Koker and Stonebraker Selected for Exclusive WBCA Coaching Development Initiative

DeKALB, IL – A duo of Northern Illinois University women’s basketball athletes were recognized in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s “So You Want To Be A Coach” Program on Wednesday. Sixth-year senior Chelby Koker (Racine, Wis./Shoreland Lutheran) and graduate student Brooke Stonebraker (Versailles, Ohio/Versailles) were amongst the 80 graduating women’s basketball student-athletes chosen to partake in a two-day workshop on April 3 and 4 during the WBCA Convention in Tampa, Fla. 
  
Entering its 22^nd year, the “So You Want To Be A Coach” initiative aims to cultivate the essential skills in graduating student-athletes to acquire coaching roles in women’s basketball across various levels. Those chosen will gain insights into the administrative facet of coaching, recruitment, skill enhancement, maintaining work-life equilibrium, and much more. Selections are made based on academic performance, contributions to women’s basketball both on and off the court, professional credentials, and a written endorsement from their head coach. 
  
In her sixth season, Koker has received recognition on the All-Mid-American Conference team and the Academic All-MAC team three times each. She has also been honored as the MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week four times during her career. Koker has amassed 1,667 points during her five seasons as a Huskie, with an average of 11.4 points per game this season. Furthermore, she is ranked fourth in the MAC with 4.9 assists per game. She views the “So” program as the initial step towards a potential coaching path.
 
“I am deeply passionate about basketball, and as my time as a Huskie draws to a close, I have been contemplating the next steps,” Koker expressed. “This opportunity was presented to me, and I believe it’s a program from which I can gain a lot of knowledge. I am entering it with an open mindset, eager to learn as much as possible and to take my first step into coaching.”  
  
A graduate student, Stonebraker is a three-time Academic All-MAC selection, a third-team All-MAC choice, and a CSC Academic All-District honoree for the 2023-24 season. This season, Stonebraker earned the MAC Player of the Week accolade on Dec. 17 and leads the team with 11.6 points per game. Moreover, her 7.1 rebounds per game also top the squad and place her sixth in the MAC. 
 
“I aspire for it to be a valuable learning opportunity,” Stonebraker stated. “I want to gain insights into aspects that I might not observe as a player and apply that knowledge to life beyond basketball. It presents a fantastic chance to learn great things from highly respected coaches.”
 
The Huskies will face Miami tonight at the NIU Convocation Center at 6 p.m. Tickets for tonight’s game, as well as all remaining NIU basketball matchups, are available at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).
 
–NIU–