ATLANTA - Vermont women's basketball assistant coach Jon Silver has been recognized as one of the top young coaches in the nation by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Silver was named to the WBCA's inaugural list of Thirty Under 30 honorees.
 
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WBCA Release

The WBCA Thirty Under 30 special recognition program was created to honor 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches age 30 and under at all levels of the game. To be nominated by their peers, the nominee must demonstrate active community service involvement, provide mentorship and impact others, display a professional manner and attitude and have some type of professional association involvement.
 
"I'm honored to be recognized by the WBCA for this honor and to be among so many young, talented coaches," said Silver. "It's an amazing responsibility we have to positively impact student-athletes on a daily basis. I have been fortunate to work with great coaches and players at UCLA, LSU and Vermont and look forward to many more years of helping student-athletes reach their potential on the court, in the classroom and beyond."
 
Silver just completed his first season at the University of Vermont after spending four seasons on staff at LSU. As a member of the 2015-16 coaching staff, Silver assisted in nearly doubling the team's win total from the previous season. Throughout his community involvement, Silver also volunteered at Little Fenway for the Strike Three Foundation.

"Coach Jon was able to have an immediate impact with the team and advancing the individual talent this year," said senior guar Kylie Atwood. "He brought new drills and an insightful perspective of the game that we all appreciated. He was always so positive and created a fun environment that motivated us to work hard every day. Through his charachter he represented a role model to follow."
 
Silver was involved with all facets of the LSU women's basketball program as director of basketball operations while in Baton Rouge. His four years were highlighted by four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including back-to-back Sweet 16 runs in 2013 and 2014. During Silver's tenure, the Lady Tigers sent three players to the WNBA and 10 players overseas to compete professionally.
 
The Lady Tigers were also active in the community due in large part to Silver's efforts. In 2013-2014, the Lady Tigers led all LSU athletic teams on campus with an average of 23 community service hours per player. The program remains active in many community service initiatives and works with many groups such as the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, United Way, Charlie's Place, Healing Place, the Gardere Arts Initiative, Woman's Hospital, Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital and more.
 
Silver graduated from UCLA in 2009 with degrees in history and political Science and Phi Beta Kappa honors. As an undergraduate, he spent three seasons as a practice player for UCLA, including one season as head manager and scout team captain.
 
"The WBCA has created a new program to recognize up and coming talent in our coaching family. The 30 coaches who have been named Thirty Under 30 are deserving of this recognition, and the WBCA congratulates them for distinguishing themselves early in their careers," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "These coaches have demonstrated eagerness, effectiveness, loyalty, love of the game, and a commitment to the student-athlete.  We celebrate their effort on the basketball court as teachers and equally applaud the extensive role they play in impacting the lives of their student-athletes."
 
Inaugural WBCA Thirty Under 30 Honorees:
Mackenzie Argens, California Poly State
Amy Beggin, New Mexico
Gayle Coats, Wake Forest
Melissa D'Amico, Yale
Courtney Davidson, Radford
Maisie Elston, Birmingham Southern
David Foley, Luther
Alysa Horn, Alaska-Anchorage
Aarika Hughes, New Mexico State
Ashley Hutchcraft-Nance, Conway High School
Jessie Ivey, West Florida
Misha Jackson, Emory
Vanessa Keeler-Johnson, Minnesota State-Moorhead
Kelsey Keizer, Southwest Baptist
Jessica Keller, Columbia College (Missouri)
Crystal Kelly, Bellarmine
Kate Lynch, Southern Connecticut State
Joy McCorvey, Michigan
Tamela McCorvey, Northwest Florida State
Katherine Menendez, Colgate
Sahar Nusseibeh, Bowling Green
Kari Pickens, Ashland
Alex Richey, Oglethorpe
Jon Silver, Vermont
Joseph Silvestri, Central Florida
Stephanie Stevens, Gallaudet
Kyron Stokes, Oral Roberts
Adam Tandez, Truman State
Lynsey Warren, Ohio Dominican
Ana Wurtz, Winona State