Careers of Buzz and Sharka were boosted by the "secret" Villa 7 conference

[T-Bone]

Just came across this:

In 2004, Villa 7 began as a forum where athletic directors could share ideas and meet with the country's elite assistant basketball coaches.

Approximately 20 athletic directors and 30 carefully selected assistant coaches attended the first meeting in Las Vegas. Each group recognized the benefit of the forum, and expressed interest in developing a multi-day symposium

I didn't realize that Buzz may have won the job here.  Other notables listed here: http://www.sportleadership.vcu.edu/villa7/success.html  Including Jeter, Anthony Grant, Chris Mack, Pastner, and Shaka Smart.

Cottingham and Broeker are attending, but I wouldn't read into that too much (of course someone will), considering the other AD's attending.
http://www.sportleadership.vcu.edu/villa7/index.html

Started here:  http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=966664

[HouWarrior]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/tournament/2011/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=6270629

Very Interesting read.
I never heard of the Villa 7...what a great way to afford asst coaches a shot at head coach slots

Buzz got his NO gig there....

...."Five years ago, New Orleans athletic director Jim Miller came to Villa 7 to meet specifically with Buzz Williams.

A month later, he hired him.

"They're really on the cutting edge of a lot of different things,'' Williams said. "I don't think there's any other movement that's based on helping you grow and having a vision once you become a head coach. There's nothing else like it.''....

Wow,...Buzz....just 5 years ago....you've come a long way, baby!

[rocky_warrior]

Just merged this since t-bone beat you to the punch on Villa 7 ten whole days ago.  Geesh, if you followed MUScoop more closely you wouldn't be so far behind the times.  We all knew about Villa 7 way before you

[HouWarrior]

Just merged this since t-bone beat you to the punch on Villa 7 ten whole days ago.  Geesh, if you followed MUScoop more closely you wouldn't be so far behind the times.  We all knew about Villa 7 way before you

I appreciate your merger effort. I admire all who knew, and apologize for missing any one post thread on MU Scoop.  lol I'll quit my day job to prevent its re-occurrence.

BTW, My post linked to a March 31 original story, newly posted today on ESPN...(which did not exist 10 days ago), and which had the Buzz quote, lacking in the original.. others here discovered Villa 7, ten days ago(although....its been around for 6 plus years---lol) .. I humbly added this, and together, our merged and shared knowledege is more complete..lol

seriously--you mods do a vigilant, great job, and are sincerely appreciated, by me. Thanks to all of y'all

[T-Bone]

Dredging this topic up again (no idea why it says Sharka in the original title). 

Villa 7 had been hosted by VCU, now looks like by Minnesota.
http://villa-7.com/index.html

Back in 2011, it looked like Cottingham and Broeker attended (no idea if they've been there since - Broeker in particular).  The VCU web page is dead in my post from 3 years ago.

Does anyone know if this is still active?  Warrior-Ram, I'm looking at you?  The new website seems a little dead.  Ironically it has pictures of Shaka and Buzz as their poster children.

Curious if it is still active, and who has attended lately.

[Jay Bee]

It's not secret. Still exists. Minneapolis last year. Brain child of Mike Ellis, Asst AD at Minnesota.

PS- any attorneys in Virginia here? I may want to utilize your assistance. 

[Pakuni]

So secret it has its own website.

[Litehouse]

I always thought it was started by Norwood Teague.  Was Ellis working for Teague at VCU when it started?

[T-Bone]

Right, right.  I believe one of the articles originally posted referred to it as being a "secret" in some way that really isn't clear. 
I know it is well known now, back in 2009-2011 it wasn't that well known to most people.

Mike Ellis was at VCU and brought it to MN.
(http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/19896680/vcus-mike-ellis-expected-to-take-villa-7-with-him-to-minnesota)

I was just wondering if anyone knew of recent attendees.  I would not be shocked if we got an assistant that has participated in the program. 

[chapman]

Sharka?

[Earl Tatum]

Virginia Tech 3 star 6-9 recruit Trevor Thompson is leaving.

[Jay Bee]

I always thought it was started by Norwood Teague.  Was Ellis working for Teague at VCU when it started?

No. Mike started it while at VCU, but before Teague arrived.

He's good people (Ellis).

Enough talk for now - big things in the works.