Spring Break

A lot has happened since my last post. It is probably a good thing that I don't look at the date of the last one because then I will know I truly have been negligent in keeping up with the news about and within the program. So what has been going on since you last read? Well we ended our very quick season on a down note losing in the quarterfinal game of the ODAC tourney. Certainly not what any of us intended, but not a surprise to some who knew our inconsistencies throughout the year. The last game of the season, unless you win the National Tournament, will always end with a loss. That last game is a tough ending to all the hard work, time and energy each of us has put into the season and for four seniors--four years of their college life. These four seniors won 2-ODAC Championships (many players never win a Conference Championship), and had 2-NCAA post-season appearances. They accomplished many things during their career and they kept Randolph-Macon in the forefront of the Conference. I am going to miss their unique personalities and their contributions. I will always remember what they gave to the program.

So Much For Granted

Last weekend was extremely special for our team as we had our annual pink games and assisted with Special Olympics. This year our team raised money for ReeseStrong, which is the foundation in honor of Reese, our little pediatric brain cancer survivor that we adopted three years ago through the Friends of Jaclyn program. ReeseStrong helps other families in their fight against childhood cancer. Reese was with us all day. The team was welcomed by her at center court to start the game and we had the opportunity for hugs following the game. She and her family are such great supporters of the Yellow Jackets and we were honored to raise a little money for ReeseStrong.

Then on Sunday, our team participated in the basketball skills session of the Virginia Special Olympics Basketball Tournament. We cheered on and led the Olympians in dribbling, passing, and shooting--skills we take for granted. Our team was fabulous in their efforts, their encouragement, and their overall involvement in the entire event. We finished off the special day with the dance in Alumni Gym with as many Olympians as wanted to dance.

23rd Annual Back to the Hive

This past Saturday we celebrated the 23rd Annual Back to the Hive event. It was the largest group of former team members--35-- that has come back. The day started with our odd years versus even years alumnae game. The game was pretty equal throughout the contest until the even years took control with a couple minutes left to prevail again for the 3rd straight year. Our game vs Emory & Henry followed with us taking a decisive victory. Each alumnus was recognized at half-time and given a momento. And then onto the social following the game--usually the favorite of all. It was a great opportunity to catch up with each other and some parents of former members were in attendance as well. Thanks to all for coming and sharing in the day. Thanks to each of you who contributed to the dvd with pictures, kind comments, and lots of precious memories. It was a powerful day for me. We also had several prospective students visit and experience the day. They sure did get a feel for RMC Women's Basketball. Take a look at the ones who came Back.

The Number Has Arrived!

Well, finally that elusive 500 number has been found! I have an awful lot of people to thank for reaching this number. To all of the outstanding student-athletes who have propelled me into the spotlight, I give you thanks. To all my Assistant Coaches who know they have to keep me on task to have accomplished what we have, I surely value your bright minds, devotion and loyalty, and ability to put up with me every day. To my family for their unending love--what could I have ever done without your love and support? To my church family who buoyed me when times were tough. To all my friends, other family, and fans--thanks for helping me keep things in perspective and always being there for me. To our financial supporters---there is no way this program would be where it is today without your belief in us and what we are doing at Randolph-Macon College. Thanks to the media for giving us a shout now and again and putting us out there for the public to see.

To my current team, I am glad the number has been found. It was tougher on you than you thought. Please relax, think silly string, and just have fun.

Sun and Experience

I can't believe it has taken me so long to post something from our trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. While we were all excited about going to some place sunny and perhaps exotic, it was not at all what I had expected. It was not a quiet beach island at all, at least where we were in Isla Verde. The traffic was most intense and it seemed to not be logical in how one gets from one place to the next. At any rate, it was fun to be with the team and I was proud of their willingness to try Puerto Rican food. Our two games against Alvernia and Franklin and Marshall were also great experiences. We sure do get spoiled in the states with some of the luxury gyms we get to play in. The courts/gyms in San Juan were open. Since it was so warm, the morning breeze felt nice during our heated contests. Having the chance to see the El Junque Rain Forest and Old San Juan were highlights of our trip as well. The team had the opportunity to swim in the very cold waterfall in the rain forest. Swimming in the ocean wasn't as fun as the hotel pool, but everyone enjoyed the warmth. All in all, I am happy we had a chance to experience another culture and lifestyle.

Whole Week Off!

Our last game was Tuesday, December 6. Everyone had a chance to play several minutes and we got back on track with some of our work. We don't play again until we go to Puerto Rico for our team trip during the semester break. We have two great opponents to play in the Puerto Rico Classic, Alvernia College and Franklin and Marshall College. Both teams are from Pennsylvania. This week we have just been maintaining. Classes have last minute work that needs to be done as well as you know most kids--they wait until the last minute to finish everything. Today was the last day of classes. Next week will be exams. It will be difficult to get much done next week as our players stress over their exams, probably stay up too late studying, and just worry about getting everything studied for each class. We'll try to get them some study breaks so we can keep a little fresh and be ready to play on Dec. 18. The only good thing is that most schools will be in exams as well--so the playing field may be a little more level. The team is very excited about going to Puerto Rico. It will be a wonderful place--about 83 degrees this time of the year--that sure sounds good to us all. We have some adventures planned and are looking forward to having a break from school.

Home Games

We are already 4-games into the season and not off to the best start. What's going on? Everyone asks. The solution or solutions appear to be easy for the outsider looking in. Sometimes, something so simple as our game becomes complicated when we let it. As coaches, that is the fun part and the challenge each day to make the solution even more simple for all of us. We are on our way. When you have people who care, it is a whole lot better to work on anything that needs improvement. Fortunately, I am surrounded by people who care, people who do not want to be mediocre, people who remind themselves there are standards of excellence to be followed, and people that are not afraid to work to get a desired result. How blessed I am to be in the midst of them as they develop.

Ready or Not...

We have one more practice before we open our 2011-12 season. This team has worked hard to be conditioned and ready to compete. Our scrimmages were good tests for us, but now comes the real test for this team who has been pre-seasoned picked to be #1 in the Conference. It is a long, tough competitive season and for our 4-seniors, they will set the stage for the rest of us. They know how to lead and they know what it takes each day to be successful on and off the court. I am excited for them and for their teammates. This week will give us a taste of what is to come in our own Conference. Teams that can play. Teams that know how to win. Teams that can compete. It will be challenging. It will be rewarding. It will be all that we want it to be. It will be truly why we do this day in and day out. So let the games begin.

GOTTA HAVE ONE!

We have a great new item for sale. Check it out. You will want to be the first in line to get the limited edition t-shirt noting our 7-ODAC Championships. The shirt is a vintage, soft feel cotton/polyester/rayon in grey heather. The design is distressed and the shirt feels like you have had it since we won our first ODAC Championship in 1996. We have several sizes on hand and can even order to please, if you're not a t-shirt person. You can email us, call us, come by and see us and you can purchase as many as you want. clahaye@rmc.edu or ckcalhoun@rmc.edu or 804-752-7365, 804-752-4714. Don't get left out.

Practice

Well we have completed almost 2-weeks of practice and we are already tired of playing against each other. Fortunately we have our first scrimmage on Sunday. We coaches are excited about all of the returning players who have worked hard to improve their games. We are just as excited about the three new players that have stepped in and moved us along. We have not had to take any strides backwards--they are super quick learners. We and their teammates surely do welcome them. They are a quiet bunch though. Our scrimmage will be a good test for where we are and how far we need to go. We are not there yet, but we are quite pleased with the work ethic, energy, and motivation of this team. It won't be long until we are totally engrossed in our game schedule. We hope you get a chance to come see us play.

Homecoming

Homecoming was this past weekend and what a beautiful weekend we had with the weather, the Gala, the former players or students, and, of course, the parents. The Weekend started with recruits visiting on Friday. Then Friday night the Brock Center was alive with the annual Gala, which is a celebration of Randolph-Macon College and all we have accomplished through the past year. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the givers, the enthusiastic support of people who love Randolph-Macon College, the alumni who come back after being gone for years, the time of remembrances and just the joy and electricity in the building. Following that is the actual Homecoming Day on Saturday when a celebration of the various classes takes place during tailgating. The one tailgate that I enjoyed the most this year was the Riesbeck basketball one. To my delight, I had the chance to see and chat with former players' parents. What a time to reminisce! It was about friendships and relationships developed over the course of 4-years while their daughters played and they are still getting together to be a part of Randolph-Macon College women's basketball--a coach could not ask for more and they brought it back! It usually is understood that players will carry their college days past graduation, but to see all of these parents was pretty meaningful and easy to understand what their actual experience was with the basketball program. Powerful for me...thanks for sharing.

Wet Golf with Lots of Fun!

This past Saturday we had our annual RMC Golf Open fund-raiser and season kick-off event at the Hollows Golf course. We had 63 golfers and 20 additional people for lunch. The course was extremely wet, but the rains held off while we golfed and came as most of us were coming off the course. We had a great day to mix and mingle prior to teeing off. We appreciate the support of all the hole sponsors and gift givers. This has become one of the special events our team enjoys doing each year. Thanks to all who helped make it a success for us.

Involvement with Fund-Raising and ReeseStrong

The team is often asked to participate in fund-raising activities for our team as well as other organizations. This past weekend we had a few of our players, Lindsey, Kellie, Caroline, Paige, Sarah, and Jill participate in the ReeseStrong 5k run. As some may recall from reading through my blogs that Reese Klauer, our little girl assigned to us by the Friends of Jaclyn, has her own ReeseStrong organization, which helps other pediatric cancer patients. Congratulations to those players for running on Saturday and raising more dollars for them. Then we have our own fund-raising activities--our golf tourney on September 24 at the Hollows. We are also selling caramel corn and peanut brittle and it is some tasty stuff! You can purchase any of those items from a player, but thanks to Madison, we are on our way to becoming great sales people. You can always help us out in some way-play golf, buy something, or make the donation.

Storms and Rain

We were very fortunate that there was limited damage and no power lost during Irene's quest of the east coast. Lots of cleanup around campus and throughout the area, but all in all very minor compared to some folks we know. Our Friends of Jaclyn girl, Reese, and her family had a huge tree destroy their house. A picture of their home was an Assoc. Press photo so it was seen in many newspapers around the country. They will be misplaced for about 8-weeks. That is never a good situation when school started this week and they are without familiar surroundings. They also have to drive a ways to get Rhett and Reese to school. Meanwhile our students arrived safely to begin their school year. So we are off and running this week. Now Lee and Katia are causing some serious rains and many thunderstorms. It doesn't help our Fall sports schedules when everything is soaking. Right now we are all safe and sound, afterall we do need the rain since the summer was so hot and dry. Besides the rain is good for all those Fall lawn reparation duties.