Princess Tea Party

Our Princess Tea Party on Sunday was a big hit. Our guest of honor, Reese, seemed to have a lot of fun throughout the afternoon. Reese brought along several friends to enjoy the activities with her. Our team did a phenomenal job putting it all together (and I think they had a lot of fun too ;) We started off with some snacks, then belated birthday gifts for Reese. After gifts, we all got a chance to decorate some cookies. We wrapped up the afternoon by going down to the gym and giving everyone a chance to run around. It was great to see our team interact with the kids. All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon.

Helicopters Hovering Over Campus

After last week's non-stop rain, our football field here at R-MC resembled more of a pond, than a playing surface. In preparation for "The Game," the newly created pond had to be transformed into a football field. "The Game" is the long standing rivalry between R-MC and Hampden-Sydney. This year was the 115th edition of "The Game" and was played here in Ashland in front of over 5,000 fans.

Thanks to some very generous R-MC supporters, 2 helicopters hovered over the field to spray the water to the periphery. Mr. John Irby got a great shot of the whole scene.


Photo by John Irby

Congrats R-MC Volleyball!

Our Yellow Jacket Volleyball team won it's first ODAC Championship over the weekend and now stands at 28-6. They are heading to Texas this week to take on Trinity in the first round of the NCAA touranment. Go Jackets!

The Newest Yellow Jacket

We finally were able to meet Reese, the adorable soon to be 7 year old we adopted through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, on Friday afternoon. Our team was very excited to meet Reese afer hearing so much about her and posting on her Caring Bridge site. There was an instant connection between Reese and our team. She had a sparkle in her eyes when we talked about what number she would like to be. Reese chose 16 for her birthday. The team baked brownies (Reese's favorite) and made a sign welcoming Reese to the women's basketball family.

Friends of Jaclyn was created to improve the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. You can learn more by checking out their website: www.friendsofjaclyn.org.



Welcome Reese!


The '09-'10 Yellow Jackets

Homecoming Queen

This past weekend was R-MC's 2009 Homecoming Weekend. Despite the cold, rainy weather, many alums, family and friends were on campus to celebrate everything Randolph-Macon. You can read more about it on R-MC's website: www.rmc.edu/Alumni/Gala.aspx.

Our very own Molly Ariail '10 was named 2009 Homecoming Queen. Molly is very deserving of the honor as she is a good friend to many on campus and represents the College well in many capacities. Congratulations Molly!


Photo by John Irby

And We're Off!

We are in our first full week of practice now; it's exciting to see the progress we are making! Our returning players are back on the court with another year of collegiate basketball experience under their belts and our newcomers are catching on quickly. I really enjoy watching our team come together each year with players stepping into new, bigger roles. Just one month from today is our first game, can't wait :)

Friends of Jaclyn

Our team has adopted a little girl through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ). Friends of Jaclyn is a wonderful organization that matches pediatric brain tumor patients with sports teams. The FOJ website explains that the mission of the foundation is to improve the quality of life for pediatric brain tumor patients by forming a deep bond with a sports team. The team becomes a strong, loving, supportive network for the child and her family. You can find out more about Friends of Jaclyn by checking out their website: www.friendsofjaclyn.org.

Our team began corresponding with the newest member of the Yellow Jacket family last week. We are very eager to meet her. Right now she can't be around a lot of people until her immune system gets stronger. So until then, we will keep cheering her on in her battle and hope that she is soon well enough to come to campus :)

FORE!

This past weekend was our annual Women's Basketball R-MC Golf Open & Season Kickoff. We had a great turnout. I enjoyed seeing some folks who I haven't seen since the end of last season. Over 70 people joined us for lunch and the drawing of door prizes. Coach LaHaye spoke a bit about the upcoming season. We are very excited to get started. Only 22 days until the first day of practice! After lunch, 56 golfers took to the course. It was a great day for golf and everyone seemed to have a great time. Thanks to everyone who participated! I'll post some pictures soon.

Busy Weekend

It was a busy Saturday here at Randolph-Macon with men's and women's soccer, field hockey and football all playing home games. Many of our players were out and about on campus cheering on their fellow Yellow Jackets. Some even made the rounds; heading over to the field hockey and soccer games after the conclusion of the football game. It was a great day to be outside.

Welcome Class of 2013

The school year is upon us! We are very excited to begin the 2009-2010 school year as that means the season is not too far behind. The Class of 2013 moved in yesterday with an army of Macon Movers doing all the heavy lifting for them. Returning students will move in this weekend. I am excited for our team to come together and see everyone in the same place again! Only 48 days until our first practice!

Summer Snapshots

Campus has been quiet the past few days as most of the summer camps have concluded and we are all eagerly awaiting the return of students in less than a month. I went for a stroll around campus yesterday afternoon and took a few pictures.


The Class of 2009 walked across their bricks as they processed into graduation in May.


A Look at the Fountain Plaza


The sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits await the students' return.


Center Court in Crenshaw

Top Pictures from '08-'09

I've been thinking a lot about the upcoming season and in doing so have been reflecting about the past season as well. We had a lot of fun times this past year. Below are some of our favorite pictures from this past season.

Camp Week

Last week Crenshaw was full of energized campers! We had a great camp week. Our campers showed a lot of improvement throughout the week, especially in shooting and ball handling. Each camper set some goals at the beginning of the week for camp, for the summer, and for the whole year. We hope our campers keep working hard throughout the year and have a great summer!

Class of 2009

Congratulations to R-MC's Class of 2009! On Saturday, May 30, the members of the Class of 2009 participated in their commencement exercises on a beautiful day. The flowers were in full bloom on campus and the weather was perfect. While it is sad to say goodbye to our our women's basketball seniors, Amanda Hiltunen, Lindsay Riesbeck, and Rachel Parker, we know they will still be around supporting our team and R-MC.

Congratuations to all the graduates!




Lindsay walks off the stage after receiving her diploma



Rachel walks across the stage




Amanda gets her diploma!

Champions Dinner

This past Saturday was the Yellow Jacket Club's Annual Champions Dinner. Our team was honored as ODAC Champions as well as our football team. The sixty senior athletes were recognized as well. Amanda Hiltunen was named the Susan Locke deNagy Award winner. The deNagy Award goes to a senior female student-athlete in recognition for her outstanding athletic accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership, and sportsmanship. Amanda certainly fits the bill as she excelled throughout her four years on the court and in the classroom. She was a two year captain for our team and worked hard to be the best leader possible for our team.

Congratulations to Amanda and all of our Yellow Jacket senior athletes!



Our team at the Champions Dinner

NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Winner

Last week it was announced that Amanda Hiltunen '09 was awarded a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. The NCAA selected 58 scholarship winners from all winter sports across all three NCAA divisions. Amanda was one of only 4 DIII winter athletes to receive the prestigious award.

Throughout her career here, Amanda has excelled equally in the classroom and on the court. She will graduate this month with a major in political science and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Amanda will continue her education at VCU studying Sports Marketing.

“Randolph-Macon has prepared me for any career I pursue,” says Hiltunen. “Every student here is not only given a great education opportunity, but a chance to be a well-rounded young adult after graduation. As I head to graduate school to study sports marketing, I know the skills that I developed here will not only help me succeed at VCU but also in anything else that I work hard for. That's the beauty about a Randolph-Macon education. You learn how to think, analyze and solve any problem put before you.”

Amanda is the second Randolph-Macon Women's Basketball Player to receive a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Jenn Kohler DelRossi '96 was honored with the scholarship before she moved on to study Physical Therapy at Shenandoah University.

To read more about Amanda's latest award and all her accomplishments, check out the story on the R-MC website: http://www.rmc.edu/News/09-05-08%20Amanda%20Hiltunen.aspx

Busy Weekend

This past weekend, campus was busy with a number of activities going on. On Saturday, many walkers braved the rain to participate in Relay for Life. As part of the event, a number of people got their hair cut to donate to Locks of Love. Women's Basketball alum Michelle Orton '06 was one of them. Also on Saturday, the Campus Activities Board sponsored Spring Fest with a number of activities going on. On Sunday, some of our players took part in the 4th Annual Nick Bramble 5K. Enjoy some pictures from the weekend.




Michelle Orton'06 donates her hair for Locks for Love



The After Shot



Maggie Roy '12 and Taylor Wieczorek '12 are out and about on Saturday

GMA in Ashland!

Good Morning America was in Ashland this past Tuesday as part of their At Your House series. Many students and community members were up bright and early to welcome GMA and show their support.





Chris Cuomo and Sam Champion do the weather



Katie Williams '11 and Molly Ariail '10 peer out from the crowd





Anchors Chris Cuomo and Sam Champion get ready

Top Ten Reasons to be a Yellow Jacket

Throughout the off season, I'm planning on including some thoughts from our players. Below are the top ten reasons to be a Yellow Jacket according to our Class of 2012.

10. We usually get to go on a trip to play in a tournament over Christmas break (i.e. St. Thomas was our trip this year.)

9. We are a close-knit team and you are guaranteed to have a ton of laughs!

8. The coaching staff is incomparable to other professionals.

7. ODAC Champs!!!

6. "Team before me" kind of play.

5. Coach does our laundry after practice and games! (how nice is that?!)

4. Students and teachers on campus respect you as a player, student, and individual.

3. You learn lessons on and off the court that you can use everyday.

2. Our coaches genuinely care about each person on the team! They love us!

1. The program is very successful and has an incredible track record.



Class of 2012 -- Molly Brown, Jillian Asay, Taylor Wieczorek, Maggie Roy
Photo by Beth Wieczorek

St. Louis and the Final Four

Coach LaHaye and I just returned from St. Louis where we attended the WBCA Convention and the Final Four. We had a great time! Bright and early Saturday morning, we participated in the 4Kay Run/Walk which raises money for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. It was a beautiful morning with the sun rising over the Mississippi River and the St. Louis Gateway Arch. We attended a number of sessions throughout the convention: on-court clinics, recruiting sessions, and awards presentations. It's always interesting to talk with other coaches and to learn from colleagues. I always enjoy watching the Final Four in person as well. There is a special energy during the games as so much is at stake. Enjoy the pictures below :)

The Gateway Arch early Saturday morning

The start of the 4Kay Race

Coach Richter & Coach LaHaye in St. Louis

UConn during a timeout

Louisville huddle during championship game

The ESPN booth

UConn celebrates on the sideline as the final seconds run off the clock

UConn players run on the floor as time expires

National Champions!

ODAC-USA South Senior All-Star Game

Last weekend the ODAC Senior All-Stars took on the USA South Senior All-Stars at Hampden-Sydney. The ODAC played a strong second half to come away with the win, 79-76. Lindsay Riesbeck represented R-MC in the game. Coach LaHaye and I were there to cheer on the ODAC team; it was a lot of fun watching Lindsay play with players who she battled throughout her four years as a Yellow Jacket. Here's the link to the game story: http://www.odaconline.com/03.24.09_bball_odacusasouthrecap.htm.

All-Americans!

Senior Amanda Hiltunen and Junior Molly Ariail were named WBCA All-America Honorable Mentions. Both had wonderful seasons capped off with the 2009 ODAC Championship. Amanda was the 2009 ODAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Molly was the 2009 ODAC Player of the Year. Both were repeat winners. Read more about their accomplishments on the R-MC website: http://www.rmc.edu/News/WBBALL09-HiltunenAriailAll-Americans-news.aspx.

Congratulations Amanda and Molly!

Amanda Hiltunen '09 during our Pink Zone Game

Molly Ariail '10 tips off our Pink Zone Game

NCAA Tournament

The NCAA DIII Final Four is this weekend. On the women's side, George Fox (30-0) plays TCNJ (27-4) and Wash U (25-4) play Amherst (29-2). Both should be great matchups. Two of our fellow ODAC teams played George Fox at a holiday tournament earlier this season. Virginia Wesleyan played them tight with George Fox coming away with their slimest margin of victory all season, 56-53. Bridgewater played them the following day to a 64-52 final score.

Brackets came out last night for the DI tournament. It will be interesting to see if anyone can take down UConn. The New York Times has an interesting article today comparing this year's team to previous UConn undefeated teams.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/sports/ncaabasketball/17uconn.html

Crazy Weather

When we returned from Salem on Sunday night after winning the ODAC Championship, campus looked like a winter wonderland. The snow was beautiful. Now as we prepare to head north for our first round NCAA game at Messiah College in Pennsylvania, the snow is starting to melt and by the time we return it will be 70 degrees. Some crazy weather, but the snow made for a very picturesque campus :)

ODAC Champions!

Over the weekend we captured the 2009 ODAC Championship with wins over Eastern Mennonite, Virginia Wesleyan, and Bridgewater. It was a great team effort for which Lindsay Riesbeck and Amanda Hiltunen were named to the All-Tournament team and Molly Ariail was named the Most Outstanding Player. Enjoy a few pictures from the weekend.

Coach LaHaye cutting down the net!

2009 ODAC Champions!

The Yellow Jackets at the ODAC Awards Banquet

More Pink Zone Pictures

We got some additional photos from our Pink Zone event. Take a look!

Photos by John Irby