THE BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION OF TENNESSEE, AS ONE UNIFIED VOICE, STRIVES TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE GREAT GAME OF BASKETBALL THROUGHOUT THE VOLUNTEER STATE.
The idea of forming the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee, or BCAT, was conceived by several coaches throughout the state. 20 or so coaches met at Diamond Oaks Golf Course in Trenton, TN in the spring of 2007 to enjoy a round of golf, fellowship with one another, and discuss several issues that were of grave concern regarding new rules and regulations that were adopted by our governing body, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. After much discussion, the coaches present decided it was in the best interest of the game in our state that a state coaches association be formed. Bruce Slatten from Culleoka, Jerrod Shelton from Crockett Co., Bobby Luna from Gallatin, Tim Halford from Portland, and Darrell Rufner from Midway began the endeavor of organizing an association.
A membership drive took place and the first annual BCAT Coaches Clinic was held at the Hotel Preston in Nashville, TN. The clinic was a huge success with over 250 coaches in attendance. Bruce Pearl (UT), Pat Head Summitt (UT), Kermit Davis (MTSU), Mike Sutton (TN TECH), Darrin Horn (WKU), John Shulman (UTC), Rick Byrd (Belmont), Scott Sanderson (Lipscomb), Rick Insell (MTSU), Jason Shelton (Freed-Hardeman), Jason Shay (UT) and D-I Sports Training all donated their time to speak at our clinic because they understood the importance of coaches forming an association to protect and promote the great game of basketball. At the clinic, the coaches in attendance that had joined BCAT decided it was in the best interest of the association that the five founding members serve as administrators overseeing the growth of the association.
A nine member Legislative Body was also appointed with representatives from the eight regions across the state and one representative from Division II schools. Although BCAT is in its early development many coaches believe that by forming an association coaches now have a voice in which to lobby their ideas with the TSSAA. BCAT’s goal is to represent all basketball coaches as one unified voice throughout the state of Tennessee. BCAT also strives to promote professionalism within the coaching fraternity and to provide a way of networking within its ranks.