Jody Conradt, Former Texas Women's Basketball Coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Member, and Rob Wigod, Current CIF SS Commissioner Were the Keynote Speakers on Day Four of the MCAA California Coaches Conference at Concordia University.

MCAA Coaches Conference Photo Gallery One - Two

Jody Conradt was nurtured by the small, West Texas town values of Goldthwaite (pop. 1,345), where her childhood memories revolved around community, family, friends and sports. 

Her love was basketball. Her aspirations were to teach. Fortunately she resided in a state that prides itself on passion, opportunity and can-do attitude. Armed with those traits, a graceful, compassionate style, Texas-sharp wit and humor, and a desire to bring education and sport opportunities to young women, Conradt emerged as a visionary leader for women's college basketball and women's sports administration.

Educated at Baylor (B.S., M.S. in Physical Education), she first was a high school teacher and assistant girl's basketball coach under legendary Waco Midway school administrator M.T. Rice. Under Rice, Conradt learned the value of fundamentals. Later, North Carolina's Dean Smith and his Tar Heels' run-and-jump full-court press inspired her eventual coaching style on the hardwood.

Conradt's classroom eventually became a 16,000-seat arena at her beloved University of Texas after having served as coach at Sam Houston State (1969-73) and coach/women's athletics director at UT-Arlington (1973-76). In 38 years as a collegiate head coach, Conradt's players won 900 games. More important 99 percent of them graduated. Speak with her former student-athletes, and they agree on Conradt's life lessons: integrity and team goals above all, work on self-discipline and organization, embrace diversity and tolerance, commit to honest and effective communication, maintain presence, and exhibit class.

As only the second woman ever inducted into the Springfield, Massachusetts Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, Conradt is known as a pioneer, but also a durable, dynamic and ethical leader who gave credibility to her sport during 31 years as head coach with the Longhorns. Especially at Texas, Conradt showcased her female student-athletes, their speed and athleticism in a fast-breaking, run-and-shoot attack that lifted her players above the rim. With a full-out style that was unprecedented and unmatched during its time, Conradt led the 1985-86 Longhorns to a 34-0 record and national championship, the NCAA's first perfect season in the sport.

From 1992-2001, Conradt served UT in a dual role as Basketball Coach and Women's Athletics Director. She continues to serve the University as a special assistant to women's athletics.

Rob Wigod grew up in Long Beach, California and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School.  After high school, Rob matriculated to California State University, Long Beach graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History.  While at CSULB, Rob began coaching football at Wilson High School and realized he wanted to become an educator.  In 1983, he earned his Secondary Schools Teaching Credential and began teaching in the Long Beach Unified School District, first at Herbert Hoover Middle School for one year and then Lakewood Senior High School for 14 years.  At Lakewood High School, Rob taught U.S. Government, U.S. History and Criminal/Civil Law, while also coaching Varsity Football, Varsity Baseball and serving as Boys Athletic Director. 

In August, 1988, during the time he worked at Lakewood High School, Rob earned his Masters Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University.

After 15 years in the Long Beach Unified School District, Rob accepted the position of Head Baseball Coach and Boys Athletic Director at Los Alamitos High School, where he also taught U.S. Government.  In his two years there, the Griffins were Sunset League Baseball Champions both years and advanced to the C.I.F. Southern Section Baseball Playoffs, reaching the Quarterfinals and Semifinals.  Rob was selected as Orange County Baseball Coach of the Year by the Orange County Register and the L.A. Times, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team Coach of the Year and Sunset League Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2000.

In August, 2000, Rob became an Assistant Commissioner for the C.I.F. Southern Section, the organization that oversees all of the high school sports programs for over 575 public and private high schools throughout Southern California.  Rob served as an Assistant Commissioner for 11 years and his primary responsibilities were managing football, wrestling and baseball, while also working with student eligibility and sports officials.

On August 2, 2011, Rob became the Commissioner of Athletics for the C.I.F. Southern Section. Rob began teaching in the Concordia University Masters Degree Program in Coaching and Athletic Administration 6 years ago.  Rob was selected as the Teacher of the Year for the program for the 2009-2010 school year.  He currently teaches MCAA 510, Principles of Coaching and Leadership and MCAA 591, the Athletic Director Institute.  Rob has also taught MCAA 595, the Culminating Project, where he has served as a graduate advisor for over 50 students who have completed their Portfolios and earned their Masters Degrees.