ORONO, Maine — Courtney Anderson has known for several years that she wanted to become a coach once her playing career was over.
As that day rapidly approaches, the University of Maine senior will have a good chance next month to further her desires.
Anderson has been selected to participate in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s 13th “So You Want to Be a Coach” program.
The former Leavitt High School standout from Greene will be among a group of 58 student-athletes who will attend the three-day workshop to be held April 3-5 during the WBCA National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
“It’s an opportunity to learn from coaches all over the country and to be part of the national convention that a bunch of coaches go to every year,” Anderson said. “It’s an opportunity for me to network and get to meet new people and hopefully be able to work some areas to get a job.”
Anderson has been a prominent member of the UMaine squad for four seasons after joining the program initially as a nonscholarship player. She has demonstrated a good knowledge of the game and has been a leader from her point guard position.
“I think she’s going to be a great coach,” said UMaine head coach Richard Barron, who provided a written recommendation supporting Anderson’s desire to be part of the “So You Want to Be a Coach” program.
“She knows the game well, works incredibly hard, has a real passion for it,” he said. “[She] grew up in a house where she was the daughter of a coach, so I think she’ll do a terrific job with it, and I’m really excited for her.”
The WBCA program is designed to increase the understanding and appreciation of skills needed to earn a coaching position in women’s basketball while introducing players to coaches and administrators in the hope of helping them stay involved in the game.
Participants are selected based on academic achievement, contributions to women’s basketball on and off the court, a resume and the coaching recommendation.
Former UMaine guard Rachele Burns of Gorham attended the workshop last year and this season served as an assistant coach at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham.
Anderson played for her mother Tammy (Anair) at Leavitt, but she also benefitted from her years playing with the New England Crusaders, which featured an atmosphere of basketball education in addition to competition.
“I played for an AAU program that really valued basketball IQ and learning the game. It was a bunch of people that were giving back continuously,” said Anderson, who pointed to the efforts of former program director Kara O’Leary as being instrumental in her positive experience.
With her UMaine career near its end and an elementary education degree in hand, Anderson is looking forward to the next basketball challenge.
“I’m excited about the opportunity that coach Barron nominated me for and everything it has to offer,” she said.