Oct. 14, 2014 WASHINGTON - As the Georgetown University women's basketball took the floor for the first official practice of the year yesterday, it wasn't different than any other Monday. With the exception of the 5 a.m., wake-up call.
Throughout the fall, the team has gotten together every Monday with members of the Hoya Battalion to go through both mental and physical challenges to prepare for the season.
The Hoya Battalion is the ROTC for five universities in the District of Columbia including American University, The Catholic University of America, George Washington University, The Institute for World Politics as well as students from Georgetown University. In 2012, out of 272 programs in the nation, U.S. Army Cadet Command ranked the Hoya Battalion as its top Senior ROTC Battalion in the nation.
"We're truly grateful to Army ROTC here at Georgetown University," said Georgetown Head Coach Natasha Adair. "Bootcamp Mondays were designed to build chemistry, toughness, discipline and enhance our critical thinking. Over our four-week journey, we definitely became closer as a team."
The obstacles were physical such as bear crawls and relays, as well as mental with the team being blindfolded and one person having to lead them through an obstacle course with site. The entire time, the squad was put through military communication and the expectation of military precision.
"From the first Monday of boot camp to the last Monday, as a team we improved tremendously," said freshman guard Dorothy Adomako (Midlothian, Va./Cosby). "I think I can speak for all us and say that boot camp has taught us to trust each other and know that your teammates have your back. Whenever we feel like giving up off or on the court, we can always look back and think about not just how difficult boot camp was, but how it inspired us to be our best and not give up on anything we face."
While conditioning on the court is an important aspect, the goal of Bootcamp Mondays was to really test the team's mental toughness and bring together a group with five freshmen and no seniors on the roster as well as an entirely new coaching staff.
"It was tough, and challenged our mental toughness, but I really found out just how strong both me and my team are," said sophomore guard Jade Martin (Bloomington, Minn./John F. Kennedy).
With the start of the 2014-15 season and many new faces on the Hilltop, that physical and mental toughness will come in handy with a talented BIG EAST slate.
"We grew physically stronger and mentally tougher," said Adair. "It was exciting to watch our players strategize through challenging exercises. This experience proved that when we put our mind, effort and team together we will accomplish anything."
