Dedication of the Staub Training Room

Saturday, November 15th was a big day at Randolph-Macon.  It started with the dedication of the new Woody & Emby Staub Athletic Training Room.   Woody `84, a former football player and Emby `86, a former basketball player, made it possible for the training room to be renovated into a state of the art center for our student-athletes.  Thanks to Heather Bauby, our Head Athletic Trainer, for the design and the motivation to get this project completed.  The picture included with this blog is of some of our players who attended the dedication. Following the ceremony, was "the Game", also known as the oldest rivalry in the south, and Hampden-Sydney vs Randolph-Macon in football.  This year was a little more significant as the winner was to be the ODAC Champion and move on to NCAA play.  Our guys came up short. Following football was the Tip-Off Classic sponsored by Riesbeck Contracting.  We had opened our season the night before with a huge victory over the pre-season ranked #3 team in the nation, Christopher-Newport.  Saturday's matchup was against a very athletic team from New Jersey, Rutgers-Newark.  Another total team effort resulted in a victory and a 2-0 start to the season.

Homecoming

This post is for one of "my former dads".  I apologize very much for you having to tell me the blog is outdated.  I have been quite negligent in writing.  I also can't say that there is a real legitimate excuse for not taking care of this.  At any rate, today was Homecoming!  The weekend started on Friday with alumni meetings, a luncheon, many more activities, and topped off with the annual "gala".  Last night it was referred to as the Reception. Instead of being held in the cavernous Brock Center, it was held in the newly constructed, Brock Commons, the Student Center.  It was a tremendous affair. What makes it so special is I get to see so many alumni-- not just basketball players, but students I have had in class. Also there are many others that I get to see or meet. Some know me because I am the basketball coach, but I don't know them. It's a great opportunity to meet outstanding alumni.  Then comes Saturday.  Obviously tailgating is an important aspect of the day. It was in the tailgating area that I was chastised for not keeping up to date. I will definitely try to do better. It was also in the tailgating area that I saw many former players, athletes and more alumni.  Special times and memories are relived.  The basketball alumnae heard of the possible locker room renovation and were asked how to go about raising the dollars. I was told it was a done deal. They were actively moving forward to get the dollars in hand--Amazing. But how exciting, in one day with visits by many former basketball players they were all told of the idea and they all said, "I'm in."  So is that something or what? Our locker room renovation has arrived after all, thanks to all those who have made a difference in this program and still want to make a difference. There is nothing more meaningful to me than to have them want to continue to be a part of this magnificent program and school.  Of course, special thanks to "my former dad" for his aggressiveness and enthusiasm for the project! It is all done out of love and will continue...

Community Outreach

Each year we have the opportunity to give back to the community in some way or another.  We recently completed two projects. One was with "Stir It Up" where we went to Deep Run HS and helped with this community health fair.  Four of our players, Sarah, Kellie, Hannah and Khajae got to play "knockout" with kids who came to our station.  There was a big group, which included three University of Richmond women's players and a couple of the men's players from Randolph-Macon.  The announcer said it was the biggest knockout game he had seen---I guess he hasn't seen some of our camp games, then.  At any rate, our players had the opportunity to meet some kids just starting out and learning the game.  It was the initial year for "Stir it Up", so maybe next year will truly be the biggest knockout game.  Thanks to the 4-players who gave of their time on Sunday afternoon.
Our second event involved helping the Girl Scouts from Beaverdam earn their Fair Play Try-it badge. Their scout leader, Brianne Adams, is an alumna, and rather than do kids games, she called upon us to teach a little basketball.  Have you ever tried to teach 7-9 year old girls everything you know about basketball in 1.5 hours? There were 4-steps included in earning their badge.  They had to learn a little about Title IX, fairness, and equity-include everyone.  They had to learn the rules(well some of them anyway)-follow the rules.  They had to play the game, learn the skills--be a part of the team.  And they had to keep score.  The team did a fabulous job of teaching, playing and including the girls in their quest to earn their badge.  It was fun.  If you ever want your player(s) to get better at a skill, make them teach it to someone who doesn't know what dribbling means.   Good luck Girl Scouts in getting your badge.  Thanks for letting us be the ones to help you and thanks team for your evening.

WBCA Convention & Final Four

New Orleans is an interesting city.  Since I was last there in 2003, Katrina  devastated the place.  I went to a few locations that had revitalized and rebuilt themselves.  Amazing.  I know I didn't go to all of the city in 2003, so it would be really hard for me to compare it post-Katrina in 2013.  I did see some.  The people of New Orleans are a strong and hard working group of individuals.   They suffered and persevered through that awful hurricane and the devastation.  Yet, what gracious hosts they are to us outsiders.  The Convention Center is a monstrous and gi-normous building.  Not only was our, (I thought quite large) coaches convention there, but they had a car show at one end of the building and the American Chemical Society convention in another part.  There were lots of people everywhere!  Then, of course, walking from the convention site to the hotel, about 20-25 minutes, you see all these other people on the streets that are vacationing, touring, working, visiting, etc.  The WBCA and Final Four was not the hottest ticket in town.  Most people didn't even know we were there.  On Bourbon Street we saw a group of young men from Notre Dame in town for a bachelor's party.  We asked if they coincided it with the women's team playing in the Final Four.  Unfortunately I can't publish their answer, but it was clear women's basketball was not their interest or reason for being in town.  New Orleans was fun. The clinics, learning labs, seminars, and round tables were fabulous this year.  I learned lots. I can't wait to implement some stuff, change some thoughts and ideas, work on a few areas and get ready for next season.  For that very reason, it was the best yet!  By the way, I had my first shrimp Po`boy and my first muffaletta. It was worth going to NOLA for them.

End of the Year

The season ended, much to our dismay, abruptly on February 21st when we went up against the reigning and eventual ODAC champs in our quarterfinal game at the Salem Civic Center. As was custom for most of the season, we ended up getting a lot too late into the game.  In many ways it was an exact duplicate of many of the games we played this season.  Once we got over the fact that we could compete with our opponent, we did.  However in the ODAC, you must compete for the entire 40 minutes.  Although that was a new concept for most of the team, it is also a tough lesson to learn.  I trust we believe it now.  Next season is already on all of our minds.  After a couple weeks off, everyone will be anxious to right what we flipped this year.  

Special Day

Sunday our team had the chance to work the Special Olympics Basketball event.  We were responsible for the skills competition just like last year.  In a two hour time span, it is so easy to get attracted, engrossed, and involved with each of the athletes that come to the 3-different stations of competition, target passing, spot shooting, and dribbling.  Many we remembered from last year, but there were a few new athletes along with a couple new organizations (or Areas as they call them).  We had the chance to jump for joy when someone made a basket, cheer loud when someone hit the target, or high-five someone who made the trip down and back dribbling the ball--skills we do well with relative ease and take for granted.  Yet, we all got excited when one of these athletes completed the task, perhaps only one time.  And, of course, the sheer excitement, cheering, or noise each of them elicited indicated they were proud of themselves too.  They practice their skills in order to compete in this event. The challenge for us was using the language that they know to edge them on to accomplish the skill. Our team did a great job.  I get all of the compliments for the team and definitely memories were made for a lifetime for each of them. 

Where's the Time Gone?

One of my new year's resolutions was to update my blog on a more regular basis.  With my twitter account (@rmcwbb), I am not doing as well as I should.  It has been more than a month.  Florida has come and gone; Christmas has definitely gone; the weather has fluctuated back and forth; the season has had its highs and lows; the team has fought through a number of injuries and sicknesses; and here we are--still living.  Everything could be worse and everything could certainly be better.  Tomorrow is Feb. 1, only one more month of basketball--it goes by way too fast!  It seems like we were just trying shoes on the other day.  It seems like we just distributed uniforms the other day.  It seems like we played our first game the other day.  Well we didn't.  That was 3-months ago.  As we come up on the end of the season with just 6-games left, we must grab on to them, hold them for a bit with no regrets, make the most of them or soon they will flitter away as the others have too.  Time waits for none.

Finals Week Turns to Warm Weather Soon

We have had a hectic and intense week of finals.  Our players have had exams every day and the final group of five had the last time slot of 2-5 pm on Friday afternoon. I can't remember having any of our players in the last slot for awhile.  We have tried to stay active throughout the week during our study breaks.  We haven't done much team basketball, but we have been cognizant of our conditioning and done some cross training.  For a few, they said they would just stay with basketball--the cross training activities were intense and harder than they thought.  Each day they talked more about the sore muscles.  Then they talked about being in shape for our trip to Florida.  We play two tough opponents while there so their bodies have to be in shape.  We are looking forward to the semester break, re-focusing, trying to turn our situation into a more positive outlook, and relaxing in the warm weather a bit before we join our families for the holidays.

Thankful, Still

`Tis the season to be thankful.  And I am.  As a basketball coach with an 0-3 record to start the season you may ask what is there to be thankful about?  I can count the ways.  I am thankful I am a coach.  I am thankful to come to work every day and try to make an impact on young women.  I am thankful to be able to teach and impart some knowledge on others. I am thankful for physical fitness, physical attributes, and physical talent.  I am thankful for smart, young women. I am thankful for laughter. I am thankful for youth. I am thankful for this team.  I am thankful for opportunities.  I am thankful for desire.  I am thankful for motivation.  I am thankful for improvement.  I am thankful for possibilities.  I am thankful for my staff.  I am thankful for Randolph-Macon. I am thankful for life.  I am thankful for love.  I am thankful for family.  I am thankful...

Opening Day

We are two practices shy of Opening Day for 2012-2013.  Excitement is clearly in the air and the energy and effort the last few days seems to have turned up a notch.  Sometimes that happens with young players.  Nerves, fear, enthusiasm, mistakes, speed and just overall body movement appears to be everywhere.  We coaches have been super excited about this team and the new look we will have.  We are young.  We miss the experience of our lost players--41 pts. to be exact.  Surprises face us every day.  Each day someone gets it and then it is contagious and they all get it.  Then we can move on to the next skill or fundamental.  It takes time to build youth, but when they pay attention and soak in the coaching tidbits, it is rewarding to watch them excel.  The ODAC will have lots of new players this year, but some really good talent returning as well.  Opening Day will set the tone. Come see us play.  Our team will definitely have a different look.

Homecoming Court

Last Saturday was Homecoming. On Friday night, we had the gala and that is a treat in itself.  Usually out of my element, but I have a blast when I get to socialize with lots of different people that love Randolph-Macon.   The campus was buzzing with alumni.  There were many special events and, for some, the first time they had seen all the construction on campus such as the Werner Pavillion and the new Day Field.  Homecoming is always a special time to re-connect with former students, players, and even parents.  One of our former player's Dad has a tailgate and has had one the last couple of years.  It is a great opportunity for the players to come and reminisce about  a particular game, practice, season, etc.  We saw them all from 1980 up to 2012 this year. I love to see them because chances are I get to talk with them more at the tailgate than I do at our annual Back to the Hive event.  Thanks for coming and thanks for the opportunity.   Here is a picture of a few of the former players who came.

Control of the Weather for Golf

On Saturday we had our annual RMC Golf Open and Season Kick-Off fund-raiser.  Everybody thinks I have some connections with the weather.  We have always had outstanding weather for our golf events.  Earlier in the day when I was loading up, it began to sprinkle.  I said a little prayer to get rid of the wet in order to have a good day for golf.  Thankfully, He heard me.  The weather was splendid for golf.  We had 18-foursomes, the largest turnout we have ever had.  We had extras for lunch.  The team did a great job conducting their fund-raiser!  Thanks to all of our supporters for doing everything they do for women's basketball.  

Leadership and Memories

Last Thursday night the Randolph-Macon campus had the opportunity to listen to Pat Williams, Senior Vice-President of the Orlando Magic, speak on "Moral Foundations for Sports, Business, and Life."  He was a dynamic speaker as he sure has had a lot of experiences dealing with people from all walks of life and around the world.  He has authored over 75-books.  That is some serious writing!  Blackwell Auditorium was filled and many of the athletes in attendance learned the 7-essential components to leadership.  I am sure as the captains, the seniors, we coaches, and anyone else who believes they are a leader reflected on those 7-qualities, we could identify with each one as he defined it.   I also thought about the leaders that have come through this program and how the really great ones had all those qualities or at least enough of them to make a difference with our team.   My memories of them were as meaningful as the talk itself.   At the conclusion of the presentation he was willing to sign any of his books that one had.  The team bought some and we were able to get a picture with him as well. 

Welcome Coach Litton

As usual much has happened since my last post.  Our new class has arrived and have been on a whirlwind with the returning players.  They laugh a lot.  They have fun together.  It is a good sign to see them having fun and being together.  We have also welcomed back Ana Litton as our new Assistant Coach.  She was with the program from 2002-2006.  During that time, we won 3-ODAC Championships, played in 3-NCAA Tournaments including a National Runner-up position and an Elite 8 finish.  I don't know about history repeating itself, but we will believe in it for the time being.  So as you can tell there are many exciting things going on to start the new school year.  Our big event coming up soon is the RMC Golf Open.  It is one of the fund-raisers we do.  We could use your swing.  Check it out at  .  https://sites.google.com/site/rmcgolfopen Come join us for a great day and kick-off.