Gamechangers: A WBCA Podcast

Big games require more than just skill, they demand the right mindset. In this episode, Columbia Head Coach Megan Griffith shares the pre-game rituals, strategies, and mental routines that help teams stay locked in and perform when the stakes are high. From visualization techniques to game-day habits, we dive into the psychology of preparation and how coaches can set their teams up for success. Whether you're a coach, player, or basketball fan, this episode offers insight into the championship mindset needed to compete at the highest level.

In Episode 2 of Gamechangers, host Brian Rosario sits down with Karlie Burris, Assistant Coach at UNLV, for an in-depth conversation on player development. They dive into the strategies and philosophies that shape elite athletes, from skill-building to fostering a winning mindset. Karlie shares her approach to coaching, the importance of mentorship, and how UNLV is creating a culture of growth and success. Tune in for insights on helping players reach their full potential, on and off the court.

In the debut episode of Gamechangers, host Brian Rosario sits down with Danielle Donehew, Executive Director of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), to reflect on the past decade of growth in the coaching profession. They discuss the programs designed to support and develop coaches, the importance of advocacy and representation in the game, challenges faced and the future goals for the association. Looking ahead, Danielle shares her vision for the WBCA’s future and the steps being taken to elevate the profession and empower coaches at all levels.

Flaum (Tulane) and Villarreal (Georgia Tech) offer their insights on building relationships, managing and maneuvering COVID-19 and what’s it’s like to wear many hats for a women’s basketball program.

We continue our “Coaches on Coaches” series with head coaches AnnMarie Gilbert of Detroit Mercy and Molly Miller of Grand Canyon. Both coaches are entering their first season at the NCAA Division I level after successful stints at NCAA Division II programs. In this episode Gilbert and Miller offer insights into their transitions from DII to leading a DI program.

We continue our “Coaches on Coaches” series with assistant coaches Tasha Brown of UCLA and Danielle O’Banion of Minnesota. Brown and O’Banion discuss coaching over the past eight months including empowering student-athletes through civic engagement and how their programs have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Retired head coaches Harry Perretta of Villanova and former WBCA president Barbara Stevens of Bentley combine for total of 1,822 wins and today they are going to offer their insight on what they’ve learned through their 40+ years of coaching experience.

Shanteona Keys, WBCA manager of education, sits down to talk with Amanda Alexander, licensed psychologist at Stretch Performance Psychology. Alexander is a former Division I athlete and earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee. Her primary areas of expertise and interest are peak performance, stress management/reduction, burnout and more. Today she will talk about performance anxiety in student-athletes and how coaches can best support them.

Shanteona Keys, WBCA manager of education, sits down with Lindsey Wilson, founder of Positive Performance Training. Wilson will discuss why coaches are the perfect people to deliver mindset training, even during a global pandemic, and why it is important to prioritize your mindset and self-care first, as a leader of your team.

Nikki McCray-Penson from Mississippi State and Yolett McPhee-McCuin from Ole Miss join the #WBCAPodcast to talk about their activism to get the Mississippi state flag changed. McCray-Penson is entering her first year with the Bulldogs after a successful three-year stint at Old Dominion. McPhee-McCuin is a 16-year coaching veteran and is entering her third season with the Rebels. Today they will offer insight about their recent experience of going to the Mississippi state capitol to advocate to change the Mississippi state flag.