Head Cross Country and Assistant Track & Field Coach Samantha David Selected for Prestigious NCAA Women Coaches Academy (Class #56)

Head Cross Country and Assistant Track & Field Coach Samantha David has earned a significant professional honor, receiving an invitation to participate in the NCAA Women Coaches Academy Class #56—one of the premier leadership development programs for women in collegiate athletics. Hosted through a partnership between WeCOACH and the NCAA, the academy represents a national-level recognition of David's leadership, impact, and continued growth within the coaching profession.

The NCAA Women Coaches Academy (WCA) is a highly respected, multi-day program designed to empower and advance women coaches at all collegiate levels and across all sports. The Class #56 session will take place May 18–20, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, bringing together a diverse group of coaches from NCAA Divisions I, II, III, as well as NAIA and junior college institutions.

Participation in the academy is selective, with invitations extended to coaches who have demonstrated strong leadership potential and a commitment to both personal and program excellence. Being chosen for Class #56 places Coach David among an elite group of peers nationwide, underscoring her reputation as a rising leader in collegiate cross country.

The WCA is widely regarded as a transformational experience, focused on equipping coaches with advanced leadership tools and strategies that directly impact their effectiveness on and off the field. The curriculum emphasizes non-sport-specific development—such as communication, team culture, emotional intelligence, and professional resilience—while fostering an inclusive environment where coaches can learn from one another across sports and backgrounds. 

Since its inception in 2003, the NCAA Women Coaches Academy has produced thousands of graduates and has become a cornerstone initiative in the effort to recruit, retain, and advance women in the coaching profession. The program's long-term impact is evident, with data showing that participating coaches remain in the profession at higher rates and return to their institutions with renewed purpose and actionable leadership strategies.

For Samantha David, the invitation represents both a professional milestone and an opportunity to bring valuable knowledge back to her cross country and track & field programs. The insights gained in Denver will not only enhance her coaching philosophy and leadership approach but will also benefit the student-athletes she mentors, strengthening the overall culture and success of the program.

As Coach David prepares to join her peers at the NCAA Women Coaches Academy, her selection reflects both her achievements to date and her promising future in collegiate athletics. It also highlights the continued importance of investing in leadership development opportunities that empower women coaches and shape the future of sport.