Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Kuwik Selected to Participate in Prestigious TopConnect Seminar
6/9/2020 1:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Davidson assistant coach Kevin Kuwik has been selected to participate in the prestigious 2020 TopConnect Virtual Seminar taking place on June 11 and 12.
TopConnect (formerly Villa 7) originated in 2003 by then-VCU Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander, identifies the top basketball assistant coaches in the country and connects them with mid-major Athletic Directors providing tremendous networking opportunities for both parties.
"This is a great honor and I want to say thanks to Dr. Sander and his TopConnect team for the opportunity to participate," Kuwik said. "This wouldn't be possible without Coach McKillop, our staff, and our players - we have a special thing here at Davidson and it is truly an honor and privilege for me and my family to be a part of this program. In these challenging times, Coach has challenged each and every player and coach to continue to get better as we prepare for the upcoming season, and I look forward to using this opportunity to do so."
TopConnect also develops programming that allows these top assistant coaches to hear from a wide variety of successful leaders. Prominent head coaches, panels of mid-major Athletic Directors, major media and sport influencers, the inner circle of college basketball and extremely successful business leaders share their leadership experiences. The three-word mantra of "Connect. Prepare. Lead." identifies the purpose of TopConnect.
"Kevin Kuwik is very prepared and clearly ready to be a head coach," commented Davidson head coach Bob McKillop. "He's a leader and a teacher. He knows basketball, and in the process of teaching, he's consistently detailed. He ties this all together by always showing his very genuine sense of care for all of our players."
This year's presenters include National Coach of the Year Anthony Grant (Dayton), National Mid-Major Coach of the Year Steve Forbes (ETSU, now Wake Forest), Hall of Fame Coach Muffet McGraw (Notre Dame), Hall of Fame Coach and current Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer (Tennessee) and three-time NFL Coach of the Year, Mike Smith. Additionally, three panels of ADs will discuss what they look for in hiring a coach, expectations of the head coach and building a successful basketball program.
Other areas covered will be the search process moderated by Dan Walters (Buffkin/Baker) and Jeff Schemmel (College Sports Solutions), the media perspective including ESPN's Seth Greenberg and Debbie Antonelli, as well as Stadium Basketball Insider's, Jeff Goodman. Also presenting is ETSU's Chair of the Department of Media and Communications, Dr. Stephen Marshall, who will share his expertise in using social media to build a personal brand.
Since the inception of Villa 7 (now TopConnect), the program has spawned numerous Division I head coaches including Anthony Grant (Dayton), Buzz Williams (Texas A&M), Shaka Smart (Texas), Steve Forbes (Wake Forest), Rodney Terry (UTEP), John Groce (Akron), Kevin Keatts (NC State) and recently Greg Gary (Mercer), Brett Nelson (Holy Cross) and Bryan Mullins (Southern Illinois).
TopConnect works in conjunction with East Tennessee State University's Doctoral program in Global Sport Leadership. Van Wagner, Fast Model Sports, ARMS Software and Daktronics continue to support TopConnect.
Kuwik Bio
Kevin Kuwik is in his fourth season on the Davidson men's basketball staff.
An integral part in the Wildcats' run to their first-ever Atlantic 10 Tournament crown in 2018 and program's 14th NCAA Tournament appearance, Kuwik joined the Davidson men's basketball staff prior to the 2017-18 season as the Director of Operations. In his first three seasons on staff, the Wildcats have posted a 61-36 overall mark, 37-17 league record and two postseason berths.
Before joining Bob McKillop's staff, Kuwik spent six years at the University of Dayton, where he was an assistant coach. While in Dayton, Kuwik helped the Flyers to a 139-65 overall record, 68-31 conference mark and five postseason appearances (4 – NCAA, 1 – NIT), including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2014.
In addition, he holds 20 years of collegiate coaching and administrative experience, which included brief stints at Ohio State (video coordinator) and one season as the Director of Operations at Butler under Brad Stevens, who is now the head coach of the Boston Celtics.
While at Ohio State, Kuwik was responsible for opponent scouting as the Buckeyes achieved a 63-11 overall record, Big Ten regular season and tournament championships both years, and a pair of Sweet 16 appearances.
Before Butler, Kuwik was a full-time assistant at Ohio University from 2001-08, taking an 18-month leave of absence during 2004-05 to serve with the 113th Engineer Battalion of the Indiana National Guard in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He used leave time to return to the Bobcat bench and help OU win the 2005 Mid-American Conference tournament championship and reach the NCAA's. During his time in Athens, the Bobcats were 120-95 with two postseason appearances.
Kuwik began his coaching career in 1998 at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn. In his two seasons there, the Buccaneers improved from 3-22 to 12-14. He then went to Saint Michael's College just outside Burlington, Vermont. He helped the Purple Knights to the best season in school history, finishing with a 27-4 record and the No. 3 ranking in the year's final NCAA Division II poll.
A native of Lackawanna, New York, Kuwik attended the University of Notre Dame, where he served as a student assistant under former NBA coach John MacLeod for three seasons. Kuwik graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1996. In his final year in South Bend he was Senior Class President.
Kuwik was also a Distinguished Military Graduate in Notre Dame's Army ROTC program. He was able to serve 10 years in the military as he began his coaching career. While serving in Iraq, he earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service (the Army's highest merit award). He received an honorable discharge from the military in 2006.
TopConnect (formerly Villa 7) originated in 2003 by then-VCU Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander, identifies the top basketball assistant coaches in the country and connects them with mid-major Athletic Directors providing tremendous networking opportunities for both parties.
"This is a great honor and I want to say thanks to Dr. Sander and his TopConnect team for the opportunity to participate," Kuwik said. "This wouldn't be possible without Coach McKillop, our staff, and our players - we have a special thing here at Davidson and it is truly an honor and privilege for me and my family to be a part of this program. In these challenging times, Coach has challenged each and every player and coach to continue to get better as we prepare for the upcoming season, and I look forward to using this opportunity to do so."
TopConnect also develops programming that allows these top assistant coaches to hear from a wide variety of successful leaders. Prominent head coaches, panels of mid-major Athletic Directors, major media and sport influencers, the inner circle of college basketball and extremely successful business leaders share their leadership experiences. The three-word mantra of "Connect. Prepare. Lead." identifies the purpose of TopConnect.
"Kevin Kuwik is very prepared and clearly ready to be a head coach," commented Davidson head coach Bob McKillop. "He's a leader and a teacher. He knows basketball, and in the process of teaching, he's consistently detailed. He ties this all together by always showing his very genuine sense of care for all of our players."
This year's presenters include National Coach of the Year Anthony Grant (Dayton), National Mid-Major Coach of the Year Steve Forbes (ETSU, now Wake Forest), Hall of Fame Coach Muffet McGraw (Notre Dame), Hall of Fame Coach and current Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer (Tennessee) and three-time NFL Coach of the Year, Mike Smith. Additionally, three panels of ADs will discuss what they look for in hiring a coach, expectations of the head coach and building a successful basketball program.
Other areas covered will be the search process moderated by Dan Walters (Buffkin/Baker) and Jeff Schemmel (College Sports Solutions), the media perspective including ESPN's Seth Greenberg and Debbie Antonelli, as well as Stadium Basketball Insider's, Jeff Goodman. Also presenting is ETSU's Chair of the Department of Media and Communications, Dr. Stephen Marshall, who will share his expertise in using social media to build a personal brand.
Since the inception of Villa 7 (now TopConnect), the program has spawned numerous Division I head coaches including Anthony Grant (Dayton), Buzz Williams (Texas A&M), Shaka Smart (Texas), Steve Forbes (Wake Forest), Rodney Terry (UTEP), John Groce (Akron), Kevin Keatts (NC State) and recently Greg Gary (Mercer), Brett Nelson (Holy Cross) and Bryan Mullins (Southern Illinois).
TopConnect works in conjunction with East Tennessee State University's Doctoral program in Global Sport Leadership. Van Wagner, Fast Model Sports, ARMS Software and Daktronics continue to support TopConnect.
Kuwik Bio
Kevin Kuwik is in his fourth season on the Davidson men's basketball staff.
An integral part in the Wildcats' run to their first-ever Atlantic 10 Tournament crown in 2018 and program's 14th NCAA Tournament appearance, Kuwik joined the Davidson men's basketball staff prior to the 2017-18 season as the Director of Operations. In his first three seasons on staff, the Wildcats have posted a 61-36 overall mark, 37-17 league record and two postseason berths.
Before joining Bob McKillop's staff, Kuwik spent six years at the University of Dayton, where he was an assistant coach. While in Dayton, Kuwik helped the Flyers to a 139-65 overall record, 68-31 conference mark and five postseason appearances (4 – NCAA, 1 – NIT), including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2014.
In addition, he holds 20 years of collegiate coaching and administrative experience, which included brief stints at Ohio State (video coordinator) and one season as the Director of Operations at Butler under Brad Stevens, who is now the head coach of the Boston Celtics.
While at Ohio State, Kuwik was responsible for opponent scouting as the Buckeyes achieved a 63-11 overall record, Big Ten regular season and tournament championships both years, and a pair of Sweet 16 appearances.
Before Butler, Kuwik was a full-time assistant at Ohio University from 2001-08, taking an 18-month leave of absence during 2004-05 to serve with the 113th Engineer Battalion of the Indiana National Guard in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He used leave time to return to the Bobcat bench and help OU win the 2005 Mid-American Conference tournament championship and reach the NCAA's. During his time in Athens, the Bobcats were 120-95 with two postseason appearances.
Kuwik began his coaching career in 1998 at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn. In his two seasons there, the Buccaneers improved from 3-22 to 12-14. He then went to Saint Michael's College just outside Burlington, Vermont. He helped the Purple Knights to the best season in school history, finishing with a 27-4 record and the No. 3 ranking in the year's final NCAA Division II poll.
A native of Lackawanna, New York, Kuwik attended the University of Notre Dame, where he served as a student assistant under former NBA coach John MacLeod for three seasons. Kuwik graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1996. In his final year in South Bend he was Senior Class President.
Kuwik was also a Distinguished Military Graduate in Notre Dame's Army ROTC program. He was able to serve 10 years in the military as he began his coaching career. While serving in Iraq, he earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service (the Army's highest merit award). He received an honorable discharge from the military in 2006.
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