MOBILE, Ala. - Stefan King, current graduate assistant for the University of Mobile Men's Basketball program, has been selected as a participant in the next class for TopConnect Graduate Assistant Leadership Academy (GALA). TopConnect GALA, conceptualized and managed by Stanford University Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Rob Ehsan, is an eight-week program focused on leadership and professional development. Basketball coaches, athletic directors and other successful leaders will share their industry related wisdom in Zoom sessions, while Coach Ehsan will work with participants in various areas of career development. Attendees will benefit from networking and professional development opportunities designed for them to succeed at their current roles and obtain the next job.
TopConnect founder, Dr. Richard Sander's thoughts on TopConnect GALA:
"As TopConnect continues to build on its mission to help prepare the next generation of leadership in college athletics, GALA fits perfectly into the TopConnect mantra of Connect. Prepare. Lead. When Coach Ehsan came to me with this idea, I felt it was the perfect next step in our quest to help prepare leaders in college basketball. After I viewed the total program, I was 100% committed to work with Rob to implement this exciting new opportunity. For TopConnect this is one of many new and exciting programs launched in 2021. If you are a basketball graduate assistant and serious about a career in coaching basketball, I would jump on this opportunity as quickly as possible."
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Stanford, Rob Ehsan:
"I am very excited to partner with TopConnect to produce TopConnect GALA. We are providing a unique leadership development and networking opportunity to basketball graduate assistants throughout the country. It is my honor to be able to guide this group of young leaders who aspire to be coaches. I am grateful for the support and enthusiasm of Doc Sander and the whole TopConnect organization. The GALA program will continue to support their mission to Connect. Prepare. Lead. the next generation of leaders within college athletics."
TopConnect continues to pave the way in development of the next generation of leaders in college athletics. Since its inception in 2018, seventeen attendees have been hired as Athletic Director, Head Men's Basketball Coach or Head Women's Basketball Coach.
Stefan King will be entering his third season as graduate assistant under Head Men's Basketball Coach Darnell Archey during the 2021-2022 season that is expected to start in mid to late October of 2021. The University of Mobile Athletic Department congratulates Stefan on being selected for the next class of the TopConnect Gala.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
