It was a moment I was eagerly looking forward to, after all
the hard work that went into preparing for
the WBCA Convention and the Women’s
Final Four. Then COVID-19 happened and everything came to a crashing halt.
I was in my sixth month as the Communications &
Marketing Intern at the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) when both
the convention and the Final Four were called off. Not only was this going to
be the third Final Four I would attend, but my first one as a staff member at
the WBCA. A girl’s dream of getting to be a part of the WBCA Convention was
shattered because of the pandemic.
I attended my first Women’s Final Four in April 2014 in my
hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. I was a junior in high school who had
aspiring dreams of being a part of women’s basketball one day. A few days
before the event, I remember my family and me driving in the downtown area
seeing everything set up. I couldn’t believe my dream of attending my first
ever Final Four was becoming a reality.
It was Sunday when my
dad and I walked into Tourney Town at the Music City Center. My first thing on
my to-do list was to get in line for autographs. I had the opportunity to meet
a few of the basketball players I saw play on TV, such as Odyssey Sims, Tiffany
Mitchell, Jordan Hooper, Skylar Diggins and Brittney Griner. I also
participated in a basketball shooting competition. One of my favorite moments
was seeing the national championship trophy and learning different facts about
women’s basketball.
Around 5 p.m., it was time to head over to Bridgestone Arena
for the semifinals. UConn was the favorite to win it all. The Huskies had incredible
talent on their roster including Breanna Stewart.
Fast forward four years and I attended the 2019 Women’s
Final Four in Tampa, Florida. I was a senior in college and was getting ready
to graduate in May. It was hard to believe how much I had grown and that I was
officially pursuing opportunities to meet people in sports.
While I was at Tourney Town, I attended Beyond the Baseline,
a three-day networking event where I got to learn advice from other
professionals in the sports industry. My favorite part was when I met LaChina
Robinson and had the opportunity to ask a question to her during the Around the
Rim podcast. The funny part was when I ran into her producer the day after the
Final Four at the airport.
I also explored the
WBCA Trophy Exhibit. I took photos with all the awards that were displayed. While
I was there, I met one of the staff members and learned about the membership. I
never thought months later she would become one of my supervisors at the WBCA.
The national championship game was incredible as I got to
watch Baylor beat defending national champion Notre Dame in a nail biter. I
couldn’t believe I was there when Chloe Jackson made that final second layup to
secure the title.
I made amazing memories at two Final Fours and was looking
forward to making many more. With the 2020 Final Four called off, I find myself
asking why? A day does not go by when I think about what could have been. If
this pandemic had not happened, I would have been on a plane to New Orleans but
instead I am at home working remotely.
The convention may have been canceled, but we were able to
transfer it to an online format called Power Hour. Through this, coaches can
still have the opportunity to attend the convention but through lectures via
video. I was fortunate to take part in this assignment, transcribing videos of coaching
topics and creating thumbnails for social media.
I ended my internship at the WBCA on Apr. 30. On
Mar. 23, before I left to return home to Tennessee to quarantine with family,
I came by the office to swap out my laptop; little did I know that would be the
last time I would be there. As I wrap things up, I think about the uncertainty
that lies ahead. Facing the reality of a tough job search in sports and how it
will be different when the pandemic ends. I ask myself about where and when I
will find my next opportunity. Will I return to sports information on a college
campus or should I research options for graduate school?
With all the uncertainty that is happening, there is no
telling what will come of it. But the only thing I can control, is getting my
name out there. I am very fortunate to be involved with SIDAChat and CoSIDA
making connections in the SID world. Every week, I am sitting in chats with
others in my profession through Zoom. We talk about different subjects
regarding what is going on in sports information and how COVID-19 will affect
athletics as a whole when everything is back to normal.
There was one point
that I got to have a Zoom chat with two SIDs. I explained to them some of my
ideas regarding the job search and getting my foot into the sports information
world. They gave me some great advice on how I can achieve those goals. I never
thought I would have the opportunity to be a part of these chats. This resource
has given me confidence during my process of finding my next job.
I am looking forward to what lies ahead even if I don’t see
it right now. Since I moved on from the WBCA, the thought of missing the
opportunity to work at the convention still lingers in my mind. Hopefully, one
day I will get my chance to help out in the future.
I am staying positive during these difficult times, knowing
that this will not last forever. I have my entire life ahead and look forward
to achieving my dream as a sports information director one day.
