General | 11/22/2025 2:06:00 PM

Indianapolis, Indiana – In a collaboration between the NCAA and WeCOACH, Head Softball Coach, Julie Pratt, and Assistant Track & Field Coach, Jillian Roberts, were selected to participate in the 55thd class of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy.
 
The multi-day transformational experience, hosted at the NCAA Headquarters, focused on leadership development and personal growth for women coaches from all sports and collegiate levels, including both two-year and four-year institutions.
 
"The opportunity was amazing, being in Indianapolis and at the NCAA was a full circle moment for me." Pratt adds, "I started my head coaching career just next door at Indiana University of Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI)."
 
For Roberts, "Being selected for the 55th class of the WeCOACH NCAA WCA was a rewarding experience that deepened my professional knowledge and personal growth as a coach."
 
The tandem represented the Crimson and Gold among six other North Coast Athletic Conference coaches, hailing from Denison, DePauw, and Kenyon. In total, WCA Class 55 features 78 women coaches representing 18 different sports, and 679 total years of coaching experience. Participants come from a diverse collection of institutions across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, as well as the NAIA and NJCAA.
 
"It was an empowering opportunity to be among 78 other women coaches from a variety of sports and divisions as we heard from some living legends through conversations and different presentations." Said Coach Roberts.
 
"I am a lifelong learner, and this experience has opened my eyes to things I am still learning. This may be the best organization I have been a part of; women building up other women coaches is priceless."
 
"We entered the room as strangers and left feeling energized as a stronger community and network, excited to support each other as we navigate our coaching careers." Roberts added, "It was unlike any other professional development experience I've been involved with. I would definitely recommend all women coaches to participate in the NCAA Women Coaches Academy!"
 
Since its inception, more than 2,400 coaches have graduated from the NCAA WCA.
 
While Coach Pratt has more than three months before softball begins, Coach Roberts takes her team to Case Western Reserve for the indoor track & field season opener. The Spartan Alumni Holiday Class is set for Saturday, December 6
 
Keep up with the Crimson and Gold on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and watch every home game on the Oberlin Sports Network online or on Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV.