The Comeback Kids

Koren Schram '09 and Erin Rewalt '99 TU'09 were awesome players.  For four years they made up the fabric of this program and left a great legacy for the athletes that came after them.  They garnered tons of accolades, a few Ivy titles and several trips to the NCAA's.  They were hardworking and lots of fun.  I was so sorry to see them graduate and I knew I would always cherish my time with them.

Then the unbelievable happened. These talented and gifted women came BACCCKKKK!!!  Can you believe it!!! And they came back so different.  They were all grown up and full of life experiences and knowledge. They were no longer wide-eyed players waiting for the next game to break out.  They were coaches ready and eager to take on the challenges of Division I basketball at an Ivy school.  And they are good at the craft of coaching and have mastered the art of keeping the silly paperwork flowing in the right direction (Away from me!).

It is so special to have them back in Hanover.  I love seeing them everyday and because I see them everyday I know things will never be dull.  They are genuine in their love the game of basketball and their love of Dartmouth.  They are wonderful teachers, caring people and truly professional.  They are great ambassadors of Dartmouth women's basketball.  

It is the highlight of my career to work with them. I am beyond blessed and so are our players

Until next time,

Chris

Graduation 2012

Dartmouth has tradition down to a science.  This fact is never more evident than during graduation.   Graduation is beautiful, thoughtful and efficient.  It is as much about fellowship and family as it is about degrees and graduation 2012 was no exception.

Sasha Dosenko was our lone senior and her Dartmouth family gathered to bid her “so long.” on Sunday.  As President Kim said, “At Dartmouth we never say good-bye.”   One of our traditions occurs at the beginning of graduation when the President, the Board of Trustees and faculty walk through two lines formed by the graduates.  It is symbolic of the graduates honoring the people that have taught and mentored them.   

I was watching the procession when I spotted Board of Trustee Gail Boudreaux ’82 break rank and hug Sasha Dosenko’12.    It was a very special moment for me and for the women’s basketball program.  I recruited and coached both these women.   I am very proud of them, but never more proud then when they hugged.  They were two centers from the same program, but generations apart.  One had successfully navigated the real world and one was just entering it.   Despite their differences, they were family and they knew it.

 That’s best of Dartmouth’s traditions!

Until next time,

Chris