ATLANTA — Riki Murakami of the University of La Verne women's basketball was named a candidate for the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's 13^th annual "So You Want To Be A Coach" program.

The objectives of the program are to increase the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women's basketball, increase the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in coaching, introduce female basketball players to coaches and administrators, raise awareness of the existing talent pool of female basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching the game of women's basketball.

"The interest in the 'So You Want To Be A Coach' program has been incredible this year, and we are ecstatic to see the numerous benefits this program has had on so many young, aspiring coaches," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "Each year, the WBCA works relentlessly to improve and develop this entry-level program, and we look forward to seeing these student-athletes develop into great leaders and ambassadors for the game of women's basketball."

"So" participants will learn about recruiting, the administrative side to coaching, how to get hired, skill development, the importance of knowing the rules, and how to balance work and life. 

Qualified candidates must have exhausted their final year of basketball eligibility at a four-year institution or have graduated within the past year. In addition, the candidate's head coach has to nominate them and must be an active WBCA member. Each participant is selected based on her academics, contributions to women's basketball on and off the court, professional resume and a written recommendation from their head coach.

Sponsors for the "So" program are the WBCA and the NCAA Matching Fund for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Women Coaches and Officials.

The 2015 class for the WBCA's "So You Want To Be A Coach" program: