Wednesday, May 18, 2011

A Hoosier of Our Own

Hoosiers are passionate about their basketball. They know it; they play it; they love it. High school basketball dominates the sports scene in towns throughout Indiana. So it is with great pride that we congratulate Ute Bowman Otley’90 on her induction into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team. The Silver Anniversary team honors the top players in the high school class of 1986.

Ute’s basketball prowess carried over to her Dartmouth career where she was named Ivy Rookie of the Year; earned all Ivy honors twice and played on four Ivy League championship teams. It comes as no surprise that Ute found a home in the Dartmouth Women’s Basketball program. After all… Hoosiers are not the only ones passionate about basketball.

Check out the full release about Ute's award here.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Looking Ahead to 2011-12

There always seems to be a bit of a let down at the end of the season — players, coaches and staff going from spending every minute together and working toward winning games and improving — to suddenly being on your own and left to reflect.

This past year is one we certainly would like to put behind us. I don't think it's one to forget though, because there were many valuable lessons to be learned about perseverance when things don't go your way (ahem, down to nine healthy players) and also the importance of team. There are 13 women on the team and every single one of them learned that she had to be ready at a moment's notice, whenever called upon by her coach.

A big part of that preparation starts just a few weeks after the season ends. The team is already well into its spring workouts, getting faster, stronger and more skilled for the 2011-12 season. Here's an update from Coach Wielgus:

Our season was over, but you would not know it from Mother Nature. Clearly, she has favored winter by nudging spring into summer. Despite the outward appearances of campus our basketball spring has begun. Our strength coach, Bob Miller, athletic trainer, Mike Derosier, and the basketball staff have tweaked the program to include a variety of new training regimens.


What is most remarkable about this spring is the enthusiasm of the six players on campus. They are relentless in their effort to improve their game. I am so excited and invigorated by their love of the game and their commitment to becoming better basketball players. They are working on their game and it is beginning to show. I can’t wait until next year. The best is yet to come…