Cleve and Batts Graphic

Women's Basketball Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Wright Appointed to WBCA Board of Directors

Wright, Batts chosen to work College Basketball Academy

ERIE, Pa. – The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has announced the appointment of Gannon women's basketball coach Cleve Wright to the WBCA National Board of Directors. It marks the second time Wright has served on the Board of Directors representing Division II. He was previously on from 2011-13.

In addition, Wright and assistant coach Brittany Batts have been selected to work the prestigious College Basketball Academy that will take place later this month.

The WBCA is a membership-driven organization, which encompasses more than 3,000 coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of the sport – from scholastic and non-scholastic youth to collegiate to the WNBA.

A 31-member board of directors determines WBCA policy, provides guidelines for the entire program sponsored by the WBCA, and employs an executive director and staff to administer the programs of the WBCA. It is composed of member coaches appointed by their peers, now including Wright, from each of the six membership divisions, athletic administrators supportive of women's basketball, and professionals from the public sector who lend their expertise in areas such as finance and law. Wright is one of three Division II representatives on the board.

Wright is in his second stint in charge of the Golden Knights and has enjoyed incredible success in 16 years at the helm. He owns a record of 359-122 at Gannon while coaching the Golden Knights from 2002-13 before returning in 2019-20. He has an overall head coaching record of 394-209 in 20 seasons.

This past year Gannon enjoyed one of its most successful seasons ever Wright's tutelage. The Golden Knights finished at 35-3, winning its fourth PSAC Championship and going on to win the Atlantic Regional crown to advance to the Elite Eight for the third time under Wright.

Wright and Batts will take part in the College Basketball Academy at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina from Saturday, July 27 to Monday, July 29, 2024. The NCAA runs College Basketball Academies for both men's and women's players. It gives prospective men's and women's student-athletes a sample of the college basketball experience.
Organized with input from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), these developmental summer academies pair high-level basketball competition with life skills instruction.

In addition to basketball training, skill development, and games, participants and their parents or chaperones will attend life skills courses about NCAA eligibility and compliance; the recruiting process; name, image and likeness opportunities; agents; and the transfer portal.

Batts has been at Wright's side as an assistant coach since 2021 after enjoying a standout career as a Golden Knight from 2011-15. She still rates as one of the top outside shooters all-time at Gannon and is now making her mark in the coaching profession.

Earlier this year Batts was named the WBCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year. She has known nothing but winning in her years with the Golden Knights. In three seasons as an assistant coach Gannon has compiled an 88-14 record with three NCAA Tournament appearances and two PSAC championships.

As a player Batts was a three-year starter who appeared in 125 career games with 92 starts. Gannon was 102-24 in her playing career with four NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2013. She finished with 1,152 points and holds the top two season figures for 3-pointers made with 102 in 2012-13 and 93 in 2013-14. She ranks second in career 3-pointers made (286) and attempts (688) and is fifth in 3-point field goal percentage (.416).
 
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