Country Roads: Ayana Dunning
June 29, 2018 04:46 PM | Women's Basketball
One year ago, former women's basketball standout Ayana "YaYa" Dunning had her five-year plan nearly set in stone. With her sights set on an executive job in professional sports, Dunning gave up her position as the Director of Basketball Operations at the College of Charleston to enroll as a full-time graduate student in an online master's program. She concluded that the best way for her to accomplish her dream of working in professional sports would be to focus solely on academics.
At least that was the plan until West Virginia University women's basketball coach Mike Carey learned that Dunning was available for hire.
Having coached Dunning for three seasons, Carey was familiar with her career aspirations and wanted to give her the opportunity to work for his team while still working toward her career goals. In the summer of 2017, Dunning was hired as the Coordinator of Player Development for the WVU women's basketball team.
"He offered that to me and I jumped at the chance," said Dunning, who is now the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations. "I had such an amazing experience when I played here, of course I want to come back and help girls be able to have that same great experience that I had."
Before getting the call from her former coach, the Columbus, Ohio, native hadn't put much thought into returning to her alma mater as a member of the basketball staff. In fact, she hadn't thought about anything but earning her master's degree in order to make it as an executive in professional sports.
"My master's was always the plan, but when Coach Carey called, it just seemed like fate," Dunning said. "It allowed me to work on my master's and continue in the workforce, which is something that a lot of my classmates aren't able to do."
Since her return to WVU, Dunning says that what she loved most about the university and the basketball program as a student still hold strong five years later. The basketball team is surrounded by a supportive and caring staff who care about the girls' well-being on and off the court, helping them grow into successful young women.
"I think that's what drew me back and I think that's what's drawn so many people to come back and work for Coach Carey year after year," said Dunning of the coaching staff.
In addition to her duties with the team, Dunning tried her hand at radio during the women's basketball team's 2017-18 season. As the color analyst beside play by play announcer Dan Zangrilli, she was able to see the game from a new perspective on the sidelines. She saw everything a bit differently wearing a radio headset and had the opportunity to break down each play even more than when she was a player.
Despite a new perspective of the game she loves so dearly, Dunning doubts she would return to the court given the opportunity. She's thankful for her time as a player, but now she's focused on her professional career and helping today's team have the same positive experience she had as a student-athlete. Working with the girls has been a fulfilling experience for Dunning because it gives her the chance to help mold them into successful young women.
"To be able to touch their lives the same way I felt my life was touched really means a lot."
At least that was the plan until West Virginia University women's basketball coach Mike Carey learned that Dunning was available for hire.
Having coached Dunning for three seasons, Carey was familiar with her career aspirations and wanted to give her the opportunity to work for his team while still working toward her career goals. In the summer of 2017, Dunning was hired as the Coordinator of Player Development for the WVU women's basketball team.
"He offered that to me and I jumped at the chance," said Dunning, who is now the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations. "I had such an amazing experience when I played here, of course I want to come back and help girls be able to have that same great experience that I had."
Before getting the call from her former coach, the Columbus, Ohio, native hadn't put much thought into returning to her alma mater as a member of the basketball staff. In fact, she hadn't thought about anything but earning her master's degree in order to make it as an executive in professional sports.
"My master's was always the plan, but when Coach Carey called, it just seemed like fate," Dunning said. "It allowed me to work on my master's and continue in the workforce, which is something that a lot of my classmates aren't able to do."
Since her return to WVU, Dunning says that what she loved most about the university and the basketball program as a student still hold strong five years later. The basketball team is surrounded by a supportive and caring staff who care about the girls' well-being on and off the court, helping them grow into successful young women.
"I think that's what drew me back and I think that's what's drawn so many people to come back and work for Coach Carey year after year," said Dunning of the coaching staff.
In addition to her duties with the team, Dunning tried her hand at radio during the women's basketball team's 2017-18 season. As the color analyst beside play by play announcer Dan Zangrilli, she was able to see the game from a new perspective on the sidelines. She saw everything a bit differently wearing a radio headset and had the opportunity to break down each play even more than when she was a player.
Despite a new perspective of the game she loves so dearly, Dunning doubts she would return to the court given the opportunity. She's thankful for her time as a player, but now she's focused on her professional career and helping today's team have the same positive experience she had as a student-athlete. Working with the girls has been a fulfilling experience for Dunning because it gives her the chance to help mold them into successful young women.
"To be able to touch their lives the same way I felt my life was touched really means a lot."
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