As the OAC's winningest basketball coach (men or women) added victory number 700 earlier this month, current and former players reflected on the programs culture on and off the court.
Before Cheri Harrer became the head coach of the Baldwin Wallace women's basketball team, the program never had a winning season.
But in Harrer's 35 years as head coach, the Yellow Jackets have made 18 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, advanced to seven Sweet 16s and reached three Elite Eights en route to becoming a powerhouse not only in the OAC but also on a national level.
This season, Harrer became the OAC's all-time leader in basketball coaching victories (men or women) and the first basketball coach in conference history to reach 700 career wins at the same school.
All-OAC standout Amanda Mondrach-Gnagy '09 noted, "Nobody deserves these accolades more than Coach Harrer. She is the hardest-working and most humble person I've ever met. It's truly an honor to celebrate her achievements and to forever be part of this BW basketball family she created."
In December, a locker room celebration followed the game that made Cheri Harrer the all-time winningest basketball coach in OAC history. Photo courtesy: Kevin Wilker '26
While 700 wins are impressive enough, the successes during Harrer's time guiding the program are plentiful: eight OAC Tournament Championships, 11 regular-season titles and 20 20-win seasons.
"Coach Harrer represents everything great about college basketball," said Julie Work '99, who was part of BW's first four teams to qualify for the NCAA Tournament and first OAC regular-season and tournament championship teams.
"She is a trailblazer in the sport, showing what it means to lead with passion and purpose to establish a culture of excellence, both athletically and academically. She has built one of the most respected programs in the nation that will be cemented in the history books, but her legacy isn't just about victories. It's about the relationships and family she has built, the culture of integrity and respect she has fostered, and the countless lives she has inspired."
Part of what makes a successful coach is the ability to recruit and, later, cultivate talent on the basketball court and in the classroom.
Lilly Edwards '22, a three-time All-American and four-time All-OAC player who has gone on to become a pediatric nurse, said Harrer sees beyond the student-athlete label.
"I knew that if I was going to play basketball, it was going to have to be somewhere where I could participate in things I was interested in outside of basketball, and with that, a coach who encourages that and cares about the personal development of their players," Edwards said.
"My first time on campus, Coach took me on a tour, and I noticed that she had a personal greeting to EVERYONE, from the random students passing by to the person cutting the grass. She asked me about my personal life and talked about involvement opportunities on campus that former players with similar interests got involved with.
"I knew that she led a culture I wanted to be a part of. I don't think I could have had a more positive experience playing for her."
"Playing for Coach Harrer was more than just a chapter in my life; it was a foundation that helped shape the person I've become," Mondrach-Gnagy added. "You don't just grow as a player in this program; you grow as a person. She taught me how to approach all aspects of life with mental toughness, determination, accountability and confidence."
Former Yellow Jackets standout forward Megan Scheibelhut '22, in her third season as an assistant coach at The College of Wooster, calls her time at BW playing under Harrer "the greatest four years of my life."
"She's been a mentor for me after college, and I think we've grown closer even after I've graduated, just because we're in the same profession. I can go to her for anything."
While Harrer notched her 700th win earlier this month, half of the season remains with the Yellow Jackets undefeated in conference play and in sole possession of first place in the OAC.
In fact, this year's team is focused on making the 2024-2025 season even more memorable for Harrer as they work to win the team's second straight OAC regular-season championship along with an OAC Tournament title and another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
"This year, our purpose is 'Whatever it takes for each other,'" senior forward Caely Ressler '25 said. "I think that really embodies this group because we just want to spend more time with each other … and play for each other, play for the coaches."
The Yellow Jackets will win more games this season, but for those who have been in the program, the victories add up to something bigger than basketball.
"Coach has built an enduring legacy not only at BW but in the sport of women's basketball," said Stacia Shrider-Rosen '08, who is now head coach of the Marietta Pioneers. "Her impact extends beyond all the wins and championships. She has shaped the lives of countless student-athletes. Her contributions to the sport have set a standard of greatness, and her legacy will be remembered for many years to come."
NOTE: This is an edited and condensed version of a story by Matt Florjancic '07. Read the full version on the Yellow Jacket athletics site.
