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...