NAIA Women's Division I Championship Sponsors
Sponsors will play an important role in the success of the 2012 and future tournaments.
Sponsorship opportunities include: Title sponsorship, transportation, Banquet of Champions, hospitality, special events, and Honorary Coaches. For more information on how to become a sponsor please contact the Frankfort Convention Center.
Official Sponsors
Tickets
Media Partners
Honorary Coaches
Conceived by Frank Hesselroth, Charlie Stevenson and Emil S. Liston, one of the founders of the NAIA tournament in 1937, the Honorary Coach Program ensures that all 32 teams advancing to the NAIA tournament leaves with a memorable experience, whether it wins the title or loses in the first round. The program also provides individuals and Frankfort Area businesses the opportunity to become actively involved with the NAIA tournament as a participant. A drawing is held to assign Honorary Coaches to each of the 32 teams participating in the national tournament.
When their team arrives for the tournament, the Honorary Coaches have the opportunity to meet the players and coaches, share a meal with them and will often help the team navigate their way around Frankfort and surrounding areas for entertainment and necessities. As the tournament draws closer, the Honorary Coaches sit with their team and are recognized during the annual Banquet of Champions. Honorary Coaches are also recognized during the Parade of Champions, held on the opening night of the tournament, when each Honorary Coach marches with his or her team onto center court.
Once the teams takes the court, the Honorary Coaches take their places on the team bench. Although they may have known the players for only a short time, the Honorary Coaches become their biggest fans, cheering them to victory or consoling them in defeat. To watch the wide range of emotions shown by the Honorary Coaches during the tournament illustrates the bond that quickly forms between them and the players.
The Honorary Coach Program has left a lasting impression on thousands of NAIA basketball players. In turn, many Honorary Coaches have formed friendships with NAIA players and coaches that last a lifetime. This tradition will start with the 2012 tournament in Frankfort.
2012 Honorary Coaches
McDonalds
AT&T
Frankfort Women Leading Change
Frankfort/ Franklin County Tourism
Mike Mangeot
