Meet the Staff - Head Coach Michele Durand

I am beginning my eighth year at Ohio Northern. Prior to coming to ONU I was the head coach at Bluffton University for 11 years and an assistant coach there for 1 year. Coaching women's basketball has been a dream job for me. I love basketball and working with young people so it has been an ideal situation for me. I have especially enjoyed my time at Ohio Northern. I have the opportunity to work with wonderful people at a place that is 100% supportive of athletics. What I especially like about ONU is the commitment to academics and athletics. The athletes here are successful in the classroom and on the court/field.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I especially love animals. My dog Samantha (Sam) is pictured above. She is 15 years old now so she is not as active as she used to be but she has been a wonderful companion. She has been with me most of my coaching career. I'm not sure what I will do without her. In addition, I like spending time outdoors especially on the golf course. I am not a good golfer by any means but I enjoy the challenge. Reading a good book is also something I enjoy when I get the time.

Fundamental Camp 2008

Every summer we conduct a girls basketball camp for 5 days/4 nights on campus in June. Almost all of our athletes work the camp which makes for some good stories....

The "TRIPOD" is infamous.....

Camp counselors during our awards ceremony

Right: Lauren Cassell (Vandalia Butler) hands out her team awards

Below: Emmy Culbertson takes a break from coaching for a pic

Left: Marissa Steppe (Troy Christian) takes a break with her team while Britt Bogart (Above / Northwood HS) questions a call during a game

Summer Reading Lists....

One other ground rule for the team retreat is that all team members have to read an assigned summer reading. Here are some examples you may want to read sometime.....

Past readings:
The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Words from the Heart by Robin Roberts

Summer 2008:
The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

If you are not a big reader, the Ultimate Gift was made into a movie; the Last Lecture is something you can watch on youtube. Either way, any of the above could potentially cause you to stop and think just for a minute; perhaps even change your life....happy reading!

Annual Team Retreats

Each September we embark on our annual women's basketball team retreat...the ground rules are simple: it has to be off-campus, there has to be a lot of activities, and finally, a whole lot of laughs! This is a great weekend for our team to open up and get to know each other as well as take the first steps in laying the groundwork for our season....we have found this weekend to be such a huge part in cultivating a community of hard work, teamwork, and goal setting


Heather Armbruster (Akron Hoban) shows off her winning bowling form....

Getting energy out....Tricia Fuller (Lakota West), Alisha Rinehart (Lima / Perry) and Megan Cevasco (Copley) show off their moves

Above: Coach Durand leads our team discussion in the Culbertson "party barn; " our captains lead an activity outside....

When the sun goes down, the DJ inspires the moves....

Bonfires and marshmallows are a must!

A little singing from the chorus!

Las Vegas

Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada

We try to take a team trip every 2 years. Here's a team shot at the beautiful Bellagio Hotel on the Las Vegas strip. The Bellagio is famous for their floral displays during the Christmas season; each display details a certain theme for the Holiday season.....funny thing was that the theme was actually polar bears - how fitting for our team picture!

This year you will find the polar bears in Florida, with stops in Orlando and Daytona Beach!