Women's Basketball Sends Thanksgiving Cheer from V.I.
Nov 23 | Women's Basketball
Happy Thanksgiving from the 2006 Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands! The Rutgers women's basketball team arrived on Tuesday to the beautiful island bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean and on the Caribbean Sea to the south. We are staying on the south side with amazing views of the sea, a beautiful shade of blue.
We just finished a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie. While we miss our families, the team is a family in itself and much love and laughter filled the room Thursday evening. In addition to our wonderful players and staff, we were joined by friends. Coach Stringer said a few words and always her insight had the room silent as we recalled family at home. A wonderful time was had by all. Normally, after the team finishes a meal one member will raise their hand and ask to be excused. Not tonight, they didn't. Why? Simple, they had study hall following dinner.
Thursday morning, the Scarlet Knights arose to grab breakfast and head out on the sea. Where? A catamaran tour that saw many of the players' don snorkeling gear for the first time. We were able to view an old ship and watch as schools of fish swam under us. Fear was soon replaced by glee.
One thing many players do seem to be both intrigued by and a bit timid about are the iguanas. They roam quite a bit and the young women are not sure what to think of the unusual creatures. I did learn, however, one reason the iguanas seem to be drawn to our team: the color scarlet! One local explained to me, the iguanas move to the color red and sometimes strike at it. Now, we know!
Prior to dinner, the players practiced for two hours at a local high school in preparation for Thursday's game. A reporter for the local paper came by to talk to Coach C. Vivian Stringer. Mike Potter covered the tournament - one of the biggest events on the island - two years ago and like Coach Stringer is a Philadelphia area native.
On Wednesday evening, the women were treated to a welcome reception at Paradise Point. The team rode the St. Thomas Skyride over 600 feet above the town of Charlotte Amalie above St. Thomas Harbor. There a bird show awaited the team! How many people have ever seen a cockatoo ride a bike! Not many, I am certain.
After a wonderful meal, some hit the dance floor to show their moves as we are gathered to show our support.
The Paradise Jam, for those of you that don't know, consists of two separate 4-team tournaments. Our division, St. Thomas, is a two-game counting event while the other tournament which Rutgers participated in 2004 is a multiple team event (MTE) three-game round robin tournament.
So, Friday play begins. The Scarlet Knights open with Penn State. Always a great rivalry as both teams feature veteran coaches. Coach Stringer and Penn State head coach Rene Portland can trace their ties to each other over 30 years.
For trivia buffs: Coach Stringer's first win as head coach at Rutgers was over a ranked (No. 7) Lady Lions team.
Until tomorrow!
