The Collegian
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Women's basketball is finalist for ‘Together We R’ award

The University of Richmond women’s basketball team is one of three finalists for Russell Athletic’s ‘Together We R’ team award, an official from The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced Monday.

The award honors programs “that have strived to succeed in the face of adversity, overcoming extraordinary circumstances such as an unforeseen team crisis, barrier or unfortunate situation that caused extra stress,” according to a press release.

Richmond’s women’s basketball program has not only had to deal with adversity this past year -- they were struck unforeseen heartbreak.

Ginny Doyle and Natalie Lewis, two former Richmond’s women’s’ basketball coaches, died in an hot-air balloon crash in May 2014. 

As part of the contest, Richmond Athletics produced a video describing, commemorating and remembering Doyle and Lewis.

Head coach Michael Shafer said in the video the support that came from within the Richmond community had been unbelievable.

“I felt like our team galvanized in the idea that we aren’t alone, that it’s OK to be emotional,” Shafer said in the video. “They saw me cry. They saw me, as the coach, vulnerable. And I felt like at that point in time it was OK for everyone to understand that vulnerability is OK.”

WBCA members and fans can vote by “liking” the video for the team until 5 p.m. Friday, March 20, according to the press release.

The WBCA also nominated California University of Pennsylvania and Eastern Michigan University. The winning team will be announced Monday, April 6 in Tampa Bay in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s Four.

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