Women's Team Managers On Board Of NACBM

The National Association of Collegiate Basketball Managers announced late Monday that the group would be opening membership to Division I women's team managers. Since January 2011, the NACBM has had membership open for managers specific to men's teams in Division I college basketball.

"The association was built with expansion in mind," executive director Kyle Lyddy said. "We've wanted to get a good system in place for membership, and we think we are now in a good place to begin expecting a substantial amount of names."

Lyddy, who started the association at the start of 2011, is excited about the opportunity to welcome women's teams to the mix. Over 275 men's team managers from around the country have signed on and Lyddy expects to get a similar response from women's teams around the country over the next few months.

"I have heard their voices," Lyddy said in response to the dozens of women's teams who have reached out to the group. "I'm excited to welcome women's teams to the association in hopes that the networking opportunity can expand for everyone. We're here to network, get to know each other and build excitement around the managerial position."

The networks will be open to both men's and women's teams, however for organization purposes, the network pages will remain separate, Lyddy explained.

"All managers will have access to both the men's and women's team password protected databases," he said.

Lyddy has tabbed Raquel Cordeiro (Danbury, Conn.) a Bryant College women's team manager, as the Director of Women's Basketball Operations for the NACBM. Cordeiro will work closely with the NACBM staff to build the women's side of the association.

"I couldn't be more excited to welcome Raquel to our staff," Lyddy explained. "Her commitment and love to her position as a manager at Bryant is the perfect example of what this group is all about."

Lyddy went on to explain that Cordeiro is committed and excited about making this be beneficial for women's team managers. He commended her for her efforts in making this a reality for women's teams.

"She hounded me," Lyddy joked. "No, but she was instrumental in making this happen. We had this in mind since day one, but Raquel sped the process up to assure this happened prior to the 2011 season and she really should be commended."

"The NACBM brings together managers across the country to network and support each other throughout the best season in all of sports," Cordeiro explained. "I am ecstatic about involving women's basketball managers."

"I expect women's team's managers to be able to connect and learn from each other," she continued. "Being able to relate to one another and use each other to become the best manager possible is what the NACBM is here for."

Lyddy explained the importance for a new and up and coming group to be open and welcoming it's memebers.

Cordeiro has opened up and asked those interested in learning more about the NACBM to reach out.

"I'm enthused about this program and the success thus far. If you need anything, feel free to contact me at anytime at rcordeiro@nacbm.org."

"I look forward to getting women's teams on board and making them feel the support and importance of their title. Being a manager is not easy, but together we make working behind the scenes, the best job anyone can ask for."