NEW YORK -- The Big East Conference spent time this weekend focusing on the future of some of its womens basketball players.The conference hosted a professional development weekend for players from all 10 of its schools that included a series of panels, question-and-answer sessions and mock interviews.Our inaugural Transition Game program provided inspiring speakers, useful information and great energy, said Big East commissioner Val Ackerman. We hope our student-athletes will draw on the tips, tools and messages our experts offered as they begin to plan for life in the real world.One of the highlights of the two-day seminar was a panel of broadcasters that included Providence alum Doris Burke.I hope that these women understand the message that everyone seemed to send that regardless of what your field of endeavor is, hard work is going to get you there, Burke said. The unique thing about the time that were in now is the way people conceive of what a womens job in sport is, is different, its changing. Were seeing women now in what we would consider `non-traditional roles . I think we need young women to aspire to positions outside of the sideline. If you want to be a sideline reporter, thats outstanding and its a great way to impact a broadcast, but you can be a play-by-play person, the doors are now opening.The group of players also toured the Sept. 11 memorial and museum.It was so emotional and being with the Big East group and be able to reflect on that together was really special, said Georgetown junior Dorothy Adomako. Its been different to interact with everyone off the court, especially at dinner -- we were able to bond more and it actually felt like we were back in our AAU days.One of the most passionate speakers on the weekend was New York Liberty director of player development Teresa Weatherspoon. She talked about what it takes to get to the next level. With only 144 roster spots in the WNBA, the players need to think about other options.I searched greatness, I searched excellence. I wanted to understand greatness. I wanted to understand excellence because thats what I wanted for myself because of my commitment to the process, she said. When I looked up greatness and everything that I searched said theres a price you have to pay. Are you willing to pay the price? And whatever it is that you guys desire to do, doesnt have to be basketball, whatever it is, because were all unique and wonderful in our own way, there better be a commitment to the process, but know theres a price to pay. Wholesale Football Jerseys Throwback . LOUIS -- St. Discount Football Jerseys Throwback . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. http://www.cheapfootballthrowback.com/ . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. Sale Football Jerseys Throwback . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Stitched Football Jerseys Throwback .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Robin McBryde accepts that Wales can help their cause for the 2019 World Cup by delivering successful results this season. A nine-Test campaign begins on Saturday when Australia arrive at the Principality Stadium.With the Japan 2019 pool draw taking place in May next year, the higher a world ranking Wales can obtain by then should assist them avoiding a so-called group of death repeat.Defeat against Australia in December 2012 relegated Wales outside the worlds top eight - and the subsequent 2015 World Cup draw saw them grouped alongside the Wallabies and hosts England. We know the implications of not having a very successful period between now and May, Wales assistant coach and forwards specialist McBryde said.The repercussions of that we felt in the last World Cup, really, where we had a short turnaround against quality teams, and ultimately that took quite a bit out of us.We know we can help our cause in 2019 by getting results at this stage. Everyone is more than aware of that. It does give a little bit more importance to getting those wins in the next however many months it is.If Wales are to start on the right foot, though, they must end an 11-match losing run against Australia, a sequence that stretches back eight years.Australia are ranked above us, and they are always a quality team, McBryde added. At this stage of the season, historically, we havent been very strong, so hopefully this young group of players that weve got will enter the game tomorrow with no baggage and give it their best shot.Wales field only seven survivors from their last game - a 46-6 defeat against world champions New Zealand in Dunedin just over four months ago - and they go into battle without absent forwards in flanker Sam Warburton, lock Alun WWyn Jones and number eight Taulupe Faletau.ddddddddddddIt has meant a new-look back-row of Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty being selected, while Australia - potentially crucially - can field their twin masters of the breakdown in David Pocock and Michael Hooper.The stadium roof will be open at Wales request this weekend - dry conditions are forecast - as they look to derail Australias possible Grand Slam tour of Great Britain and Ireland this autumn at the first opportunity.Wales interim head coach Rob Howley, in charge this season while Warren Gatland concentrates on British and Irish Lions business ahead of next summers New Zealand tour, fully recognises the Pocock/Hooper threat.With Pocock and Hooper, it shows the sort of landscape they want to play. Its up to us to make sure that they are not in control of that landscape, and thats a challenge, Howley said. The contact area is going to be hugely important, and theyve got two specialists, and thats going to be a huge challenge.They are a big physical pack, with the front-five looking to set a good platform for the six, seven and eight to have an influence around the park. It is important we control what we control. The contact area is always a focus in international rugby, in winning those small yards in those areas and making sure we are technically and tactically right.?The big thing for us on Saturday is having composure and being clinical, particularly when we get into those areas which we did 12 months ago (against Australia in the World Cup). The longer we have the ball, the longer they dont, and that is a challenge in itself. ' ' '