Christy Thomaskutty of Emory Selected Next Vice President Of WBCA

Christy Thomaskutty of Emory Selected Next Vice President Of WBCA

From Emory University Athletics

Emory University head women's basketball coach Christy Thomaskutty has been selected the next vice president of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, the WBCA office announced today.

Thomaskutty will succeed George Washington University head coach Jennifer Rizzotti as the association's vice president. Rizzotti, who has served as vice president for the last two years, becomes president on July 1. Thomaskutty was unopposed in her candidacy for the position following a review of the nominees by the WBCA Nominating Committee.

"I cannot think of anyone I would rather have serve at my side in leadership of the association," said Rizzotti. "I have full faith and confidence in Christy's knowledge and understanding of the WBCA and of the challenges that confront our association and our sport."

"I am beyond humbled by this opportunity," said Thomaskutty. "I greatly appreciate Jen and her faith in me; I think the world of her. I am ecstatic to work alongside Jen, because I know that she will continue our efforts to grow our association as well as our game."

Thomaskutty, who recently completed her 14th season as head coach at NCAA Division III Emory, is now in line to become the first non-NCAA Division I coach to serve as WBCA president since 1999. (Carol Alfano served as WBCA president from 1997 through 1999 while head coach at NCAA Division III Mills College.) Thomaskutty will succeed Rizzotti as president of the association in 2019.

Thomaskutty has been a member of the WBCA Board of Directors, serving as NCAA Division III legislative chair, for the past five years. She has also served on the WBCA Executive Committee as the NCAA Division II/NCAA Division III at-large board representative for the last two years. Thomaskutty also serves as a WBCA NCAA Division III Conference Captain and has previously served on the WBCA NCAA Division III Coaches' All-America Selection Committee and the WBCA NCAA Division III Coach of the Year Selection Committee.

"Christy has distinguished herself in service as a member of the board of directors and executive committee," said Rizzotti. "She has done everything and more that we have asked of her. She is respected not only by her peers on the NCAA Division III level, but also by those on other membership levels — coaches and administrators alike — with whom she has served on the board.

"It is said we choose leaders based on what we most need at the time," continued Rizzotti. "Well, simply put, the WBCA needs to grow. Christy is the right person at the right time to help us do that."

Thomaskutty graduated magna cum laude (Bachelor of Science in Management) from Tulane's A. B. Freeman School of Business in 1996. She later earned her master's degree (Masters of Business Administration) from Illinois State in 2002. 

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit www.WBCA.org for more details about the Association.