Lakewood, N.J. - James Navalance, member of the Georgian Court University women's basketball coaching staff, has been selected as a participant in the inaugural class for the TopConnect Graduate Assistant Leadership Academy (GALA).  Over 115 basketball graduate assistants from around the country applied for one of 22 spots in the initial class.

TopConnect GALA, conceptualized and managed by former UAB Head Men's Basketball Coach Rob Ehsan, 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.

"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," said Dr. Sander.  "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."

 TopConnect is a combined venture with Connected Media LLC and the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Center for Global Sports Leadership.