PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The BIG EAST Conference recently distributed full or partial grants as part of the BIG EAST Professional Development Grant for Women and Ethnic Minorities program, which provides funds for professional development to the league’s coaches and administrators.  The program is in its fifth year of existence, and provided three coaches and seven administrators with a total of $12,000 in aid.

 

The purpose of this grant program, which was developed by the BIG EAST’s Senior Woman Administrators (SWAs) in conjunction with league officials, is to provide financial support for the various professional development opportunities for women and ethnic minority coaches and administrators who work at a BIG EAST Conference member institution.  The BIG EAST will continue to allocate and distribute money for this program on an annual basis.

“This unique initiative continues to underscore and illustrate the BIG EAST Conference’s commitment to diversity -- a point our 16 senior woman administrators feel is important to emphasize in a tangible way,” said Senior Associate Commissioner Donna DeMarco, who works directly with the league's SWAs. “Now that this has become an annual occurrence, we are able to provide rewarding professional development opportunities within all levels of our member institution athletic departments.

 

The 10 award winners successfully completed the nomination and application process that included a required personal statement, which gave the applicant the ability to articulate reasons for interest in a particular professional growth opportunity. There were more applications for aid this year than ever before.

 

Among the seminars, programs, conferences and workshops that this year’s recipients will be attending include the NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy, National Fastpitch Coaches Association College, National Women’s Coaches Academy Dimensions 2, NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minorities, National Association for Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA), American College Counseling Association, NACWAA Hers Convention, NCAA Gender Equity and Issues Forum, College Event & Facility Management Association and National Association of Athletic Development Directors.