Photo By Sgt. Jessica Quezada | Maj. Gen. Mark Brilakis (left), commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command,...... read more read more
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - On the eve of the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Championship, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association held its annual awards show ceremony to celebrate the 2013-2014 season.
Amidst the crowd of accomplished athletes and coaches were Marines in their Dress Blues. Maj. Gen. Mark Brilakis, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, presented the WBCA Division I Defensive Player of the Year award to Stefanie Dolson from the University of Connecticut. The other finalists included Odyssey Sims, Baylor University and Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford University.
“The WBCA gives us an opportunity to partner with a nationally known organization and focus on athletics, whether it be in physical challenges, interviews, or discussions … in those interactions they’ll see something that resonates with them; leadership, commitment, ethical behavior, an opportunity for something beyond basketball, bigger than themselves,” said Brilakis.
Dolson, whose Huskies play Notre Dame tomorrow for the national championship, echoed the similarities between the Marine Corps ethos and tenacity it takes to play college athletics.
“The Marine Corps is an amazing environment to be around…not everyone can say they were apart of and to be here and see how hard they’ve worked, it translates to us and it translates onto the court to have that toughness that the Marines have,” said Dolson. “Leadership is something I take personally…and to take that away from the Marines…it definitely translates onto the court…staying together as a team and leading us hopefully to the championship tomorrow night.”
The WBCA is wrapping up its national convention in Nashville, Tenn., next door to the Bridgestone Arena and the Final Four tournament. The award presentation is part of a blossoming partnership between the Marines and the WBCA. Throughout the conference’s daily meetings, forums and panels the Marines have made themselves a fixture at the convention.
On Saturday, drill instructors, Nashville Marines, and former members of the All-Marine Women’s basketball team led coaches and athletes in a morning workout complete with Marine Corps motivation and leadership lessons. In addition, Marines were present at the coaches expo to sign up interested schools of all levels for a free leadership and physical fitness seminar led by officers and enlisted Marines.
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2014 21:35 |
| Story ID: | 124792 |
| Location: | NASHVILLE, TN, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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