LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV track & field head coach Yvonne Wade and assistant coach Angelina Ramos were selected to participate in the United States Track & Field Cross Country Association's Female Coaching Mentorship Program.
 
The USTFCCCA's Female Coaching Mentorship Program, which was started in 2018 by Ramos, Rhonda Riley and Janine Kuestner, is designed to increase the representation, depth of knowledge and advancement of female coaches in the field of cross country and track & field coaching at every level. It is also intended to create accessibility within the industry.
 
Wade and Ramos are no strangers to the FCMP, as both have previously served as mentors. In addition to helping create the program, Ramos assists with its organization and operations.
 
"I am an advocate of mentorship programs, as they are an important way to get people connected, to learn and to network," said Wade. "I am glad to be able to share my experiences with other female coaches in our sport and keep more of us in the profession."
 
A record number of female coaches applied to be mentors and mentees in the FCMP. The program aims to support climate change as well as depth of female coaching experience through pairing individuals up with 1:1 year-round mentorship with a senior coach. The participants will adhere to set guidelines for successful consultations with leaders of the sport from a variety of backgrounds.
 
Earlier this year, Wade and Ramos as well as assistant coach Larry Wade helped the Scarlet & Gray finish first at the 2020 Mountain West Indoor Championships – the program's second title in three years. The Rebels were paced by six event victories and 24 top-eight finishes. Additionally, Wade was named the MW's Indoor Women's Coach of the Year for the third time in her career, and sprinter Cassondra Hall was tabbed the Female Outstanding Performer of the Meet after she won both the 60m and 200m and also ran a leg of the second-place 4x400m relay.