The Princeton Varsity Club gathered Princetonians in the greater Washington, D.C. area on Oct. 12th for an evening reception and conversation with Ford Family Director of Athletics, John Mack ’00 and Tiger head coaches Mitch Henderson ’98 (men’s basketball) and Lisa Van Ackeren (softball).
The event, hosted at the new Princeton School of Public and International Affairs location in Dupont Circle, featured picturesque views of the nation’s capital as guests mingled during an evening cocktail reception. Following dinner and drinks, co-hosts Monica Moore Thompson ’89 S88 P20 and John Thompson, III ’88 S89 P20 kicked off formal programming, thanking attendees for their support of the PVC and Princeton Athletics while speaking to the charge of the Princeton Alumni Council at-large. The event then transitioned to an engaging conversation moderated by Ford Family Director of Athletics, John Mack ’00 who teamed up with accomplished head coaches Mitch Henderson ’98 (men’s basketball) and Lisa Van Ackeren (softball), both two-time defending Ivy League champions, to discuss their career journeys and experiences coaching at Princeton University. An event highlight video can be viewed below.
The featured panelists spoke to their personal leadership styles, process for fostering positive team culture, approach to maximizing student-athlete performance and wellbeing, and the constantly evolving nature of college athletics. Guests enjoyed a rare and authentic look into the day-to-day lifestyle and dynamics that come with leading Princeton Athletics’ programs and fostering a championship-level undergraduate experience for Tiger student-athletes.
Click here for a complete photo gallery of the event.
