In the last several years I have become pretty passionate about women's basketball. That is because my little girl, who isn't so little anymore and has embraced the sport of basketball. I stay involved with my daughter by being an assistant coach for her middle school basketball team and helping her develop her game.
Over the last couple of years my daughter has attended many basketball camps... some local from her school, a good program called "Factory" and this past year two camps at the University of Mary Washington. The Mary Washington camps were exceptionally good.
It became apparent to me last year, that Division III school Mary Washington had a stellar coach in Deena Applebury. In fact, last year, my daughter's coach and I both agreed that Coach Applebury is likely to be recruited to a Division I school soon. That is why I wanted my daughter at her camps, while she was still here.
Apparently, we were not the only people to recognize Deena Applebury's talent. For the 2006/2007 season, Coach Applebury was voted:
- Russell Athletic WBCA National Coach of the Year
- Russell Athletic WBCA Region Coach of the Year
- D3Hoops.com Region Coach of the Year
- Richmond Times-Dispatch State Coach of the Year and
- CAC Coach of the Year
UMW is currently ranked # 1 in their division and are quite worthy of local support. If you like women's basketball, take the opportunity to go watch the Lady Eagles.
Coach Applebury's coaching talent ON the floor is admirable, but it is the off the floor part that really impressed me. While my daughter attended the UMW camps, I saw a fantastic attitude on the part of all the UMW players helping with the camp. Now, it doesn't surprise me that you run into a great person as a college athlete. But when you see consistency in that type of attitude, that can only come down from the top and is truly the mark of a great coach.
We have a great college sports program right here in our own backyard. Go on out and support the UMW Lady Eagles and the great job Coach Applebury is doing.
Jeff Edmisten
The Edmisten TEAM
Keller Williams Realty
(540) 538-7222
jedmisten@kw.com
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