Pictures & Practice

Last night we had our '08-'09 team pictures taken. There is always a little more excitement in the air when our players are in uniform and ready to go! Practices have been going well and our tip-off tournament is rapidly approaching. We have two scrimmages between now and then. Both will be a good test to see where we are and a good indication of things that need fine tuning.

We will keep you posted!

Ashland's 150th Birthday

Yellow Jackets enjoying the celebration

On Saturday, the town of Ashland celebrated it's 150th birthday on R-MC's campus. It was a special event with a little something for everyone. There were 150 birthday cakes around the fountain, exhibits depicting Ashland's history, a grand opening ceremony and a kids zone. Our team enjoyed the afternoon supervising the basketball playground area. It was fun to see the next generation of basketball players!

Hanging out in the Kids Zone

And We're Off!

Yesterday marked the start of the 2008-2009 season and we got off to a great start. Everyone was well rested from fall break and excited to get going. There was a lot of positive energy, enthusiasm and excitement as practice began. Our newcomers are blending in well with our returning players and the potential for this team is limitless. We'll see where the season takes us.

Season Kickoff Event and Golf Open

Lindsay Riesbeck and Amanda Hiltunen speak at our Season Kickoff
____

On Saturday, Yellow Jacket Women's Basketball family, friends, and supporters gathered together for our season kickoff and golf open. After a wonderful lunch and some social time, Coach LaHaye kicked off the event with some opening remarks and then introduced our 2008-2009 team. Seniors Amanda Hiltunen and Lindsay Riesbeck spoke about their excitement and high expectations for the upcoming season. Following our kickoff event, the golfers got their parting instructions and took to the course. It was a spectacular day with fun, friends, and some gorgeous weather!

Family Weekend

This past weekend we welcomed our extended women's basketball Yellow Jacket family to campus for Family Weekend. Our players, along with their parents and siblings got together for some fun and great food before the football game. It was fun to catch up with some parents we haven't seen since the end of last season. Our social also gave the new parents a chance to get to know our returners' families.

Seeing everyone just ratcheted up the excitement level for the upcoming season! Fifteen days to the start of practice!

Summer Internships

Last week seniors Amanda Hiltunen and Lindsay Riesbeck attended a dinner for all of R-MC's summer interns and their supervisors. It was a time to reflect on their summer work and recognize their efforts. Amanda Hiltunen, last season's ODAC Women's Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year and ODAC Second Team All-Conference, worked for Goodwill Industries of Central VA this summer. Her focus was in Marketing and Development. Lindsay Riesbeck, '07-'08 ODAC First Team All-Conference, worked for the American Diabetes Association, Central VA office. Lindsay's focus was event planning. Much of her time was dedicated toward organizing the Step Out to Fight Diabetes walk this Saturday beginning in Richmond's Monroe Park. We'll be sure to update you on how the walk goes this weekend. Hopefully the weather will cooperate!

National Hazing Prevention Week

In conjunction with National Hazing Prevention Week, all 15 R-MC athletic teams got together last night along with coaches, administrators, and other students for a presentation from Dr. Joel Fish. Dr. Fish is a sports psychologist and the Director of The Center for Sport Psychology in Philadelphia. He has worked with many professional and elite athletes as well as countless collegiate athletes across the country.

Dr. Fish explained that while rituals and traditions are a big part of the sports world, we all must ensure that they are carried out in a positive manner and never cross the line. He pointed out that one team in the ODAC will come together more than any other team; that team will have a special chemistry carrying it through the ups and downs of a season. That team will make positive teambuilding a priority and provide constant support for one another. He challenged us to be that team.

We will do our best; only time will tell.

Busy Weekend

This past weekend, campus was bustling with all of our fall sports playing in home contests. Volleyball, field hockey, men's and women's soccer, and football were all in action on Saturday. Our women's basketball players were spotted all over campus supporting our teams. Many of our players chipped in to help with the volleyball tournament Friday and Saturday. When their shifts were over on Saturday, many went out to watch the football game. The football team went to triple overtime but fell to Johns Hopkins. I was in the gym for the volleyball tournament, and students were going back and forth between the volleyball game and football game. It was fun to get the score updates from the football game.

One more month until the start of basketball practice!

First Week of Class

We've made it through the first week of class. It's great to see everyone back on campus. Our players seem to be settling in and getting into their routine. Our upperclassmen have been doing a great job of looking out for our new players and showing them the ropes. Players have been stopping by to chat about their summer and how excited they are about the upcoming season. Our whole team was in Crenshaw this week to watch the first home volleyball match. Many other sports teams were there as well. It's always nice to see teams support each other.

We have a lot of exciting things going on this season . . . more to come soon!

'08-'09 Begins!

Campus is bustling today as the Class of 2012 arrives and gets settled. The rain didn't damper the enthusiam of the "Macon Movers" who were out in full force this morning lending a helping hand to the newcomers. I caught up with a couple of our freshman as they were getting their stuff unpacked. They really have a nice setup! Our upperclassmen stopped by as well to welcome the new additions to our Yellow Jacket family.

When I was walking on campus, you can just feel the energy as the new year gets underway. Our players are excited to get their pre-season going. Several returners were in the gym shooting this afternoon. Just 48 days until the first day of practice!