Tuesday, June 12, 2012

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College head coach Tammy Swearingen will be looking to use the knowledge she learned at the NCAA Women Coaches Academy last week in Atlanta, Ga. as she enters into her 20th year at the helm of the Titans volleyball program. Swearingen, who received a full scholarship to pay for the cost of the academy, was one of 44 women coaches across the country selected to attend.

"Coaching for Success and Significance," is the signature slogan of Women Coaches Academy (WCA) that is sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Alliance of Women Coaches. Coach Swearingen's graduation from the WCA has only helped solidify that distinction for her.

"This was a truly enlightening experience and extremely intense," Swearingen said.  "We discussed our philosophy in regard to coaching, understanding the different generations of student athletes, communications strategies, Title IX and Gender Equity, legal issues, managing solutions, coaching styles, coaching strategies, and coaching methods. I really can't think of a session that wasn't beneficial."

The NCAA Women's Coaches Academy provides skills training for coaches at all levels to assist them in being more efficient, productive, resourceful and successful. The academy is designed for women coaches who are ready and willing to increase their individual effectiveness by learning advanced skills and strategies that directly affect their personal and team success. The participants learn skills that are not sport specific that are relevant and necessary for coaching responsibilities, beyond the X's and O's.

In 2002, the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) supported an initiative to train, support and retain women coaches. That was the start of the Women Coaches Academy (WCA). To date there have been 24 highly successful sessions of the five-day academies, which are open to any coach from any sport, and any division.

Swearingen added, "This was an amazing week of networking, learning new ideas and concepts as well as confirming strengths. I found myself sharing a deeper explanation in regard to my philosophy and core values with other coaches and professionals. The Academy forced me out of my comfort zone and really made me think more about my mission. I believe that this experience will enable me to be a better teacher, coach and administrator."

About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College ranks first in the nation as "Best College for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math," according to Forbes.com. Westminster, a top-tier liberal arts college, ranks third in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Best Colleges guide. Westminster ranked 6th among liberal arts colleges in social mobility, according to the Washington Monthly College Guide, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 376 Colleges" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 42 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.