A Look Back ...

I can’t believe that I am starting my 14th season here at B.C. When I first took the job I thought I’d be here maybe four or five years and then move on but I have chosen to stay b/c of the great student-athletes that Bridgewater draws. Unlike, Division I and Division II athletes our student-athletes pay to play and they do it with a passion. They are here to get a solid education and participate in a sport they love. So as the season approaches (only 29 more days until the first practice!!), I decided to take some time to reflect on some of the great moments since Coach Willi took over in 1996. These are my choices (with input from Coach Willi). Prior to 1996 Coach Laura Mapp was the head coach …I KNOW there are a lot of memorable moments from that era as well because I have heard the stories!! I wasn’t around for those so I’m only sharing the ones I have witnessed!! Here goes …

#1.) 2007 O.D.A.C. Championship!! After an up and down season, we entered the tournament as the #6 seed. Coach Willi and I both knew we could do it …we had been so close in games throughout the season. We had seven freshmen on the roster and only one senior …young and inexperienced. But we did it!! After losing to our cross-town rival EMU on two occasions by a total of 12 points we knew it’d be a fight …we prevailed and upset the #3 seed 51-47. Then we took on #2 seed Randolph Macon. It was an incredible atmosphere!! We won 70-64!! For the championship game we had a tremendous group of B.C. supporters and despite a last ditch effort by VWC, the #1 seed, we won, 57-56. We became the lowest seed to ever win the title. I will never forget it!!
2.) Another championship moment …winning the 1999 title in overtime against Randolph Macon!! Kind of weird but that team also only had one senior and seven freshmen …see the correlation? Spooky. Anyway …It was another amazing experience. I remember that senior Connie Ritchie literally put the team on “her back” and carried us to the victory. When our junior Amanda Kyger fouled out in regulation, we had freshmen Sarah Hagood and Lindsey Coleman step in and make great contributions. Although I don’t remember all the details I can still feel the excitement as Coach Willi and I captured the first title under our helm.
3.) The 2005-06 teams run to the NCAA “Sweet 16.” We had lost to Randolph Macon in the championship game so we did not receive the automatic bid but the NCAA did award as an at-large and did we ever make the most of it!! We traveled to Mt. Saint Mary’s College in Newburgh, NY and were to play Bates College. We won 71-69 behind the lone senior Marsha Kinder’s 28 points. Katy Herr had a double-double (11 points and 11 rebounds), and Shannon Scales had 11 points. Shannon came off the bench to hit back-to-back “3’s” that put us ahead. After romping, Baruch 72-49 we were off to the “Sweet 16.” We traveled to the University of Southern Maine and lost 68-55 but we put up a great fight. A win wasn’t in the cards but we played so hard …Traveling to Maine (my first time there) was a great experience…It was cold but a memorable trip.
4.) 1997 and the Bridgewater College women’s basketball teams first-ever NCAA trip!! We had received an at-large bid after losing to Guilford in the ODAC semi-finals. Not only did we get a bid but we got to host!! Students were away on spring break but the community really stepped in and made it an incredible atmosphere. We defeated Christopher Newport and then lost to Thomas More.
5.) January 20, 2001 vs. Eastern Mennonite. This was the 100th win in our coaching time together. We defeated the Royal 90-63 on their home court. Across the bench from us all our fans had signs that read “100” …to win that 100th game and to do it on your cross-town rivals court was a special moment in my memory.
6.) Defeating Roanoke in the ODAC semi-finals in the 1999 ODAC tournament. Our games with the Maroons are always fierce and this one was no different. We had lost to them twice during the regular season and to come out and play like we did was incredible. I can still vividly see Connie Richie at the top of the key, driving the lane, drawing Amanda Osborn’s defense and Amanda nailing 3’s. RC coach, Susan Dunagan, looking down at our bench like “where did that come from?” Amanda finished the night with 23 points.
7.) Another vivid memory for me is our January 3, 2007 game vs. Randolph Macon. It was a great game to coach in and an even better game to just sit and watch…I have watched the game and listened to Coach Bill Phipps play-by-play a few times. We won in double-overtime, 83-81. Although there is a great rivalry with the two teams, it was fun to watch players “go at it” but yet, have so much respect for each other. Marsha Kinder had 20 points in that game and Katy Herr had 18 points and played every minute. I can still see Katy and RMC’s National Player of the Year Meagan Sylva going head to head. It was a tremendous atmosphere to be a part of!!
8.) February 4, 2006 vs. Guilford. The Eagles gave Coach Jean Willi her 200th win with an 87-52 victory over the Quakers. Again fans held up “200” signs in her honor and it was just something to say I’m proud to be a part of it!
9.) Hosting the NCAA “Sweet 16” during the 1997-98 season. The students were away on break and we PACKED the house!! I can remember sitting in the stands during the first game (Univ. of Wisconsin-Oskkosh and Austin Univ.) and whenever any of our players walked into the gym the sound of the crowd was deafening. It was standing room only and we had packed the place. We played the second game against the overall #1 seed University of Washington – St. Louis. Another thing I remember they kicked our tail! That was on their way to their 3rd straight national championship and they had a junior who was a 2-time National Player of the Year (she actually won it her senior year too). Although the game did not come out like we had planned …I will never forget the energy, enthusiasm, and passion that were in our gym that weekend!!
10.) This is only somewhat basketball related but I have to say our tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii is one experience I will never forget!! We had the opportunity to play two quality teams and get to see one of our states that only a few people ever get the chance to visit. The adventure was incredible and after all the fundraising that we had to do I swore I’d never try to raise money to go back there but when I think of walking on the beach with Diamond Head in the background and the sun rising over it …yep, I’d do it all again!!

So there you have some of my fondest memories since I arrived here at Bridgewater. There are other trips I could’ve talked about too (Las Vegas, New York City, Boston, and Atlanta). And who could ever forget the Halloween costume parties we have done?? I fondly remember some GREAT costumes (to name a few: the Pink ladies and Sandy from Grease, clowns, nerds, “the bench warmers,” and players dressed like coaches). Then there have been games played on bus trips …Wow, I’m thinking I have another blog to write in the near future about all that stuff.

Until next time …

GO EAGLES!!

Greetings Eagle fans!!
It was an exciting weekend here at Bridgewater as women’s soccer, field hockey, and football all had home games!! It was a great day to be an Eagle as all those teams won!! What’s special about the BC community is how the athletes support one another in their sports. It’s always great to see our players at the fall sports showing their Eagle Pride!!

The women’s basketball team always works the gate for the first home game. It’s kind of “nerve wracking” as everything is trying to get set up but for the most part everything went fairly smooth. We have signup sheets to work and it usually always falls on the freshmen class. Jordan (Burkholder), who has experience at the gate, was the clicker-counter.

Emileigh (Lambert) and Jenny (Logan) didn’t have much luck selling our t-shirts and sweatshirts but when it’s 85 outside who wants a sweatshirt? We’ll have more luck as the weather gets cooler …

Hard to believe the season is right around the corner …Only 35 more days until the first practice!!