ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Associate Head Coach Maurice Sumter of the Elizabeth City State Women's Basketball program participated in the 2025 NCAA Basketball Coaches Academy, held in Indianapolis.
The NCAA Basketball Coaches Academy brings together full-time men's and women's basketball coaches from across all three divisions to enhance their leadership abilities, expand their professional network and deepen their understanding of the coaching profession at the college level.
"Through the NCAA Basketball Coaches Academy, we aim to equip coaches with the leadership tools and strategic insight they need to impact student-athletes both on and off the court," said Mark Trumbo, associate director of leadership development at the NCAA. "This program is a unique opportunity to engage with leaders from across the sport and reflect on how to build successful, values-driven programs."
Over the three-day event, Coach Sumter and fellow participants took part in sessions led by experienced athletics administrators, head coaches and basketball industry professionals. Key curriculum topics included:
- Leading through DiSC behavioral profiles.
- Navigating the modern landscape of college basketball.
- X's and O's breakdown and analytics.
- Managing up and aligning with athletics leadership.
- Search and interview preparation for head coaching roles.
- Building a coaching staff and team culture.
- Leveraging the power of change.
The academy also featured presentations and panel discussion with various leaders in college athletics and the coaching profession, including Vanessa Fuchs (CEO at WeCOACH), Duane Simpkins (men's basketball head coach at American), Katrina Merriweather (women's basketball head coach at Cincinnati) and other industry experts.
Participants left the academy with enhanced communication and leadership skills, strategies for career advancement and a broadened perspective on fostering the holistic development of student-athletes.
To learn more about the program, visit the NCAA Basketball Coaches Academy website.
