Season's Greetings

More Snow!

The fall semester is quickly coming to a close with the start of exams tomorrow.  With two snow storms in 3 days, our students have had beautiful distraction out their windows!

Congratulations F&M Men's Soccer!

A big congratulations to our men's soccer team on their first ever Centennial Championship!  Best of luck to the team as they move into NCAA play!

Leadership in Action

Thanks to a partnership between the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC), our team recently had the opportunity to take part in the USMC's Leadership in Action Workshop.  We spent some time learning about and discussing the Marine Corps' Leadership Traits and their Leadership Principles.  Our players did a great job relating the discussion to what we do together as a team on the basketball court.  After an insightful conversation, we headed outside for a team workout led by the Marines that put the leadership traits and principles to the test.  Each group was given a set of tasks to complete within certain parameters, only to have the situation change once they were in it.  Team members had to communicate clearly with each other in a pressure filled situation.   All in all, it was a great evening.  A big thank you to the Marine Corps officers who led our workshop and shared their experiences with us.  Check out our Facebook page for more pictures.

#tbt - First F&M Teams

For our last #tbt post of the Fall, we have a few pictures from some of the first women's basketball teams at F&M.  Email me (kirsten.richter@fandm.edu) if you can identify any of the Diplomat players!

The best kind of pride . . .

#tbt - February 19, 2006

The Dips won a hard fought road victory at Johns Hopkins on February 19, 2006.  F&M outscored the Blue Jays by 4 in the second half to eek out an exciting
1 point win - 65-64.

From top left going clockwise: #20 Christy Strunk '06, #33 Dana Johns '06, #24 Sarah Meisenberg '09, and #22 Brittany Braxton '08

5 Ways To Think Like A Champion by Jon Gordon

1.  Champions Expect to Win - When they walk on the court . . . or in a classroom, they expect to win.  In fact, they are surprised when they don't win.  They expect success and their positive beliefs often lead to positive actions and outcomes.  They win in their mind first.

2.  Champions Celebrate the Small Wins - By celebrating the small wins champions gain the confidence to go after big wins.  Big wins and big success happen through the accumulation of many small victories.  This doesn't mean champions become complacent.  Rather, with the right kind of celebration and reinforcement, champions work harder, practice more and believe they can do greater things.

3.  Champions Don't Make Excuses When They Don't Win - They don't focus on the faults of others.  They focus on what they can do better.  They see their mistakes and defeats as opportunities for growth. As a result they become stronger, wiser and better.

4.  Champions Focus on What They Get to Do, Not What They Have to Do - They see their life and work as a gift not an obligation.  They know that if they want to achieve a certain outcome they must commit to and appreciate the process.  They may not love every minute of their journey but their attitude and will helps them develop their skill.

5.  Champions Believe They Will Experience More Wins in the Future - Their faith is greater than their fear.  Their positive energy is greater than the chorus of negativity.  Their certainty is greater than all the doubt.  Their passion and purpose are greater than their challenges.  In spite of their situation champions believe their best days are ahead of them, not behind them.


Taken from Jon Gordon's weekly newsletter. Check out the full post on Jon Gordon's website.

#tbt - 1982-1983 Team

The 1982-1983 team was part of the foundation of the women's basketball program here at F&M. The college admitted women in 1969 and many women's sports programs began throughout the 70s.  Our current team thanks all those Dips who have come before us.   We will continue working to always make you proud!

1982-1983 Franklin & Marshall Women's Basketball 

#43 Karen Steidle wins the jump ball

Fummer 5k - Saturday, October 5

We are excited to host our 3rd annual Fummer 5k during F&M's Homecoming & Family Weekend on Saturday, October 5.  The race begins at 9am out at the Baker campus fields.  Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome.

More details and registration info is available online.  We hope you will join us!

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#tbt - F&M Class of 2005

F&M's Class of 2005 Maura Lentz (#3) and Lauren Dodrill (#31) were talented basketball players and great teammates for the Dips.  

Lentz is in the F&M record books in the top 20 for both career 3pt FG made and career 3pt FG %.  Dodrill was a 2005 All Centennial Conference Honorable Mention pick. She ranks in the F&M Top 20 for career FT made and career rebounding average.  Dodrill is also 8th in career rebounds. 

Check back next week for another #tbt.

Convocation 2013

On Tuesday, F&M celebrated the official start of the 2013-2014 with Convocation.  The Class of 2017 donned their house cords during the ceremony when they were officially welcomed into the F&M community.  The faculty speaker, Professor Carol Auster, from the sociology department had great advice for the Class of 2017 and everyone at F&M.  She spoke about the 4 Ps:

Possibilities:  F&M is a place full of possibilities - academically, in extracurriculars, and in friendships. Possibilities at F&M can lead to lifelong passions.

Passion:  you arrive with some and find new passions while you are here.  More importantly, is passion in the moment - participate, interact, respond to fellow students.  Be enthusiastic, be fully energized in that moment.

Persistence: you need it to succeed academically, to study a big longer, to polish written work just one more time.

Posse - from the idea behind the Posse Foundation - everyone needs their own F&M posse.  Your posse can open your mind to new ideas, celebrate achievements, support and help with your persistence, help you smile and find humor in life.

Finally, be inspired to make F&M the place that you want it to be.


Great advice to start the school year.  Professor Auster's full remarks are online.

Summer Fun Part II

Emma Lisle '14 just wrapped up her internship at the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT.  We are all looking forward to her return to campus to hear more about her amazing experience there this summer.

Summer Fun

Our players have been doing all sorts of cool stuff this summer - internships, traveling to new places, and of course preparing for our upcoming basketball season.  Check out our Facebook page to see some pictures from the summer!

Kara Bacile '15 got to meet a former VT Hokie at Redskins training camp

Check it out . . .

Have you seen F&M's 225th Anniversary video?  It captures many of the events during the 2012-2013 year that celebrated the College's 225th anniversary.   Check it out!  

Camp Time

The month of June is full of camps for players of all ages.  I have worked a couple and observed a couple others, spanning a range of ages.  No matter the age, I always love to see players who go out of their way to encourage a teammate (or fellow camper), who find joy in making a good pass, and who really like to work hard to improve in the little things.  All are factors of what makes a great teammate!

A Short Course in Human Relations

Over the weekend I was reading a John Maxwell book and came across this:

A Short Course in Human Relations

The least important word:  I

The most important word:  We

The two most important words:  Thank you.

The three most important words: 
All is forgiven.

The four most important words:  What is your opinion?

The five most important words:  You did a good job.

The six most important words:  I want to understand you better.


This is so applicable to the interactions between teammates and how a team works together.  I'm sure we can all think of some situations where we could have put some of these words to better use.  The more a team relies on this, the stronger it will be.

Campus Snapshots

Campus is quiet now with the start of summer.  It is a beautiful day, so I went for a walk around campus this morning and took a few pictures.   In a short time, campus will be buzzing with more energy when a number of students return to do summer research projects, local internships, and all sorts of pretty interesting stuff!  We'll be sure to keep you posted on what our players are doing this summer.  

Congratulations F&M Baseball!

Congratulations to the F&M Baseball team on winning the Centennial Conference Championship over the weekend.  They did it in grand fashion winning the decisive game by the score of 16-1.  Now it is on to regionals May 15-19.  Check out the full recap at GoDiplomats.com.

End of the Year

The spring semester is rapidly coming to a close.  Exams started today and our students are finishing their final papers, projects, and studying for their exams.  Yesterday our athletic department honored and thanked all our student-athletes for their hard work throughout the year.  Senior student-athletes were recognized as well as a number of award winners.  Last night our team got together for a study break and our final team dinner of the year.  In less than two weeks our four seniors will be walking across the stage at graduation.  Check back for graduation pictures and updates.

 Check out our Facebook page for more photos: Facebook.com/DiplomatsWBasketball

Checking in with Alexa Barbush '13

Alexa Barbush '13 recently attended the WBCA's So You Want to Be a Coach program in New Orleans in conjunction with the WBCA Convention.  Alexa writes:

This month I was given the opportunity to attend a once in a lifetime coaching program.  I knew it was going to be a great experience and beneficial to my future as a coach, but I truly had no idea what was in store for me!  The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) selected me for their 11th annual "So You Want to be a Coach" program held in conjunction with the WBCA National Convention in New Orleans.  Fifty other graduating collegiate women's basketball players from across the US (DI, DII, DIII, and NAIA) embarked upon the same journey.  A majority of our sessions were about recruiting, the administrative side to coaching, how to get hired, skill development, the importance of knowing the rules and how to balance work and life.  Some of the college coaches who spoke were Oklahoma State assistant coach Richard Henderson, Nebraska assistant coach Shimmy Gray-Miller, University of Alabama-Birmingham head coach Audra Smith and Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie.  Coach Mary Beth Spirk from Moravian College spoke to us representing DIII basketball, which was nice getting to see a familiar face!  Each and every coach was very intriguing and taught us important things encompassing all aspects of coaching, but also lessons regarding life in general.  We were able to implement some of the skills we obtained during mock interviews with head coaches and had a hands on experience running a youth clinic at a local middle school.

Although our days began with very early mornings and were not complete until late at night, there was still time to experience the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the Women's Final Four and the city of New Orleans.  I was able to attend the New Orleans Salute where the Final Four teams and coaching staffs were introduced and honored for their successful seasons.  I was also able to explore some of the New Orleans unique little shops.  They had voodoo dolls in every shop, which was a little weird.  I was told before I left I had to get a famous New Orleans dessert called a beignet.  I ate three and let me tell you, I was a little sick but it was worth it.  I would go back to New Orleans just for that.  The Final Four and coaching convention connects many big name coaches and players, but I would say the most exciting person I met was Brittney Griner.  My group and I ran into her at the hotel during one of our sessions.  I've been around a lot of tall people but at 6'8'' she definitely takes the cake!  Overall, I learned so much about coaching but more importantly made fantastic connections and lifelong friends.  

WBCA Convention and Final Four

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Convention and the NCAA Final Four in New Orleans.  I attended a number of great sessions with topics related to offensive and defensive execution, mental skills, leadership training, recruiting and many more.  I soaked up a lot of information!  On Sunday night I attended the Final Four games and then Tuesday the National Championship game.  I love going to the Final Four games because there is so much energy and excitement in the building.  A big thanks to the WBCA for putting on such a great convention!

The National Anthem prior to the National Championship Game

The National Championship game tips off

HOOP THOUGHTS: JOHN MAXWELL ON EXCELLENCE

HOOP THOUGHTS: JOHN MAXWELL ON EXCELLENCE: I was going through some of my John Maxwell notes (and I have tons) and came across a passout he authored on "Excellence" -- it...

Happy Spring!

It certainly doesn't really feel like spring yet with cold temperatures and flurries often in the forecast.  But spring is here for our basketball team.  This is the time of year when conversations, thoughts and goals start turning to next season.  Individuals again start preparing for off-season workouts, and the possibilities of a new and exciting season are once again in our thoughts.  While we still have about 5 weeks of classes remaining this semester, and certainly don't want to wish time away, we are very excited about what lies ahead and the possibilities before us.  #godips

Great ESPNW Blog Post by Chiney Ogwumike

Chiney Ogwumike, a Stanford Women's Basketball player, has been blogging for ESPNW.  Her latest post reflects on her team's PAC-12 Championship:

The beauty of basketball is that it is a team sport.  When one person struggles, another person has the opportunity to step up.  And that person was our point guard, Amber "Bam" Orrange.  Point guard is a natural position of leadership.  All season, Amber has been a steady force for us.  As a quiet, shy freshman last year, from day one Amber was challenged to become a vocal leader for us.  But on Sunday night, her game did all the talking.

I took my last shot toward the end of the second half, and immediately after, during a timeout, Coach Tara told me, "Chiney, you cannot do this by yourself."  A big part of leadership is being able to let go, for the right reasons.  No offense to the Mamba, but I could have gone all Kobe, forcing things to the point of no return (hey sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.)

But again in all seriousness, I learned in that moment that leadership is shared in moments of adversity.  The ball most rightfully deserved to be in Amber's hands.  She was having her best night.  We trusted in her playmaking abilities . . . and she delivered.  Amber had a momentous steal and game winning layup!  


Click here to read the full blog post on ESPNW.

Thank You Seniors!

On Saturday we honored our four seniors - Alexa Barbush, Colleen Bott, Tracy Hahn, and Elizabeth Snyder - before and after our game against Dickinson.  All four have contributed so much to our program over the course of their Diplomat Basketball careers - their positive energy, dedication, and bright smiles have meant so much to our entire team.  All four have also given their time and talents to many different facets of our campus community.  Thank you Alexa, Colleen, Tracy and Liz!

Play4Kay

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Play4Kay game last night by wearing pink and donating to a great cause.  The 2013 Play 4Kay initiative (formerly known as WBCA Pink Zone) is an opportunity for a nation of coaches to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for research on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. 

Since its inception in 2007, the Play 4Kay initiative has raised over $2 million to support women's cancer research. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is the official charity of the initiative. 

More info is online:  www.play4kay.org

Being a Great Team Member

I've been following Jon Gordon on Twitter (@jongordon11) and he consistently has some great info and quotes.  Recently, he posted 9 Way to Be a Great Team Member.  The full post can be found on his blog.  Below is an abbreviated version.

1. Set the Example - Instead of worrying about the lack of performance, productivity and commitment of others you simply decide to set the example and show your team members what hard work, passion, and commitment looks like.  Focus on being your best every day.  When you do this, you'll raise the standards and performance of everyone around you.

2.  Use Your Strengths to Help the Team - The most powerful way you can contribute to your team is to use your gifts and talents to contribute to the team's vision and goals.  Without your effort, focus, talent and growth the team won't accomplish its mission.  This means you have an obligation to improve so you can improve your team.

3.  Share Positive Contagious Energy - Research shows emotions are contagious and each day you are infecting your team with either positive energy or negative energy.  You can be a germ or a big dose of Vitamin C.

4.  Know and Live the Magic Ratio - High performing teams have more positive interactions than negative interactions.  3:1 is the ratio to remember.  Teams that experience interactions at a ratio equal or greater than 3:1 are more productive and higher performing than those with a ratio of less than 3:1.

5.  Put the Team First - Great team players always put the team first.  They work hard for the team.  They develop themselves for the team.  They serve the team.  Their motto is whatever it takes to be better.  They don't take credit.  They give credit to the team.

6.  Build Relationships - Relationships are the foundation upon which winning teams are built and great team members take time to connect, communicate and care to build strong bonds and relationships with all their team members.

7.  Trust and Be Trusted -  You can't have a strong team without strong relationships.  And you can't have strong relationships without trust.  Great team members trust their teammates and most of all their team members trust them.  Trust is earned through integrity, consistency, honesty, transparency, vulnerability, and dependability.

8.  Hold Them Accountable - Sometimes our team members fall short of the team's expectations.  Sometimes they make mistakes.  Sometimes they need a little tough love.  Great team members hold each other accountable.  They push, challenge and stretch each other to be their best.

9.  Be Humble - Great team members are humble.  They are willing to learn, improve and get better.  They are open to their team member's feedback and suggestions and don't let their ego get in the way of their growth of the team's growth.

Faculty & Professional Staff Appreciation Day

This past Saturday was our Faculty & Professional Staff (FPS) Appreciation Day.  We are thankful for all the support the FPS give our student-athletes throughout the year, and were happy to recognize them in this small way.  Thank you to all the FPS who came to the game and cheered us on!

Hoop Boost: PERFORM IN THE MOMENT

Hoop Boost: PERFORM IN THE MOMENT: Game performances occur in the present, not in the past or future. Although recalling positive memories of past performances and visuali...

Alumnae Game

This past Saturday was our annual alumnae game and celebration.  We had a spirited alumnae game with a number of alums from various years returning.  It's always special for our current players to meet and spend time with alums from years past.  Thank you to everyone who made the trip back to Mayser.  We hope to see you again next year!

HOOP THOUGHTS: DALE BROWN ON THE POWER TO CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE

HOOP THOUGHTS: DALE BROWN ON THE POWER TO CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE: The following comes from "A Collection of Thoughts on Life" by Dale Brown .  I believe in this philosophy because I worked for Coach Brow...

Happy 2013!

Happy New Year!  Our team has been back on campus and hard at work for the past week.  We are excited to jump back into conference play with 15 conference games ahead of us.  In between our practices, we have found a little time for some TEAM fun.  More pictures are on our Facebook page.

TEAM Ice Skating

Snow covered Hartman Green

TEAM Dinner