By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University Assistant Swimming Coach Sydney Kanne has been selected to receive the Jean Freeman Scholarship that provides six assistant coaches nationwide with registration, transportation, and lodging to attend the annual College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Convention and Clinic. In addition, Kanne is one of just 100 women's coaches or administrators chosen from all sports and at all levels of collegiate competition to attend this year's NCAA Women Coaches Academy.
This year's CSCAA Convention and Clinic will be held May 7-10 in Orlando, Florida. The NCAA Women Coaches Academy is set for May 22-24 in Denver, Colorado.
Kanne and the other five Jean Freeman Scholarship recipients were singled out for the honor because they brought recognition to their institutions and provided leadership, integrity, honesty, a competitive attitude and personal graciousness to match the characteristics shown by Jean Freeman.
Freeman was the head women's swimming coach at the University of Minnesota for 31 years starting in 1973. She coached the swimming team to 27 winning seasons, while capturing two Big Ten Championships. She coached two National Champions, 14 Big Ten Champions, and 175 All-Americans.
Willamette Head Swimming Coach Brent Summers recommended that Kanne apply for the Jean Freeman Scholarship.
"I had to fill out an application that had three short-answer questions, and provide a resume," Kanne explained regarding the process of applying for the Jean Freeman Scholarship. Kanne focused her answers on her coach philosophy and ways in which she has exemplified Jean Freeman's strengths as a leader and a coach.
Kanne looks forward to many of the sessions that will be held in Orlando. She recalled how much she benefited from attending the convention last year.
"I liked seeing all of the different talks," Kanne commented. "This year, there are several on what's going on in the sport of swimming ... all of the on-the-pool-deck topics."
By receiving a Jean Freeman Scholarship, Kanne will be able to begin the convention a bit earlier than most attendees.
"This go-around I get to go to the coaches' academy that starts a day before everyone gets there, and then we'll also meet every morning," Kanne explained. "We will work on improving the skills you already have developed and work at developing the skills that aren't as fully developed." Kanne also noted that the academy will give "you a network for when you are ready to continue in your career. The focus of the academy will be on recruiting, preparing for your next job, fundraising for your program, etc. ... the not-on-the-pool-deck side of coaching."
The NCAA Women Coaches Academy will be held over three days as a growth and development program for women coaches in all collegiate sports at all levels and with various years of experience. According to the WCA, it is designed for women coaches who are ready to elevate their holistic coaching effectiveness by learning advanced leadership skills and strategies that directly affect their personal and team success.
Kanne said that 174 coaches applied to attend the WCA before 100 were accepted. When she applied for the WCA, she commented about herself as a coach, the skills she has that she would like to make even better, and the skills she knows are weaker and she wants to improve.
She applied for the Women Coaches Academy in part to "be able to meet with other women-identifying coaches who are on that path," with similar experiences and situations.
"I'm looking forward to being in a place that is full of women-identifying persons who are of the same mind-set of being in our sports and in athletics," Kanne said. "And making it so athletes know they have a place beyond the pool or on the court."
According to Kanne, the WCA "will be geared specifically toward us as women in sports ... obstacles with moving forward in our careers. At the creation of athletics, it wasn't for women. There's going to be a different perspective (at the WCA). Even so, "I don't think the skills learned will be only for women," Kanne added. "That's why I'm looking forward to bringing them back for Brent Summers."
Title IX, now at its 50th Anniversary, will be discussed, including "how it's not as good as it could be and how we can make it better at this level," Kanne said.
