The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BALLIN’ By Da Beach Basketball Camp may be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the organisation will ensure that its participants continue to benefit from its network of partners.

BBDB, in conjunction with Global College Access, is scheduled to host its seventh annual “Student Summer Success Series” - sponsored by the University of the Ozarks. The series will include nightly Zoom sessions July 14-17 from 6pm to 8pm, featuring university presidents, athletic directors, coaches and college admissions leaders.

Geared toward high school students, student-athletes, parents, coaches, guidance counsellors, and educational stakeholders, all sessions are free of charge.

Sessions will include: Leading the Change through A Global Crisis; Executing The Change; The College Athlete and Coaching Through the Crisis and Expanding Opportunities for Student Success.

“Under the theme, ‘Crucial Conversations in Higher Education: COVID-19 Threats and Opportunities,’ this year’s series will provide relevant insight into international college recruitment, admissions, enrolment and financing – but in an unprecedented way. From the comfort of their homes, scholars, parents and educational stakeholders in The Bahamas and within the Caribbean region will have access to the faces behind college and university mascots who are pioneering, leading change, creating new pathways and making crucial decisions to address the way forward,” the organisation said in a press release.

“Hear from international college presidents as they speak about the process of navigating through a pandemic into a successful school year in the fall and beyond. Connect with international college vice-presidents and admissions directors as they discuss the evolving college admissions processes during a world crisis. Watch as college athletic directors and coaches tackle topics such as the notable changes in the recruitment process, social distancing on respective college campuses, how the ‘new normal’ will impact student athletes and other topics involving the expanding opportunities that some students and parents have not even considered.”

Night three (The College Athlete and Coaching Through the Crisis) features several standout names in Bahamian coaching including Yolett McPhee-McCuin - Head Coach Ole Miss Women’s Basketball; Kimberley Rolle - Athletic Director of the University of the Bahamas Chris “Fireman” Brown - Olympic Gold Medallist and Head Track & Field Coach at Clayton State University; Edric Poitier, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Florida State College at Jacksonville and Dr Stephany Coakley - Sports Psychologist and Associate Athletic Director/Mental Health at Temple University.

Interested persons can register for the 2020 Student Summer Success Virtual Series and can visit studentsummersuccess.com

“Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed extreme demands on leaders in almost every sector of the world with a considerable amount of uncertainty and apprehension pushing them into crisis mode. However, the true test of leadership is based on the response to the chaos and disruption; a response that unites people to propel an articulated mission and university leaders are no exception. The uncertain times of social distancing, quarantine, sanitizations and feelings of loss control and emotional instability demand a leadership change in behavior and mindset of calm and resilience to navigate its stakeholders throughout the epidemic,” they said, “We have sought to embrace this time to educate and challenge our participants as we embrace the challenge and threat of COVID-19: a way to create an even grander opportunity to connect students with higher education opportunities.”

BBDB was created by Jurelle Mullings in 2010 when she saw a need to place a greater focus on the development of women’s basketball at the youth level. She is also the coordinator of the Student-Athlete Resources and Support (STARS) Programme in the Ministry of Education.

Since 2010, the camp has featured hundreds of underserved, aspiring student athletes.

In addition to the camp, the organization also hosts a Recruitment Exposure Showcase to aid aspiring players in their college recruitment process.

“Our mission is to take a personal interest in every basketball player and coach to help them become game changers on and off the court. Our vision is to build a movement of passionate basketball players by delivering excellence through the game. Our vision inspires us in our daily work. We create a diverse, collaborative, encouraging environment where teamwork and openness are the cornerstones.”

GCA was founded by Monique Hinsey, who specialises in college readiness and career consulting and also serves as the programme developer and coordinator, Public School Scholars Program (PSSP) program.