Elkins Rotary greets D&E coaches
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ELKINS -- Donna Carr, Davis & Elkins College head women's basketball coach, and Daniel Mondragon, head men's basketball coach, visited with the Elkins Rotary Club recently.
Carr, who is in her second year with the Senators, came to D&E from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida.
Carr said the women's team is looking forward to continuing and increasing their involvement in the community. "One on the programs we did in Florida was connecting our girls with community leaders who were identical to their major interests. Getting involved with the Rotary club and learning community leaders is a big step for us," said Carr.
Most of the women's 2022-2023 team returned this year. The team has been struggling a bit due to some nagging injury issues among the players. Carr is looking forward to the coming final exams break to address some of those issues.
Carr noted that it will be very important for the team to have the support of the local community. "We encourage and would love for all of you guys to come out and support the girls. They would love to see familiar faces in the crowd." The women's team members are anxious to meet members of the local community and spend time learning about Elkins and its community members.
The women's team is very balanced. There are two seniors on this year's team along with eight juniors, eight sophomores and four freshmen. "The seniors are very special to us this year. They've been here through a couple of coaches, and they stuck around," said Carr. "Recruiting is very important to me this year because of the number of juniors on the team."
Mondragon is entering his fifth season as the Senators head coach. "The impact that this community has had on me is unlike anything I could ever imagine. I was 28 years old when I was hired and I would have moved anywhere in the county and to move to a place like this, it is a special place," said Mondragon. "People ask me if I miss home, if I miss Florida, but I really don't. I can't wait to make my way back up here after visiting home. I feel fortunate to be a part of the community."
Last year, the men's team posted a 19-11 record with the most wins since 1959 and the first winning season in about 40 years. "What I'm most proud of is we've done this with some incredible kids. We have tremendous, high-character individuals who love being at D&E. We've got kids from all over the country, a lot of kids from Florida, and it's not easy to recruit kids from the sunshine state to come here to a small school in a small town. They're not used to the small-town atmosphere so crowds at the games and involvement in the community are key to our success," added Mondragon. "I tell students they are coming here to get a degree and to be in a family atmosphere. I encourage our players to go out in the community."
The men's team is very balanced as well. "This year we brought in three transfers and five freshmen. This has been our best recruiting class in terms of depth and talent. You want to avoid having five or six seniors graduate at the same time, especially if they're impact players. We had that last year - six of our top eight graduated. This year, we'll only lose one starter to graduation," said Mondragon.
The men's team was able to add a junior varsity squad this year. "We've got unbelievable diversity on that team with seven or eight countries represented. There are a lot of schools that have JV teams solely for the financial benefit of having more students and they overlook the student athlete experience, which is something we take very seriously. This year, it's going very well, much better than I anticipated," he said.
Both teams participated in the Elkins fall clean-up the past couple of years. "All the feedback we received from the citizens was tremendous. They love seeing all the red shirts going throughout the community and on behalf of the City of Elkins, thank you so much for that," said Rotarian and Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco.
The teams have also sponsored free clinics at the YMCA. Both coaches are anxious to offer their services, and those of their teams, to the community.
Since COVID all D&E basketball games have been admission free. "We don't want any obstacle for people to come out to our games and it is high level basketball," Mondragon said. The men's team is ranked No. 7 in the region and is looking forward to another successful season.
Carr also commented on the new Glory Hall, being built on the campus. "That building is a huge attraction for the kids coming in, adding to the student experience."
Rotarian and D&E President Chris Wood added kudos for both teams.
"After a tough start for Coach Carr, there were two wins in a row, and we celebrate that. Then, the men's team played West Liberty, the number 2 team in the country and gave them all they could handle. Please come out and see a game."
More information about the D&E basketball teams, including their schedules, can be found at https://senatornation.com. The website also contains information about the players and coaches as well as information about all the D&E athletic teams.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club's Facebook page - Rotary Club of Elkins – or contact club president Kenny George at kenneth.george@blueridgeriskpartners.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.