Photo by: AJ Henderson - Georgia Southern Athletics
Shumate to Participate in TopConnect Basketball Symposium
6/9/2023 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Event to connect top assistant basketball coaches with ADs
STATESBORO – Georgia Southern associate head men's basketball coach Chris Shumate has been selected to participate in the prestigious 2023 TopConnect Basketball Symposium that is set to take place next week in Orlando. Presented by Teamworks and INFLCR, TopConnect (formerly Villa 7) originated in 2003 by then VCU Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander and identifies the top assistant basketball coaches in the country to connect them with mid-major Athletic Directors for tremendous networking and leadership development opportunities for both parties.
In its sixth year, TopConnect develops educational programming that allows these top assistant coaches to hear from a wide variety of successful leaders and speakers.
"TopConnect, under the leadership of Dr. Sander, made a very smart decision with their selection of Chris Shumate for their prestigious program," GS head coach Charlie Henry said. "Chris is respected across the country as a relentless recruiter, genuine mentor and terrific on-floor coach. All of these qualities have made him invaluable to me in our short time together and will no doubt make him an excellent head coach. I know TopConnect will put him one step closer to making that dream a reality."
Panel discussions and breakout sessions include first-time head coaches, the AD/Coach relationship, taking the reins (of an existing program), NIL and Athletic Director panel. The fan-favorite "Speed Dating" returns and allows for rapid networking to take place between the assistant coaches and administrators.
The three-word mantra of "Connect. Prepare. Lead." identifies the purpose of TopConnect.
Since the inception of TopConnect in 2018, more than 50 assistant coach and assistant athletic director participants have been promoted to the next chair of head coach and athletic director as well as a conference commissioner.
Shumate is a 15-year coaching veteran having been on staffs at Cincinnati, Southern Miss, Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Northern Kentucky before landing in Statesboro four years ago.
In its sixth year, TopConnect develops educational programming that allows these top assistant coaches to hear from a wide variety of successful leaders and speakers.
"TopConnect, under the leadership of Dr. Sander, made a very smart decision with their selection of Chris Shumate for their prestigious program," GS head coach Charlie Henry said. "Chris is respected across the country as a relentless recruiter, genuine mentor and terrific on-floor coach. All of these qualities have made him invaluable to me in our short time together and will no doubt make him an excellent head coach. I know TopConnect will put him one step closer to making that dream a reality."
Panel discussions and breakout sessions include first-time head coaches, the AD/Coach relationship, taking the reins (of an existing program), NIL and Athletic Director panel. The fan-favorite "Speed Dating" returns and allows for rapid networking to take place between the assistant coaches and administrators.
The three-word mantra of "Connect. Prepare. Lead." identifies the purpose of TopConnect.
Since the inception of TopConnect in 2018, more than 50 assistant coach and assistant athletic director participants have been promoted to the next chair of head coach and athletic director as well as a conference commissioner.
Shumate is a 15-year coaching veteran having been on staffs at Cincinnati, Southern Miss, Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Northern Kentucky before landing in Statesboro four years ago.
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