As introduced, my name is Samantha Michel. I played collegiate basketball at Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina, and at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. I worked for the nationally ranked University of Utah Utes as their Creative Director of Marketing and Recruiting and currently am a Graduate Assistant at Virginia Commonwealth University Women’s Basketball program.
At Utah, I ran the social media, created in-game content, orchestrated and saw out program events (Brunching’ With the Utes, Free Fall Skills Clinic, Future Scholars Elementary game, and marketing-themed basketball games), and worked in Alumni Relations. During my time at Utah, I learned teamwork skills, conflict resolution skills, creative marketing, and overall, how to be a part of a Power 5 program.
At VCU, as a GA, I spent my time learning how to be an assistant basketball coach. I ran workouts, created scouts, drew up plays, and saw from a talented group of individuals what it takes to be an A10 assistant coach.
When hired, I am looking to not only assist the administration and leadership of the basketball program, but also provide coaching, instruction, recruiting, facilitation of player development, scouting, preparation of practice activities, and any other duties assigned to me. To have finished an undergrad degree and two master’s degrees is a testament to my dedication to any challenge thrown my way.
Working in the Pac-12 Conference and the A10 Conference, I believe I am prepared to succeed at any program I join next. I know how high-level basketball is played, and what it takes to win. Participating in the WBCA “So You Want to Be a Coach” program also inspired me to figure out my coaching style, and my determination to be a coach, and overall, just fueled my fire to work in this field. I am high energy on and off the court, and I believe my enthusiasm will help me go far. Being very coachable on the court will enable me to be very coachable in life—Coachable players are employable leaders.