Bradley Jacks Selected to TopConnect GALA
12/31/2020 11:19:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Bobcats' Graduate Assistant Joins Inaugural Class for Graduate Assistant Leadership Academy
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Quinnipiac men's basketball graduate assistant Bradley Jacks has been selected as a participant in the inaugural class for TopConnect Graduate Assistant Leadership Academy (GALA).
Jacks joined Baker Dunleavy's staff at Quinnipiac ahead of the 2019-20 season. He is currently in his second season with the Bobcats.
Over 115 basketball graduate assistants from around the country applied for one of 22 spots in the initial class. TopConnect GALA is conceptualized and managed by former UAB Head Men's Basketball Coach Rob Ehsan. It is an eight-week class focused on leadership and professional development. Basketball Coaches and Athletic Directors will share their thoughts on professional development in Zoom sessions, while Coach Ehsan will work with participants in many different areas.
TopConnect (formerly Villa 7) is the preeminent professional preparation and networking program for college basketball coaches and athletic directors. Current head coaches Anthony Grant (Dayton), Steve Forbes (Wake Forest), John Groce (Akron), Buzz Williams (Texas A & M) and Greg Gary (Mercer) to name a few, have participated in TopConnect (Villa 7). Originated in 2003 by Dr. Richard Sander (former VCU Athletic Director) as Villa7, the program was resurrected in 2017 under the name TopConnect. TopConnect mantra of Connect. Prepare. Lead. has touched thousands of leaders in college athletics.
TopConnect founder, Dr. Richard Sander's thoughts on TopConnect GALA:
"As TopConnect continues to build on its mission to help prepare the next generation of leadership in college athletics, GALA fits perfectly into the TopConnect mantra of Connect. Prepare. Lead. When Coach Ehsan came to me with this idea, I felt it was the perfect next step in our quest to help prepare leaders in college basketball. After I viewed the total program, I was 100% committed to work with Rob to implement this exciting new opportunity. For TopConnect this is the first of many new and exciting programs that will be launched in 2021. If you are a basketball graduate assistant and serious about a career in coaching basketball, I would jump on this opportunity as quickly as possible."
Quote from former UAB Head Coach Rob Ehsan
"I am very excited to partner with TopConnect to launch the first TopConnect GALA. We will be providing a unique leadership and networking development opportunity to basketball graduate assistants throughout the country. It is my honor to be able to guide this group of young leaders who aspire to be coaches. I am grateful for the support and enthusiasm of Doc Sander and the whole TopConnect organization. The GALA program will continue to support their mission to grow and connect the next generation of leaders within athletics."
TopConnect is a combined venture with Connected Media LLC and ETSU Center for Global Sports Leadership.
