INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Nov. 20)- Head Saint Vincent men's and women's golf coach Samantha Firestone was selected to attend the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy in Indianapolis last weekend.

This was the 55th class selected by WeCoach for the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy. The event was held in Indianapolis on November 16-18.

According to the PAC's release, this event is hosted in collaboration with the NCAA, this impactful Academy offers a multi-day transformational experience focused on leadership development and personal growth for women coaches from all sports and collegiate levels, including both two-year and four-year institutions. Since its inception, more than 2,400 coaches have graduated from the NCAA WCA. 

"The NCAA Women Coaches Academy validated, inspired, and encouraged me to continue, unapologetically, progressing women in sports," Firestone said. "Women belong in sports as athletes, coaches, analysts, referees, and owners."

Firestone added that she had a very positive experience at the event.

"To be in a space that was devoted to bettering women in sports was uplifting," she added. "The Academy atmosphere was tremendously positive and welcoming. The speakers, sessions, and activities provided me with much to reflect on and consider as I grow with my coaching career."

One of the top players in the history of the Saint Vincent women's golf program, Firestone was named the Bearcats' head men's and women's golf coach in January 2020.

Firestone competed for four years on the women's golf team, serving as team captain three times, and was named the college's Female Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2016-17.

The Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, native was a four-time all-PAC selection, including three first-team nods in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2016-17. Firestone posted back-to-back top five finishes in the PAC Championships in 2015-16 and 2016-17, and won individual tournaments at the Thiel College Spring Invitational (2015-16), the Saint Vincent Fall Invite, the Penn State Altoona Fall Invite and the Saint Vincent Spring Invite (2016-17).

As the Saint Vincent coach, she led the women's team to a third-place finish in 2020-21 and had seven players (four women, three men) earn All-PAC accolades since she began leading the program. 

"We pride ourselves in women's leadership at Saint Vincent," Athletic Director D.P. Harris said. "Saint Vincent College has always had a history of providing our staff with opportunities and we are proud to keep that tradition going."