WNBA coach will speak to area coaches at clinic

Dan Hughes will be the guest speaker at the Oct. 15 clinic.

B.J. Smith considers himself fortunate to be able to attract somebody with Dan Hughes' credentials to Cape Girardeau.

Hughes, coach of the WNBA's San Antonio Stars, will highlight a coaches clinic hosted by the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball program on Oct. 15.

The clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center.

Hughes has been coaching in the WNBA the past seven years, and he was the league's coach of the year in 2001 after leading the Cleveland Rockers to a 22-10 record. He will be the featured guest speaker for the clinic.

"We feel pretty lucky to have somebody like him coming in here," said Smith, Southeast's women's coach. "I first got to know him from when I had two of my players at NEO [Northeastern A&M Junior College] get drafted.

"We've kept in touch, and he'll really be a good speaker for our clinic because he's one of those guys who loves basketball and knows so much about the game."

Southeast men's coach Gary Garner will begin the clinic with a session on last-second shots, followed by a session on half-court sets by Southeastern Illinois Junior College women's coach Greg Franklin.

Scott Franklin, manager of Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson, will present a session on sports enhancement programs, followed by a session led by Smith on out-of-bounds plays. Hughes will then conclude the clinic by speaking about various topics.

The clinic costs $50 per person, which includes lunch. Smith said basketball coaches on all levels will benefit.

"From junior high to high school to college, there will be a lot of good information for everybody," Smith said. "This is a great opportunity for coaches from around the area to learn from some of the best."

Smith and his program put on a similar clinic last year for the first time. The turnout was solid, but he's hoping for increased attendance this year.

"We had about 50 people last year, but we're looking for more this time," he said.

Oct. 15 also marks the first day that college basketball teams can officially begin practice, and Smith said coaches at the clinic will be welcome to stick around and watch his squad on the court.

For more information about the clinic or to reserve a spot, call the Southeast women's basketball office at 651-2646, or e-mail mfortier@semo.edu.