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Ivan Thomas Selected To Participate In 2022 TopConnect Basketball Symposium
6/28/2022 2:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PROVIDENCE, R.I.- It was announced that Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Ivan Thomas, was selected to participate in the 2022 TopConnect Basketball Symposium. TopConnect took place at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Nev. on Monday, June 27. Thomas was joined by many top assistant basketball coaches in the country for the Synposium.
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In 2003, then VCU Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander founded TopConnect (formerly Villa 7). TopConnect provides networking and leadership development opportunities for coaches by connecting them with mid-major Athletic Directors. The selected coaches heard from successful leaders and speakers as part of the symposium's educational programming. In its fifth year, the 2022 panel included Lindy LaRocque, Head Women's Basketball Coach at University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Simon Harris, Head Women's Basketball Coach at East Tennessee State University; John Aiken, Head Men's Basketball Coach at McNeese State University and retired Head Coach, Lon Kruger.
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The symposium consisted of several panel discussions and breakout sessions, including Expectations of a Head Coach; Preparing for the Interview; First 365 Days Managing the Season and Developing Real Expectations; What ADs are looking for; Scheduling; NIL; Discipline and Motivation; Mental Health; Core Values; Building Support; The Future of College Basketball.
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Since the inception of TopConnect in 2018, 35 assistant coach and assistant athletic director participants have been promoted to the next chair of Head Coach and Athletic Director as well as a Conference Commissioner.
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-GO FRIARS!-
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In 2003, then VCU Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander founded TopConnect (formerly Villa 7). TopConnect provides networking and leadership development opportunities for coaches by connecting them with mid-major Athletic Directors. The selected coaches heard from successful leaders and speakers as part of the symposium's educational programming. In its fifth year, the 2022 panel included Lindy LaRocque, Head Women's Basketball Coach at University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Simon Harris, Head Women's Basketball Coach at East Tennessee State University; John Aiken, Head Men's Basketball Coach at McNeese State University and retired Head Coach, Lon Kruger.
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The symposium consisted of several panel discussions and breakout sessions, including Expectations of a Head Coach; Preparing for the Interview; First 365 Days Managing the Season and Developing Real Expectations; What ADs are looking for; Scheduling; NIL; Discipline and Motivation; Mental Health; Core Values; Building Support; The Future of College Basketball.
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Since the inception of TopConnect in 2018, 35 assistant coach and assistant athletic director participants have been promoted to the next chair of Head Coach and Athletic Director as well as a Conference Commissioner.
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-GO FRIARS!-
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