SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Apr. 7, 2011) – Mount Holyoke College juniors Tricia Chase and Christine Chancy recently attended the NCAA Winning Careers in Athletics Forum at the Hall of Champions in Indianapolis, Indiana. The program was held from April 5-6 in conjunction with the Women's Division I Basketball Championship.
"Tricia and Christine are tremendous leaders and ambassadors of our program," said Mount Holyoke Associate Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks. "We are thrilled that they had this opportunity to broaden their networks, sharpen their professional skills and be advised by a very distinguished group of leaders in intercollegiate athletics."
Chase and Chancy were among the 40 women from around the nation who were invited to attend the annual event. The purpose of the program was to encourage female undergraduate students to explore careers in intercollegiate athletics. Over the course of the event, attendees gained a better understanding of the wide variety of opportunities in the professions of coaching and athletics administration available to women. Presenters offered perspective and insight about careers and preview skills needed to be successful within an athletics or conference office work environment.
Key areas of focus included:
- The NCAA: Overall structure, divisional focus and services provided
- Defining You: Branding, goal setting and communication
- Networking: Social vs. professional and effective vs. ineffective
- Business Etiquette: Proper business environment behavior
- Next Steps: Advanced degrees, interviewing, resumes and job pursuit
Among the panelists were Alfreeda Goff (Senior Associate Commissioner – Horizon League), Marissa Hoover (Senior Woman Administrator – Penn State Harrisburg), Zena Antoine (Assistant Basketball Coach – University of Arkansas), Maggie Calcaterra (Head Softball Coach – Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis) and Sharon Clark (Head Volleyball Coach – Butler University).
On Tuesday night, Chase and Chancy attended the National Championship at Conseco Fieldhouse, where they witnessed Texas A&M's 76-70 victory over the University of Notre Dame. The NCAA provided all participants of the program with complimentary tickets to the game and invited them to view the action from a luxury suite.
Mount Holyoke's Weissman Center helped Chase and Chancy on their journey by providing leadership grants to cover their travel costs. All other expenses, including tickets to the championship game, were covered by the NCAA.
In the midst of their trip, both student-athletes received word that they would be returning to Indianapolis for the NCAA Career in Sports Forum this summer. The four day event is slated to take place from June 12-15. It will allow participants to explore and be educated on careers in sports, with a primary focus on intercollegiate athletics. Chase has opted to take part in the coaching track, while Chancy has chosen to enroll in the administrator track.
Getting to Know Tricia Chase
Tricia Chase has been a three year starter on both the field hockey and basketball teams at Mount Holyoke. Her outstanding play on the field hockey field has led to back-to-back appearances on both the NEWMAC All-Conference and the NFHCA All-Region Teams. This season, she served as a team captain. The junior has also enjoyed an outstanding basketball career, netting 468 points and pulling down 396 rebounds.
For the past two years, Chase has served on Mount Holyoke's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In 2009, she spearheaded community outreach efforts for the NCAA Division III Field Hockey National Championship. Due in large part to her efforts, the event drew record crowds. Chase and the other members of the Field Hockey Organizing Committee earned Student Leadership and Service Awards after volunteering to participate in the planning and execution of the championship.
Though Chase is majoring in biology, she is also working toward a minor in educational studies minor with a focus on coaching and sport pedagogy. She hopes to make a career in athletics administration or coaching.
Chase on the NCAA Winning Careers in Athletic Forum – "The experience was awesome! It was pretty surreal to be watching the Championship from one of the stadium's suites, surrounded by people who have established a career in sports and women like me, looking to do the same. I loved every minute of it. The speakers were great, and everyone there was more than willing to share any knowledge they might have with us. I learned an abundance of useful information. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend this conference and the championship game thanks to our athletic department, the Weissman Center for Leadership and the NCAA. I am now sure, more than ever, that athletics is where I want to be in my professional career. The conference really made me realize how many opportunities there are in a career in athletics and how satisfying those careers can be."
Getting to Know Christine Chancy
Christine Chancy has enjoyed a standout career for the Mount Holyoke basketball team. In 75 career games played, she has amassed 548 points, 412 rebounds, 177 assists and 112 steals. She has started 59 games at the guard position. Her three-point shooting percentage of 42.6% (23-54) during her sophomore campaign was a new program single season record. This season, she was a team captain.
Chancy is currently serving as Chair of Mount Holyoke Holyoke's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. As Vice Chair last year, she oversaw three subcommittees – Community Service, Diversity and Inclusion and Marketing and Promotions. Chancy recently attended an NCAA Regional Career in Sports Forum at Wellesley College. The event was focused on career development and translating the skills learned in athletics into skills that can be used in future jobs. It took place from March 19-20. Other attendees included Flynn Vickowski (riding), Amy Spekhardt (field hockey) and Stephanie Slysz (field hockey).
Now in her junior year, Chancy is working toward a degree in sociology. With a career in athletics administration in mind, she also hopes to earn a minor in educational studies with a focus on coaching and sport pedagogy.
Chancy on the NCAA Winning Careers in Athletic Forum – "The forum was an amazing experience! At first, it didn't really register that we would be attending the National Championship. I think it finally hit us when we stepped into the Indianapolis Airport and saw all the championship decor. At the conference, we were able to meet a prestigious group of individuals who have very impressive career tracks within athletics. They gave us plenty of information and advice that could help us in our future endeavors. It definitely made me realize that this is the type of career I want to be involved in. We also met a great group of student-athletes who play at the Division I II and III levels. We were fortunate enough to get support from the Weissman Center for Leadership, the NCAA, professors, the Mount Holyoke communications department, the athletic department and our family and friends. Overall, this was a humbling experience that I will never forget."
