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