2nd annual Run for the Roses Charity Event

Sunday, May 2nd, we participated in the 2nd Annual Run for the Roses 5k run/walk held on the campus of Ohio Northern. This event is hosted by the ONU Athletic training staff and athletic training students in honor of two special ONU people who have battled Cystic Fibrosis.

Thankfully, the weather held out but the infamous Ada wind was in full swing. Here's the group before the big run on the green monster.


Above, Jeanne Bockey and Katie Mengos finish strong....followed by below, Katie Jones.

Erin Waehner closing in on the finish...(above) and below, Megan Porter and Morgan Dumbaugh always have enough energy to make faces at the camera!

Above, Britt Bogart and Joanna Snyder finish it out followed by Coach Durand closing in on the line

All smiles after when it's over!

As along as this event goes on at ONU, women's basketball will always be involved. This event is a great way to give back to the campus community and for such a great cause. My goal is when our athletes leave here, they continue to get involved in races for charity. When they see the big picture, they start to recognize that it truly is a blessing to be able to run/walk when so many persons don't have that opportunity.... It helps gain perspective about what we take for granted sometimes and that we can all do more to help those around us.

Great job ladies...Coach Terrell

For more information on this event, please visit: www.onurunforroses.com

Spring time with the Polar Bears

Hi, it's Coach Terrell and I have been on a serious hiatus with my blog updating duties! Now with my recent foot surgery and being away from the office, I have made it my mission this week to catch up all our friends, family and future polar bears on what has been happening with ONU Women's Basketball.

Let's go back aways....Our season came to a close with our loss in the conference tourney semi-finals to Capital at the end of February.

Both Coach Durand and I were pretty devastated with the ending of our season. This group, albeit young, did not finish our season with our best game. Certainly credit goes to our regular season champs, Capital, but as coaches, it's hard to lose. And, it's especially hard to lose when you don't play your best game. Regardless, we had a good season with our bunch and have so much to look forward too in the future. We give our team the month of March off and away from the coaching staff - it's a much needed break for all parties! It affords a chance to recoup our bodies and minds and approach the springtime with more energy emotionally and physically.

We put a closure to our season with our annual banquet which also serves as a launching pad into the spring....we celebrate our season, but then step forward with fresh perspective into the Springtime of what we want to accomplish next year. Today, I am recapping our banquet:


Here's the coaching staff with Captains Brittany Bogart, Kara Dysert, and Heather Armbruster (below right)





Here's the captains minus the coaching staff...both Coach and I would say that is a better pic! We tend to avoid the camera action!
Here they are all dressed up! It's nice to celebrate our season and fun to see the ladies in something other than basketball sweats! Besides honoring our season, special recognition was awarded to:

Most improved: Allie Drewes
Captains: Britt Bogart, Kara Dysert, Heather Armbruster
OAC 2nd team: Jeanne Bockey
OAC Honorable Mention: Kara Dysert
OAC Conference tournament team: Morgan Dumbaugh
Unsung hero award: Katie Mengos and Brittany Schroeder

Community Service - A staple in our program...

Once again around the New Year, we were able to travel to Lima South Middle school and conduct a basketball clinic with the 7th and 8th grade teams. This is our chance as a team and program to give back to our community through the game that has given our players so many opportunities. We have worked in this partnership with Lima South for the last 4 years, and each year, we are reminded how great it is to help someone else, especially with the game of basketball! We have our players put together the plan for the clinic and implement the skills, drills, and games. Each member is responsible for doing her share to make the event a success. I was really proud of our team for working so well together on this project, but most importantly, for working so well with these middle schoolers. Everyone had a great time and a lot of laughs!

Erin Waehner, Jo Snyder and Kara Dysert work some ball handling drills (above)

Left, Steph Hicks had the passing drills down, and Katie Jones, Heather Armbruster and Britt Schroeder offer some guidance.

Above, we are getting ready for some full court ball handling, while below, Britt Bogart cheers on her basket, along with Lauren Cassell and Allie Drewes and Kara Dysert during the lay-up competition (s).

This was my favorite part of the morning as it required our team to actually demonstrate a proper defensive stance...below, our middle schoolers get a little appreciation of the effort involved in staying low!

After our session is over, we answer questions as a team. Here, Coach Durand offers insight into our program and what it takes to be successful in college. Our basketball team did an excellent job representing Ohio Northern University, and our Women's Basketball program. I believe our team are excellent role models to these youngsters.

Our staff has maintained this relationship with Lima South Middle school because we believe in community service. And, we believe that it's a win-win situation. Our players also get a whole lot from this experience too. When it's all said and done, there are a lot of laughs and an appreciation of a game that can always bring people together.

All Smiles....Lima South Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Girls Basketball and Ohio Northern University Women's Basketball

Holiday Happenings for the Polar Bears...

We are back into basketball mode after a nice break following our Defiance home victory on December 22nd. We came back to campus on Sunday, December 27th to prepare for 2 tough non-league games this week against Adrian and Wittenberg. It's been nice to focus on basketball as well as enjoy time together as a team. One annual event we do over the Holiday break is our basketball Christmas party....this year's theme for the Dirty Santa game was to find a gift which starts with the letter "N." There was some creativity. Below Brooke Hayden shows off the New Balance shoes (signed by Men's Basketball Coach John Rhodes) that Kara Dysert contributed as her "N" gift...needless to say Brooke was not all that happy about her gift, nor did anyone feel the need to "steal" it from her as the game went on!

Some more pics from our party... Jo Snyder, Steph Hicks, Erin Waehner and Brooke Hayden (below)

Above: Jeanne Bockey, Katie Mengos and Morgan Dumbaugh
Below: Lauren Cassell and Brittany Schroeder

Team shot above...Overall, there was really good food and a whole lots of laughs. In fact, the ladies wanted me to display a picture of the gift I received during the game on this blog posting... And, well, it's best that I refrain :) I think I won't live that down for awhile! Happy Holidays!! ~ Coach Terrell

TOP 5 FALL QUARTER GPA

Fall quarter GPA's are in - Congrats to OUR TOP POLAR BEARS:

1. Brooke Hayden
4.0 GPA
Engineering

2. Joanna Snyder
4.0 GPA
Math Education

3. Katie Mengos
3.72 GPA
Pharmacy

4. Stephanie Hicks
3.52 GPA
Chemistry



CONGRATULATIONS LADIES !!!

Turkey Day Reflections

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY REFLECTIONS....

For as long as I can remember, my family has always got together at my grandma's for Thanksgiving dinner.
I am very thankful for my family, friends, being able to continue my basketball passion, and of course my dog, Jake :)

Jeanne Bockey

Junior

Education Major

Team Potluck 2009 - Kick off to our Season!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! I am way behind on blog updates, so now that I have some time to breathe this Thanksgiving break, I am going to get everyone caught up to speed on women's basketball happenings!

Who are some of these faces? I was able to snag a few family shots...

top right: Caroline, Joanna, Laura & Ed Snyder.

bottom right: Margret, Lauren & Jeff Cassell.

bottom left: Brittany and Dave Bogart.

These pics are from November 7th's family potluck. Every fall before we kick off our season we invite all friends and family of our program to our Black and Orange day potluck. This event accomplishes several things. First, it's a chance for Coach Durand to go over program expectations. This is important as it keeps everyone on the same page. Secondly, it's a chance for our families to be together (see a few of the lucky mug shots above!)With this being said, our parents have a chance to get to know other families in the program. This was exceptionally important this year because we have soooo many new people in the program! Finally, it's a chance to eat really good food - especially the dessert portion of the table. Thanks to all of our parents who helped make this event happen!