach, Basketball
Susanne Depka | Davidson College - Head Coach, Tennis
Emily Dewdney | Colby-Sawyer College - Head Coach, Field Hockey
Stephany Dunmyer | Oberlin College - Head Coach, Basketball
Ellie Edles Williams | Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo - Head Coach, Tennis
Jordan Ellis | Chaffey College - Head Coach, Water Polo
Ashlyn Englehorn | Black Hills State University - Head Coach, Softball
Jacqueline Eshleman | Iona University - Head Coach, Acrobatics & Tumbling
Madison Evans | Saint Louis University - Strength Coach
Ashley Fallgren | University of Oregon - Assistant Coach, Acrobatics & Tumbling
Riley Felton | Bethany College - Head Coach, Volleyball
Nieves Fernandez Lopez | University of Colorado, Colorado Springs - Graduate Assistant Coach, 
Soccer Kierstyn Foley | Carleton College - Assistant Coach, Softball
Demetria Frank | Bethune-Cookman University - Head Coach, Basketball
Joanna Friesen | Sweet Briar College - Head Coach, Cross Country, Track & Field
Nina Gallegos | Eastern New Mexico University - Assistant Coach, Soccer
Lucy Gates | San Diego Miramar College - Head Coach, Swimming
Sophia Geier | Lehigh University - Head Coach, Tennis
Abi Goldberg | Rutgers University - Strength Coach, Soccer
Lynea Gregory | Towson University - Assistant Coach, Field Hockey
Meg Grose | New Mexico Highlands University - Head Coach, Volleyball
Keeley Hagen | Colorado State University - Head Coach, Soccer
Kirsten Hammer | Millikin University - Head Coach, Basketball
Alicia Harris | University of Wisconsin-Superior - Assistant Coach, Volleyball
Jill Harris | Washington & Jefferson College - Assistant Coach, Basketball
Jolynn Harris | Albion College - Head Coach, Wrestling
Deanna Hecht | Eastern Illinois University - Associate Head Coach, Soccer
Alana Hinson | Principia College - Head Coach, Volleyball
Jordan Holland | Indiana State University - Assistant Coach, Volleyball
Reilly Howard | Bryant University - Assistant Coach, Basketball
Dominique Hudson | Alverno College - Head Coach, Cross Country
Nancy Javaux-Major | College of Saint Mary - Head Coach, Flag Football
Corinne Jones | SUNY Brockport - Head Coach, Basketball
Dykell Jones | Southern Virginia University - Graduate Assistant Coach, Softball
Abby Kanakry | Oakland University - Assistant Coach, Volleyball
Erica Kesseh | Rutgers University - Strength Coach, Volleyball
Annette Laron-Pickett | Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo - Head Coach, STUNT
Kate Lindholm | Goucher College - Head Coach, Volleyball
Lauren Loeffler | Trinity University - Assistant Coach, Cross Country, Track & Field
Haley Markos | Bryn Mawr College - Head Coach, Cross Country, Track & Field
Sophie McKnight | Davidson College - Assistant Coach, Soccer
Nicole Murphy | Central College - Assistant Coach, Volleyball
Courtney Novak | Edgewood University - Head Coach, Lacrosse
Moses Oceguera | University of California, Merced - Athletic Administrator, Basketball Aideen 
O'Donoghue | University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown - Head Coach, Soccer
Keri O'Meara | Wellesley College - Head Coach, Softball
Kiki Parenteau | University of Minnesota - Assistant Coach, Gymnastics
Victoria Pena | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - Assistant Coach, Basketball
Saundra Proctor | Southeast Community College - Head Coach, Basketball
Kat Puda | Smith College - Assistant Coach, Basketball
Emily Record | University of New Haven - Head Coach, Rugby
Allison Regan | Bard College - Athletic Administrator, Volleyball
Amanda Rego | Metropolitan State University of Denver - Associate Head Coach, XC, Track & Field 
Emily Ribatt | Wesleyan University - Assistant Coach, Soccer
Lily Rivera | Gordon College - Head Coach, Softball
Danielle Robinson | Allen University - Head Coach, Volleyball
Keri Rodriguez | College of Saint Mary - Head Coach, Golf
Carolina Rojas | Principia College - Assistant Coach, Basketball
Jaleesa Sams | Rust College - Head Coach, Basketball
Maddy Santore | Johnson & Wales University - Head Coach, Ice Hockey
Samantha Schwartz | La Salle University - Assistant Coach, Lacrosse
Jaida Scott | University of North Carolina at Greensboro - Assistant Coach, Soccer
Keelin Severtson | Brandeis University - Assistant Coach, Volleyball
Tori Shaffer | Simmons University - Head Coach, Field Hockey
Lashaunda Spurgeon | Christian Brothers University - Head Coach, Volleyball
Leah Stringer | Lincoln University of Missouri - Head Coach, Soccer
Kristina Susak | Milwaukee School of Engineering - Head Coach, Volleyball
Anna Taylor | Bethany College - Graduate Assistant Coach, Volleyball
Elena Tendero-Ortiz | University of Louisiana Lafayette - Assistant Coach, Tennis
Lena Thomas | St. Mary's College of Maryland - Assistant Coach, Basketball
Raven Thomas | Lander University - Assistant Coach, Lacrosse
Teddicia Tobias | New Mexico Highlands University - Graduate Assistant Coach, Soccer
Mai-Ly Tran | Colorado State University - Head Coach, Tennis
Kyrin Walker | Fayetteville State University - Head Coach, Softball
Natalie Winchester | Sewanee: The University of the South - Assistant Coach, Softball
Katt Withers | Smith College - Graduate Assistant Coach, Swimming & Diving
Delilah Wolf | Macalester College - Assistant Coach, Volleyball
Abigail Yunker | Oberlin College - Assistant Coach, Basketball

May 17-19, 2026 NCAA Academy 2.0 Class #9:
Alex Albert | University of Saint Joseph - Head Coach, Swimming & Diving
Lala Aviles Jimenez | Kentucky Wesleyan College - Head Coach, Volleyball
Tayo Bailey-Duvall | Middle Tennessee State University - Head Coach, Tennis
Nikki Binetti | Colorado College - Assistant Coach, Volleyball
Tanya Chaplin | Oregon State University - Head Coach, Gymnastics
Amanda Evans | New Mexico Highlands University - Head Coach, Soccer
Treasure Fields | Baylor University - Director of Operations, Acrobatics & Tumbling
Jerrica Grant | Head Coach, Cheer
Rachel Gray | North Central College - Head Coach, Golf
Traci Green | Harvard University - Head Coach, Tennis
Jackie Guillemette | Bentley University - Assistant Coach, Field Hockey
Kirsten Koester | Grinnell College - Head Coach, Soccer
Natsue Koikawa | Juntendo University (Japan) - Professor, Cross Country, Track & Field
Jill Leibforth | Kalamazoo College - Head Coach, Soccer
Brittney Morris | Xavier University - Head Coach, Lacrosse
Katie Russo | Goucher College - Head Coach, Lacrosse
Roseanna Smith | Oberlin College - Assistant Coach, Football
Janice Smythe | Morgan State University - Associate Head Coach, Cross Country, Track & Field 
Michaela Soper | Duquesne University - Head Coach, Acrobatics & Tumbling
Breana Sumpter | LaGrange College - Head Coach, Flag Football
Hannah Tepper | Assistant Coach, Field Hockey
Megan Warren | Wilmington College - Head Coach, Softball
Jess West | Oberlin College - Head Coach, Field Hockey
Autumn Williams | Texas A&M University Kingsville - Head Coach, Tennis

About the NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association provides a world-class athletics and academic experience that fosters lifelong well-being for more than 520,000 student-athletes annually. The NCAA stages 91 championships across three divisions, and its 1,100 member schools provide nearly $4 billion in athletics scholarships every year. Visit ncaa.org and ncaa.com for more.

About WeCOACH
Founded in 2011, WeCOACH is a one-of-a-kind 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. Prior to Title IX, over 90% of women's collegiate sports teams  were coached by women. Today, more than 50 years later, the data indicates that this number has decreased to 41% across all three NCAA Divisions, with only 7% of head coaches being women of color. Only 5% of women coach men's teams. At the youth level, the data is difficult to estimate, but approximately fewer than 20% of teams are coached by women. WeCOACH launched MOVE the NUMBERS in 2022 to help change the landscape for women coaches and the student-athletes they lead. If she can see her, she can be her. For more information visit MOVE the NUMBERS.