BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Janice Washington, women's basketball assistant coach, was one of 40 selected to participate in the 2014 WBCA Assistant Coaches Leadership Workshop held in Parris Island, S.C.

The workshop was held August 26-29 and was designed to teach assistant coaches Marine Corps small unit leadership, including tactics, techniques, and procedures.

"We watched how the drill instructors interacted with the recruits as far as the development of Marine skills," Washington reflected. "The biggest thing was to understand how they got these kids through the process, as well as learning how they developed their leaders and how seasoned their leaders are. It was probably about 60 percent activity and 40 percent watching the interaction and asking a lot of questions."

The workshop provided for unity of command and effort throughout the event. The assistant coaches observed small unit leadership and interacted with drill instructors, recruits, and supporting Marines.

"The biggest take away I had from this was just being so amazed at their graduation and retention rate," Washington continued. "We were honored to be able to watch a graduation there, and we watched almost 300 Marines graduate. For three months these kids had no outside communication, no cellphones, no internet. All they knew for three months were Marines."

Washington emphasized she was impressed with the motivation drill instructors and superiors gave the recruits on their time at boot camp.

"We were able to see them graduate knowing that they were completely and utterly focused," said Washington. "I remember the drill instructors having this mind set of 'failure is not an option.' Nearly every day I heard the drill instructors say 'We'll never give up on you, even after you've given up on yourself.'"

On what she learned to bring back to the Lady Camels, she was excited to be able to instill leadership in the team.

"I learned that in the Marines, everything is team," Washington continued. "Team is above and beyond everything else. We all need that person that's there to back us up and say 'hey, you're here for a reason. You can do this.' That was one of the biggest things. It's very heartfelt to know that you've got somebody that's got your back when you're struggling."

Washington is excited to see CU's players develop into leaders and support their teammates throughout the year.

"With having an entire team accountability, you develop leaders quicker," said Washington. "Because if you have people that are doing what they're supposed to do and meeting their standard day in and day out, then they're not allowed to sit back and relax. One of the biggest takeaways for me was that it's entire group accountability. So when one person isn't holding up to the standards the entire group suffers."

The assistant coach understands the importance of player leadership and accountability, not just encouragement and direction from the coaching staff.

Washington concluded, "A lot of times you need one of your peers to say 'we need you to step it up,' and a lot of times coming from peers it hits home a little bit more as compared to your coach."