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Running with a purpose

Red Hook native's NYC Marathon run will benefit charity

Article from the "Daily Freeman" Kingston Newspaper from Mon.October 24, 2005

By Eric Houghtaling

Freeman staff

KINGSTON - On Nov. 6, former Red Hook resident Diesa Seidel will get to check off an item on her life's "to do" list when she competes in the New York City Marathon.

Seidel, a two-time Freeman girls basketball Player of the Year for the Raiders and a standout player during her four years at Marist College, has turned her attention to running and is preparing to tackle one of the biggest tasks of a runner's career.

Her participation in the 26.2-mile race will also benefit Religious Youth Service (RYS), an interreligious and international service project organization.

"Running a marathon was something I've always wanted to do in my life," she said. "I decided to get into the New York City Marathon and when I got accepted, I figured that I might as well run for a cause. The marathon is a one-time deal for me."

Seidel got a four-year athletic scholarship to play for the Red Foxes' women's basketball team after graduating from Red Hook and made the most of her experience.

She was an Academic All-American numerous times and is the college's all-time leader in blocked shots in a single game. She also broke the 1,000-point barrier and in 2002 was selected as the Marist Sports Person of the Year.

After graduating from Marist with a degree in psychology, Seidel went to France and played professionally for Tarbes in the National Pro A Euroleague and a second year for Viterbo in the Italian League.

"It was a great experience for me and Tarbes went all the way to the championship game and we got the silver medal," she said. "In Italy, I got a lot more playing time, but the team wasn't as strong. I enjoyed both."

Seidel, 25, returned to the United States and settled in Lake Hiawatha, N.J. where she teaches physical education to children in kindergarten through eighth-grade at St. Virgil's School in Morris Plains.

She is also pursuing her Master's degree.

"I really love what I'm doing and working with the kids is great," she said.

Her connection with RYS began two years ago when her parents, Dietrich and Elisabeth, suggested she get involved.

The organization looks to establish a foundation for world peace by creating a model of cooperation by breaking down cultural barriers. Since 1986, RYS has completed 140 service projects in 45 countries.

"I went to Trinidad and Tobago in 2003 and to Guyana last summer," she said. "RYS teams up with other organizations already in those countries and do whatever is needed.

"We did things like help clean up the environment, built an extension on a school and in Guyana we worked with Habitat for Humanity."

Seidel is requesting monetary donations for her marathon run to help RYS continue its work. For a $20 tax-deductible donation, a contributor also receives a Run for Peace t-shirt stating, "I Supported Run for Peace-NYC Marathon 2005" and on the back, "Peacemakers Wanted."

"I've found it's easier to reach out when people see what RYS is all about," she said. "Co-workers at school have been very supportive, my family and friends are helping out, so I'm inspired to do my best."

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Seidel has been undaunted in her training for the big race after being accepted to run this past July.

"I ran track and cross country in high school and stayed in good shape in college," she said. "It's time to dedicate myself to another discipline. I always knew there was a little runner in me."

After returning from an RYS-related activity in South Korea, Seidel stepped up her running regimen this past August.

She has been slowly building her mileage and getting out on the roads each day.

"Last week I ran a total of 53 miles and got my 20-mile run in on Sunday," she said. "I felt really good after I finished and my goal is to break four hours. I ran about 3:04 for the 20 miles, so I'm right on track."

Ever the athlete, Seidel has been auditioning different energy foods to take on her run and isn't planning any special pre-race routines.

"I'll be at the starting line and ready to go with my family and friends cheering me on," she said. "I'm taking along honey packs and power gels to keep me going, but I know what will keep me focused is the faces of the people I met with RYS."

To make a donation to Seidel's Run for Peace, contact her via e-mail at deseidel@hotmail.com or regular mail at 38A Grace Rd., Lake Hiawatha, N.J. 07034

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Recently, Diesa founded her own company 'Diesel Hoops' in which she offers professional basketball instruction. Below you find her biography about her athletic career.

Diesa Seidel started her basketball career in her hometown in Upstate New York. There she became her high school's all-time leading scorer (scoring over 1500 points), was named "New York State Player of the Year" in 1997, and was recruited nationally to play Division I basketball.

Following high school, she was granted a full athletic scholarship to play D-I basketball at Marist College. She has been recognized both regionally and nationally for her accomplishments, being named an "Academic All-American." At Marist, she became the all-time leader in blocked shots in a single game, season, and career. Despite injuries, she scored over 1200 points, ranking her amongst the top offensive players in the conference. In 2002 she was named "Marist Sports Person of the Year."

Throughout her summers in college, she earned a spot playing on French Jr. and Sr. National Teams, where she competed in the Jr. European Championships and in the Francophone Games.

After her collegiate career, Ms. Seidel played professionally in both France and Italy. While overseas, she played at National Pro A level and competed in the Euroleague (top professional European league). During her rookie season, her team reached the national finals and was awarded the silver medal.

Ms. Seidel is currently pursuing her Master's degree, while working as a Physical Education teacher in New Jersey.

See more photos of Diesa at Photo Gallery

Diesa with the Religious Youth Service (RYS)

In the summer of 2004, Diesa joined a Religious Youth Service (RYS) project in Guyana where an international and interreligious group of young people helped building homes. Diesa was awarded the honor of 'Youth Ambassador for Peace'.

Diesa met the President of Guyana, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo.

The RYS experience began as an experiment in peace building and has become a time-tested model of multi-religious, cross-cultural harmony and cooperation.

To know more about the Religious Youth Service visit their website: www.religiousyouthservice.org

Diesa with the Interreligious Peace Sports Festival

Watch Diesa in a short interview during her participation on the Interreligious Sports Peace Festival (ISPF) as the U.S. Women's Basketball Coach.

Video: www.ipsfestival.org/media/IPSFPromo.wmv. (Interview is located in video clip at 3 minutes 12 seconds from start.) Requires Windows Media Player and a high speed online connection.

The Interreligious Peace Sports Festival creates an environment where participants can share and compete in the sport they love. The IPSF provides athletes a chance to gain a global perspective on life while offering numerous opportunities for the free and dynamic exchange of culture, idea and the gift of friendship.

To know more about Interreligious Sports Peace Festival (ISPF) visit www.ipsfestival.org

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