Cover Story
National C hamps! Lady Quakers have ‘magical March’ en route to title
“They played like a team I always dreamed about.”
—Coach Jerry Scheve
PHOTOs BY john SwarTzel and randy sarvis
J
erry Scheve is a man of ritual and tending wins that reflected the poise and intensity alluded to details, and the occasion of the Lady to in Scheveʼs message. Quakersʼ “They played March 20 matchup like a team I always with Bowdoin Coldreamed about,” lege for the NCAA said Scheve. His talDivision III national ented teams in 2002 championship was no and 2003 advanced exception. to the “Elite 8” and As he had before “Sweet 16” rounds each game for the past of the tournament 10 years, the coach but fell short of their wrote a message in grandiose goal of the locker room for winning the national the team to see before title. entering the basketball “Once we got in court. It simply stated, the playoffs, they “Play with the Poise raised their level and Intensity of a Naof play to what we tional Champion.” always thought it His 2003-04 could be,” he addwomenʼs basketball ed. “They took us team took the sentithrough March on a ment to heart and manmagical run.” ifested his mantra on If ever there was the court during a tria team that seized umphant tournament upon an opportunity, run that was nothing this was the one. less than thrilling. The Lady QuakThe Lady Quakers hadnʼt won a ers became the first close game all year Wilmington College while finishing the team to win a national regular season with championship when an 18-6 record. they captured the Ohio When Otterbein Athletic Conference College soundly deTournament title and feated WC in the roared through six next to last game of games of the NCAA Tara Rausch drives for the basket in the OAC title the regular season, Division III National game. The All-American was named “Final Four” the Lady Quakers Tournament with — MVP. needed a win in the often heartstopping — season finale to sim2 Spring/Summer 2004
ply gain the number three seed in the OAC Tourney. “On the morning of the last regular season game, I sensed we were ready to achieve,” Scheve recalled. “Looking in the playersʼ eyes, I saw a focus I hadnʼt seen this year. From that moment on, we played like a national championship team. I had confidence this team was going to do what it took to win every game.” The coach stressed it wasnʼt only the seniors or the starters that raised their level of play. It was everyone associated with the team. “There wasnʼt just one reason — there were 35 reasons: players, coaches, managers and trainers,” he added. “Our success resulted from an accumulation of things done well. It took teamwork and un-
BY RANDY SARVIS
In the words of her coach, Amy Kincer “played like an AllAmerican throughout the playoffs.”
selfishness to achieve what they did — this team seized the opportunity.” President Dan DiBiasio described the national title as something “rare and wonderful.” “The greatest joy for all of us who are blessed to work with young people —whether it is in the classroom or on the court — is to see them make the most of their God-given talents and do so with such passion and purpose,” he said. “You made history at Wilmington College and you gave us great joy that will live on in our memories.” The president said their accomplishment represents more than a triumph in the here and now. Indeed, the elements they mastered — hard work, perseverance, tenacity, teamwork and focus — are keys to their future successes. “Winning a national championship is a perfect ending to the season, but winning a championship is not an end, itʼs a means for a much bigger end,” DiBiasio said. “I hope youʼll apply the lessons of this championship season The LINK 3