PELLA—Central College assistant volleyball coach Nicole Murphy is among the 122 female coaches selected as the 56th class of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy set to take place May 17-20 in Denver, Colorado.

Hosted in collaboration with the NCAA, these academies offer multi-day transformational experiences focused on leadership development and personal growth for women coaches from all sports and collegiate levels, including both two-year and four-year institutions.  

In her first season at Central, Murphy helped Central to a fourth-place finish in the American Rivers Conference. The Dutch also won in the league tournament's quarterfinals, the program's first win in postseason play in nine years.

A highlight of this year's Academies will be the presentation of the 2025-26 Lifetime Achievement Awards, presented by Jostens, recognizing five outstanding women coaches for their enduring impact on the profession. Attendees will also gain insights and inspiration during a keynote conversation with the honorees.  

Since its inception, more than 2,500 coaches have graduated from the NCAA WCA. The program centers on holistic leadership development, providing women coaches with the skills, confidence, and community to elevate their effectiveness both personally and professionally. Academy 2.0, an advanced program exclusively for WCA alumnae, offers a deeper dive into leadership and professional growth in a highly interactive, small-group setting.