As March Madness captivates basketball fans nationwide, it's not just the players on the court who shine. Behind every successful team in the NCAA tournament are exceptional leaders and mentors who inspire, strategize, and guide their players to victory. In the middle of the madness, it is coaches like Geno Auriemma who stand as pillars offering invaluable guidance and mentorship to their teams as they navigate the highs and lows of tournament season.
Since 1985, Auriemma has been head coach of the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team. As coach, Auriemma has built one of the most dominant programs in the history of women’s college basketball with an unprecedented six perfect seasons, 11 NCAA Division I Championships, and 57 conference championships.
With a career spanning almost 4 decades, Auriemma was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006, solidifying his place as one of the basketball greats.
Breanna Stewart spoke about her time at UConn and had this to say about Auriemma, “I was trying to do things my way and he wanted me to do things his way…but the way that he helped me throughout my four years, it was the best decision of my life.”
Auriemma and Stewart's relationship worked well because Auriemma knew what he needed to do to coach a rising basketball superstar and Stewart was willing to be coached.
In historically underserved communities, young girls face a significant opportunity gap due to complex social, economic, and educational challenges, creating formidable barriers to their success. It is these communities that can benefit from access to great coaches and mentors.
Of our three programs, 318 SPORTS is dedicated to empowering exceptionally talented athletes who may lack exposure or the necessary support to unlock their full potential. Our mission is to create transformative elite training experiences that not only enhance their athletic abilities but also focus on personal growth and empowerment.
It is our goal to give these girls the opportunity to find coaches and mentors who can impact their lives for the better. Taking inspiration from coaches like Auriemma, we aim to help guide the next generation.
Join us in the journey towards excellence with 318 SPORTS.
Subscribe to our newsletter today and follow as we highlight other notable examples of excellent leadership and mentorship in collegiate sports throughout March Madness: https://www.318foundation.org/
To make a donation please visit: https://www.318foundation.org/donate
References:
