Coffee, class, coaching … this has been a typical day for WVU Reed College of Media journalism senior Julia Manley since February 2021.
Manley balances a full-time college course load with a job as the head coach for the girls varsity basketball team at her alma mater, Notre Dame High School in Clarksburg, West Virginia. She is believed to be the youngest varsity basketball coach in the state and possibly the nation.
Manley played basketball throughout high school and always knew she couldn’t stay away from the game for long.
“As busy as I am, I truly wouldn’t change it for the world,” Manley said. “I love coaching because it allows me to continue to stay close with the game but also be able to be a supportive person for the younger generations of ballplayers. My goal is to create a positive culture around the sport.”
Manley credits her professors and advisors at the College of Media with providing a solid support system for her busy schedule.
“I’m incredibly lucky to have role models who were able to show me how to be successful and to inspire and support me,” said Manley. “Professor Ashton Marra and my former advisor Kayla Poling are the reason I am where I am today. I can’t thank them enough for their dedication and time.”
“Julia is from my hometown so, first and foremost, her commitment to her community means a lot to me personally,” said Marra. “Helping to shape the futures of young West Virginians is exactly why I wanted to work at WVU, and I can see that same level of compassion in Julia and her work with her high school players. They’re from her town, they go to her former school, and she wants to give them a positive experience that resonates beyond just a win or a loss.
This semester, Manley is taking an independent study course with Marra, collaborating with students from Denison University and Appalachian filmmaker Doug Swift on an interactive documentary experience about The Wilds, a 10,000 acre tract of land in southeastern Ohio.
“In her journalism, Julia’s curiosity always comes through, but she’s also not afraid of hard work,” added Marra. “She is no stranger to adversity, and you can see that in the way she approaches challenges that may discourage other students.”
Prior to taking the coaching job, Manley was a College of Media student ambassador, supporting recruitment and retention efforts. She worked with the College’s recruiter on a program to help high schools across West Virginia build their media programs. She also interned for WBOY-TV, WVNews and The Exponent Telegram and has had her writing featured on PolitiFact and in The State Journal.
After graduation in May, Manley hopes to use the skills she’s gained through her social media strategy and English minors to help others tell their stories. Her dream job is to own a marketing firm that helps small businesses with their campaigns and social media accounts. As for coaching, Manley wants to continue for as long as she can. Her players motivate her to keep finding balance in life.
“This has been my favorite job that I have ever had,” said Manley. “All of my players are involved in extracurricular activities and have school on their plate along with basketball. I’m hoping to lead by example.”