Potter Selected for USTFCCCA Mentorship Program

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – Emmanuel College Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach Reava Potter has been selected to be a part of the 2020-21 Female Coaching Mentorship Program (FCMP) sponsored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), it was announced on Tuesday, August 25.

The program started in 2018 by a trio of accomplished female coaches, Rhonda Riley, Angelina Ramos and Janine Kuestner. The program was designed to increase the representation, depth of knowledge and advancement of female coaches in the field of cross country and track & field coaching at every level, as well as create accessibility within the industry.

The program aims to support climate change within the sport as well as provide a depth of female coaching experience through pairing individuals year-round with a 1:1 mentorship connection with a senior coach, adhering to set guidelines for successful consultations with esteemed leaders of the sport from a variety of backgrounds.

"I'm truly excited about having an opportunity to be a part of an amazing program," said Coach Potter. "I'm blessed to help mentor and lead the way for women in our sport."

A record number of female coaches applied to be mentors and mentees for the 2020-21 year of the Female Coaching Mentorship Program which is set to begin its third year this fall.

"We are excited about the growth of this program," said Riley, who recently began her fifth year at Duke University and was recently promoted to interim Head Coach of the men's and women's cross country teams in July.

"We went from 30 pairs to more than 100 women being connected. It is our hopes that more women will continue to feel empowered and continue to invest in growing this profession."

Since joining the staff at Emmanuel, Potter has coached the Saints Women's Cross Country squad to the 2018 GNAC Championship and the Women's Indoor Track & Field team to the inaugural GNAC Championship in 2020. She has coached a total of eight GNAC All-Conference runners in Cross Country while the entire squad was recognized by the USTFCCCA in both 2018 and 2019, earning the National Team Academic Award for both the men and women. Potter was named the 2020 GNAC Indoor Track & Field Women's Coach of the Year following the Championship campaign.