Tabor’s Hoyt selected for prestigious coaching program

Head shot of Terran HoytTerran Hoyt, a senior basketball guard for Tabor College, has been chosen to participate in the 18th annual Women’s Basketball Coach Association (WBCA) “So You Want to Be a Coach” program.

Presented in partnership with WeCOACH, the WBCA’s “So You Want to Be a Coach” program assists female collegiate basketball players who are interested in pursuing a career in coaching women’s basketball.

The program provides participants with professional development and career advancement through education, skills enhancement, networking and exposure opportunities.  The program also increases awareness regarding the availability of talented female basketball players who want to coach.

“I am very thankful for the coaches who inspired me to apply for this program and pursue this profession,” Terran said. “I am really honored to represent Tabor and very excited to network with people who care about the same things I do.”

Details regarding this year’s recipients have yet to be released by the WBCA, but last year only 60 student-athletes were selected from all NCAA and NAIA divisions, including seven students from NAIA institutions.

Hoyt’s interest in coaching can be traced to her mom, Shelly Hoyt, who is a legendary Kansas high school basketball coach. Shelly Hoyt recently won her 500th game as a head coach. Her teams have won 11 sub-state championships and four state titles.

“It’s a big honor for Terran to be selected into this program,” Shelly Hoyt said. “There are so many elite athletes who want to go into the field of coaching. Terran is very blessed to receive this opportunity and Scott (Terran’s father) and I are very proud of her.”

One of Shelly Hoyt’s most impressive accomplishments came as head coach of Hoxie High School. Hoyt led Hoxie to 107 consecutive wins and won four Class 1A state titles between 2012 and 2016. Terran played for her mom and was part of those successful teams.

Terran Hoyt dribbling the ball during game.“The older I’ve gotten, the more I have appreciated being a coach’s kid, and the values my mom instilled through the sport of basketball,” Terran said. “My mom has been a tremendous role model for me in life and in coaching. I want to impact lives through basketball in the same way I have seen her impact so many players. I hope through coaching, to empower women, help student-athletes build confidence. and spread Jesus through the sport of basketball.”

Terran’s sister, Jacie Hoyt, is also a successful basketball coach. She currently serves as the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Jacie has also coached at Kansas State University and the University of Nevada.

“Even though Terran has been around the game her whole life, she has so much to learn, and this is a tremendous opportunity at this stage of beginning her career,” Shelly Hoyt said. “The women who run this program are a dedicated group who want to introduce female coaches to the importance of networking within the profession in addition to understanding what it takes to get a coaching position and the skills it takes to grow professionally.”

Terran’s current coach at Tabor, Shawn Reed, agrees that coaching will be a great profession for Terran.

Terran Hoyt sitting on bench“She is already a coach on the floor for us,” Reed said. “She sees the big picture, understands the game and is a great communicator. Couple those attributes with her competitive spirit and a willingness to mentor others and you have the foundational characteristics necessary to be a great coach. I have no doubt that Terran will be successful in this WBCA program and it will be an important first step on her career path.”

Asked how she learned about the “So You Want to Be a Coach Program,” Terran said: “I heard about it at the NCAA Final Four last year in Tampa. I asked Jacie about it and she was able to point me in the right direction and I filed the application materials.”

Terran is the first Tabor College player to be selected to the “So You Want to Be a Coach” program. She is the daughter of Shelly and Scott Hoyt of Eureka, Kan., and is majoring in Communications and Business Administration.