Baldwin Varsity Basketball Coach (2009 – present) Tanja Waples has been coaching basketball since the late 1980s when she developed her “360-degree” approach, training each player not only in the skills of basketball but also in the values of athletic competition. While setting high goals and exploring diverse ways to train, Ms. Waples expects each player to take charge of her own development by: working hard to strengthen athletic weaknesses and leverage strengths on and off the court, asking questions and articulating her needs, and contributing her unique individual gifts to the team. Her goal is to help players reach their highest overall potential as student athletes. Ms. Waples spent 2000-2007 as a coach with one of the country’s leading girls’ AAU basketball organizations, the Philadelphia Belles AAU. In 2007, she established the Philadelphia Lady Liberty AAU organization where she is head coach, further refining her approach requiring each player to work continuously at honing and expanding her individual skills and supporting the success of their teammates while building and safeguarding their academic records. Ms. Waples also sets high standards in performing community service independently and with her players. She has participated in: a basketball summer camp and clinic in Drexel Hill, PA for youth in who could not afford to go to camp (2000-2005); a basketball tournament in Aston, PA for underprivileged youth (2006); the March of Dimes Blue Jeans for Babies Basketball Tournament in Aston, PA (2007); a basketball camp for youth in New Jersey (2008); and a Wiffle Ball Tournament which raised $900.00 for Cancer Research (2009). In addition to coaching basketball, Ms. Waples is a PIAA Field Hockey and Lacrosse official.