University of Minnesota swimmer Stacy Busack (Fergus Falls, Minn.) participated in the NCAA's Student-Athlete Development Coaches Forum, last week at the Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

The first year of this forum, just 45 student-athletes participated in the two-day event, May 27-28. The objective of the forum is to provide a three-phase coaching development opportunity to students interested in becoming coaches in the sport of bowling, soccer, swimming & diving or wrestling after graduating from college.

Last Wednesday, Busack arrived in Florida as the NCAA held a welcome dinner in which NCAA member Curtis Holloman spoke to the group. Thursday was the most extensive day in which the student-athletes were involved in the forum for 13-straight hours. In that time, Busack and the rest of the student-athletes learned all facets of coaching, including recruiting, fundraising, marketing, crisis management (Stacy's favorite topic) and the business side of the profession.

Along with their coaching information, University of Miami director of athletics Kirby Hocutt spoke to the group about what an athletics director looks for in a coach. Following the group meetings, they broke off with their respective coaches. Stacy met with St. Cloud State's head swimming coach Jeff Hegle and Evansville's head coach Rickey Perkins.

Busack finished her Gopher career at the 2009 NCAA Championships. She finished her Minnesota tenure as a 13-time All-American. As a senior, Busack led the Gophers with five All-America citations in the 100 free, the 200, 400 and 800 free relay and the 200 medley relay. A Big Ten champion in the 100 free and the 200 and 400 free relays, Busack was named one of the team's most valuable swimmers of 2008-09.

Stacy, the daughter of Dave and Julie Busack, will earn her bachelor's degree in kinesiology this summer. After high school, Busack wanted to go into the coaching profession or nursing and when she got Minnesota, realized that coaching was her true passion. She will serve as the Gophers' volunteer assistant coach for the 2009-2010 season.

"The forum was a great experience not only because I learned about the business side of coaching, but it also provided opportunities for networking," Busack said. "I would definitely encourage anyone interested in coaching to attend this forum."