Erika Lambert selected for NEXT UP program
4/7/2020 12:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ABILENE – Abilene Christian associate head women's basketball coach Erika Lambert was selected as one of just 30 honorees nationwide for the Women Coaches NEXT UP program that was supposed to take place at the 2020 Women's Basketball Coaches Association Convention in New Orleans on April 2-5.
The Women Coaches NEXT UP is a powerful new program to promote the advancement and retention of women's basketball coaches in intercollegiate athletics. In partnership with the WBCA, Women Coaches NEXT UP aims to connect up-and-coming assistant coaches with senior-level athletic administrators through an interactive and engaging half-day workshop.
Coaches participating in the event learn from and interact with the administrators who are making the hiring decision for their respective programs. Coaches will gain key insights and knowledge that will help them get noticed win, earn the job and build successful careers as a head coach.
"I am so very excited for Erika to have been selected for this prestigious program," said head coach Julie Goodenough. "As our associate head coach, she emulates our Christian culture in all areas of her life. She is an effective teacher for our players, while being an example of loyalty and consistency. I applaud the extensive role she plays in helping to impact the lives of our players both on and off the court."
Lambert wrapped her fifth season as the associate head coach, and has a decade's worth of experience coaching at the collegiate level, nine of which have been with NCAA DI programs. Her responsibilities with the Wildcats include coordinating all recruiting efforts, oversee post player development, and lead the program's alumni relations and community outreach efforts.
Goodenough and Lambert previously worked together during the 2011-12 season at Charleston Southern University. That year's team won 17 games and qualified for its second postseason appearance at the Women's Basketball Invitational in three years. After Goodenough departed for Abilene Christian, Lambert stayed on board for one additional year at Charleston Southern as an assistant to head coach Fred Applin. Lambert took over the development of the team's post players during this season and helped former Wildcat graduate assistant coach Lakeitha Alston earn All-Big South honors behind 16.6 points per game.
Lambert is an active member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and The Alliance of Women Coaches. She also co-facilitates Moms In Coaching, which is a group dedicated to supporting mothers in college basketball coaching at all levels. Moms In Coaching is officially recognized by the WBCA.
Her success at ACU is well documented; the program has experienced four 20+ win seasons in her five years, including the 2019 Southland Tournament championship and a 16-4 record in 2019-20 in conference play to finish tied for second in the league.
"I was so honored to be selected for this program," said Lambert. "Women Leaders is a trailblazing professional organization that has been around for more than 40 years. It is a collaboration of many bright minds in the business. I'm grateful to Alicia English (Assistant AD at Kennesaw St. University) for the nomination. I can't wait to participate next year. I look forward to connecting with athletics administrators who are leading their departments with excellence."
Speaking of participating next year: due to COVID-19, this year's program was canceled in New Orleans. This year's participants are accepted into next year's program, which takes place at the 2021 Women's Final Four in San Antonio.
"I love my job at ACU and I've enjoyed my 12-year journey as an assistant in college coaching," added Lambert. "Working for Coach Goodenough has helped to prepare me for my next step, whenever that opportunity presents itself."
The Women Coaches NEXT UP is a powerful new program to promote the advancement and retention of women's basketball coaches in intercollegiate athletics. In partnership with the WBCA, Women Coaches NEXT UP aims to connect up-and-coming assistant coaches with senior-level athletic administrators through an interactive and engaging half-day workshop.
Coaches participating in the event learn from and interact with the administrators who are making the hiring decision for their respective programs. Coaches will gain key insights and knowledge that will help them get noticed win, earn the job and build successful careers as a head coach.
"I am so very excited for Erika to have been selected for this prestigious program," said head coach Julie Goodenough. "As our associate head coach, she emulates our Christian culture in all areas of her life. She is an effective teacher for our players, while being an example of loyalty and consistency. I applaud the extensive role she plays in helping to impact the lives of our players both on and off the court."
Lambert wrapped her fifth season as the associate head coach, and has a decade's worth of experience coaching at the collegiate level, nine of which have been with NCAA DI programs. Her responsibilities with the Wildcats include coordinating all recruiting efforts, oversee post player development, and lead the program's alumni relations and community outreach efforts.
Goodenough and Lambert previously worked together during the 2011-12 season at Charleston Southern University. That year's team won 17 games and qualified for its second postseason appearance at the Women's Basketball Invitational in three years. After Goodenough departed for Abilene Christian, Lambert stayed on board for one additional year at Charleston Southern as an assistant to head coach Fred Applin. Lambert took over the development of the team's post players during this season and helped former Wildcat graduate assistant coach Lakeitha Alston earn All-Big South honors behind 16.6 points per game.
Lambert is an active member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and The Alliance of Women Coaches. She also co-facilitates Moms In Coaching, which is a group dedicated to supporting mothers in college basketball coaching at all levels. Moms In Coaching is officially recognized by the WBCA.
Her success at ACU is well documented; the program has experienced four 20+ win seasons in her five years, including the 2019 Southland Tournament championship and a 16-4 record in 2019-20 in conference play to finish tied for second in the league.
"I was so honored to be selected for this program," said Lambert. "Women Leaders is a trailblazing professional organization that has been around for more than 40 years. It is a collaboration of many bright minds in the business. I'm grateful to Alicia English (Assistant AD at Kennesaw St. University) for the nomination. I can't wait to participate next year. I look forward to connecting with athletics administrators who are leading their departments with excellence."
Speaking of participating next year: due to COVID-19, this year's program was canceled in New Orleans. This year's participants are accepted into next year's program, which takes place at the 2021 Women's Final Four in San Antonio.
"I love my job at ACU and I've enjoyed my 12-year journey as an assistant in college coaching," added Lambert. "Working for Coach Goodenough has helped to prepare me for my next step, whenever that opportunity presents itself."
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