On April 3, Soldiers To Sidelines (STS) arrived in Indianapolis for its fifth Final Four Networking and Workshop experience, continuing a powerful tradition of connection, education, and opportunity for the military community in basketball.
This year’s schedule featured an exciting social hosted by Made Hoops at The Exchange Bar, followed by our signature Coaches Workshop at the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Convention, a cornerstone experience that continues to grow alongside the organization’s expanding footprint in the game.
What once began as a small gathering has grown into a major presence. In 2022, just three Soldier Coaches attended the Final Four experience. This year in Indianapolis, thanks to the continued growth of Soldiers To Sidelines and our consistent investment in basketball, we welcomed a record number of Soldier Coaches.
The milestone reflects not only the momentum of STS, but also the increasing impact of our mission to equip service members, veterans, and military spouses with the network and tools needed to thrive in coaching.
The Final Four Coaches Workshop remains one of the most valuable touchpoints of the weekend. The session is designed to connect Soldier Coaches directly with college coaches, offering candid perspective on the path to college coaching, the many roles that exist within a basketball staff, what head coaches are looking for when building their teams, and the current trends and key topics shaping today’s game.
This year’s panel brought together an outstanding group of leaders from across college basketball, including Ryan Pannone, Head Coach at Arkansas State, Rob Jones, Head Coach at Norfolk State, Kam Street, Special Assistant at Bradley University, and Todd Simon, Head Coach at Bowling Green University.
The conversation gave Soldier Coaches direct access to the insights, expectations, and experiences that define success at the next level.
Beyond the featured panel, several notable college coaches joined the workshop to engage directly with our Soldier Coaches, further deepening the networking and mentorship opportunities available throughout the event.
Attendees included Adam Hood (UCF), Steve Smith (formerly Boston College), Zack Boisvert (St. Louis), John Pigatti (South Suburban College), and Alex Nixon (Temple College).
Their willingness to invest time, share perspective, and build relationships made the workshop experience even more impactful.
This year’s workshop adds to an already impressive legacy of coaches who have poured
into STS Soldier Coaches over the past three Final Four experiences.
Previous workshop contributors over the past three years include Brandon Chambers, Head Coach at UTRGV, Billy Donlon, Head Coach at Eastern Michigan, Dustin Kerns, Head Coach at Appalachian State, James Jones, Head Coach at Yale University, Ed Schilling Jr., former Head Coach at Pepperdine, and Pat Skerry, Head Coach at Towson University.
Each year, the Final Four platform continues to create meaningful opportunities for learning, mentorship, and long-term career growth.
As Soldiers To Sidelines continues to strengthen its presence in basketball, events like the Final Four Networking Event and Workshop serve as a reminder of what is possible when preparation meets access.
From three Soldier Coaches in 2022 to a record-setting group in Indianapolis this year, the momentum is undeniable.
We are grateful to every coach, panelist, and partner who helped make this year’s
experience possible, and we are even more excited for what’s ahead.
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