JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – After make back-to-back runs in the National Collegiate Athletic Association postseason tournament and reaching the NCAA Championship game in the 2024-25 campaign, Cal State Dominguez Hills men's basketball head coach
Steve Becker was selected to participate in the 2026 TopConnect Basketball Symposium that took place on June 8, on the campus of University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Presented by Just Play Sports Solutions, Becker was just one of two Division 2 coaches selected, joining colleague Justin Downer from Point Loma University.
The invitation-only event brought together 50 rising leaders in collegiate basketball for a unique professional development and networking experience. Through educational sessions, leadership presentations, and TopConnect's signature speed dating, participants will engage directly with athletic directors, conference commissioners, search firm executives, and industry leaders from across the country.
"TopConnect continues to serve as one of the premier opportunities in college athletics for coaches and administrators to connect, prepare, and lead professionally," said TopConnect Director Dr. Richard Sander. "This year's coaching cohort represents some of the brightest leaders in our game, and we are excited to provide an environment that fosters relationship-building, mentorship, and career development."
Now in its ninth year, the TopConnect Basketball Symposium has become one of the most respected leadership development opportunities in college athletics. Since its inception, TopConnect has connected hundreds of coaches and athletics administrators, helping facilitate professional advancement opportunities while strengthening the leadership pipeline throughout intercollegiate athletics.
The 2026 symposium featured programming focused on leadership development, the hiring process, navigating the first 90 days in a new role, fundraising strategies, and insights from executive search firm leaders. Participants also gained practical knowledge and expanded their professional networks through meaningful interactions with decision-makers from across the collegiate athletics landscape.
The symposium was made possible through the support of title sponsor Just Play Sports Solutions, along with corporate partners Spiideo, Catapult, and Van Wagner.
2026 TopConnect Basketball Symposium Coach Participants
Men's Basketball
Manny Adako, Lehigh
Brandon Bailey, DePaul
Steve Becker, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Pat Blake, Georgia
Jon Borovich, Michigan State
Matt Bucklin, Vanderbilt
Kyle Church, Michigan
Matt Cline, Missouri
Kevin Devitt, UIC
Justin Downer, Point Loma
Brandon Dunson, BYU
Josh Eilert, Wichita State
Andy Farrell, Vanderbilt
Michael Fly, Florida State
Peter Funk, Evansville
Anthony Goins, NC State
Ricardo Greer, Pittsburgh
Desmond Haymon, Tulsa
Ricky Johns, St. John's
Coby Karl
Aaron Katsuma, Minnesota
Branden McDonald, Bucknell
Jonathan Mitchell, Appalachian State
Pat Monaghan, Nebraska
Amorrow Morgan, Tennessee
Jay Morris, SMU
Brendan Mullins, Belmont
Dwaine Osborne, Youngstown State
Mike Quinn, Boston University
Terrence Rencher, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Brandon Rosenthal, UC Santa Barbara
Nate Schmidt, Iowa State
Ryan Schneider, Vermont
Will Voigt, BYU
Pat Wallace, Iona
Anthony Wilkins, UNLV
Jake Williams, Tarleton State
Drew Williamson, Michigan
Trey Zeigler, Creighton
Women's Basketball
Steven Asher, Butler
Kait Cresencia, Lehigh
Erik DeRoo, Texas Tech
Eric Gracia, ETSU
Kaity Healy, St. John's
John McCray, UIC
Chantel Osahor, Gonzaga
Eryc Pittman, South Alabama
Alison Seberger, Kent State
Jeremy Thompson, Fairleigh Dickinson
Participants were identified through recommendations from athletic directors, head coaches, search firms, and other leaders throughout intercollegiate athletics.
About TopConnect
TopConnect is a professional development and networking organization dedicated to connecting aspiring and established leaders throughout intercollegiate athletics. Through its annual symposiums, TopConnect creates opportunities for coaches and administrators to build meaningful relationships, expand professional networks, and prepare for leadership opportunities within college athletics.
The three-word mantra of "Connect. Prepare. Lead." identifies the purpose of TopConnect. Since the inception of TopConnect in 2018, more than 100 assistant coaches and senior level
administrators participants have been promoted to the next chair of Head Coach and Athletic Director as well as a Conference Commissioner.
