Guilford High School Lacrosse

1
Guilford High School Lacrosse

• Building on Success
• February 24, 2009
• March 3, 2009

2
Agenda for Parents Meeting

• Vision for Varsity Lacrosse
• History
• 2009 Outlook
• Parents Role in Success
• NetMinders
• Using Lacrosse to get into College
• Collaboration with the Youth Program

3
Vision for Varsity Lacrosse

• To play lacrosse at the highest possible level
• To encourage sportsmanship and leadership on and
  off the field
• To create opportunities for our players to get
  into college
• To have a rewarding and fun experience

4
Vision for Varsity Lacrosse

• How are we going to do it?
• Build on the success of the last few years
• Set clear expectations and goals
• Team
• Individual
• Hold players and coaches to those standards
• Develop the attitude and effort it takes to win
• Work hard to achieve

5
History

• 2009 marks Guilfords 15th year of lacrosse
• Still a new program by competitive standards
• High point 1997-2000
• 1997 semi-finals (lost to Somers 9-6)
• 1998 qtr- finals (lost to Brien McMahon 15-10)
• 1999 semi-finals (lost to Staples12-11 (OT))
• 2000 finals (lost to Brien McMahon 12-11)
• Competitiveness declined in 2001-2005
• On the rise 2006 - 2008

6
History
Year Rank Wins Loss
2000 14 (43) 16 7 Finals
2001 23 (53) 6 9
2002 10 (51) 12 7
2003 23 (57) 3 13
2004 25 (62) 5 11
2005 25 (67) 8 9 Qualifying Round
2006 29 (71) 8 10 First Round
2007 22 (72) 11 8 Quarterfinals
2008 22(77) 11 8 Quarterfinals
Fastest Growing Sport - 34 new teams added since
2000.
7
2009 Outlook

• Coming off a good year in 2008
• Increased the intensity of our play
• Adopted college-style offense and defense
• Improved our competitiveness
• 8 losses by a total of only 19 goals (previous
  49)
• Need to increase our competitiveness to beat the
  top teams!
• 3 players moved on to play at a higher level
• 2 in college
• 1 prep school

8
2009 Outlook

• Returning a more experienced team
• Improving game management (Coaches and players)
• Improving fundamentals
• Clarifying our offense to allow more player
  creativity and understanding of roles
• Increasing our intensity and physicality

9
2009 Goals

• Become a cohesive team
• playing within our individual capabilities to
  make a stronger team
• Improve our in-season record beyond 10-6
• Make a mark in the SCC and State playoffs
• Establish a sustained effort to serve the
  community
• Create a positive image of the lacrosse team
  within the school and community
• Place our seniors in higher education

10
2009 Outlook

• What makes a good lacrosse player?
• Attitude
• Effort
• Understanding of Roles and Responsibilities
• Skills
• Accountability

11
2009 Outlook

• ALL positions are up for grabs
• Based on coaches evaluations
• We will put the best players in the positions
  that are most conducive to team play and winning
• It doesnt matter what position your player may
  think he is
• Midfield, Attack, Defense or Goalie,
• We will put the pieces together into the best
  combination
• The process is continuous throughout the season

The secret of winning football games is working
more as a team, less as individuals.  I play not
my 11 best, but my best 11.         -- Knute
Rockne
12
2009 Outlook

• Full Varsity, JV and Freshman schedules
• Two practice squads (Green and White)
• Green will be Varsity players and Varsity/JV
  bubble players
• White squad will be Freshmen and remaining JV
  players
• Why?
• To improve the speed and intensity of our varsity
  practices
• To improve the numbers and intensity of our
  freshman practices
• To get more field time for our newer players in a
  more forgiving environment
• Players will move up or down based on attitude,
  effort and skills or lack thereof

13
2009 Outlook

• Schedule
• Preseason
• Regular season
• Post season
• Paperwork
• All players need to sign up for spring sports in
  the nurses office ASAP
• Emergency Cards
• Physicals (appointments and forms)
• Impact Testing (Freshmen, Juniors)
• All information should be handed in on or before
  MARCH 3rd

14
Parents Role in Success

• Most of the core attitudes for success come from
  home
• Work ethic
• Intensity
• Respect for teammates and coaches
• Getting them to and from practices and games
  fully equipped

We appreciate it! We have great kids on the team!
15
Overview of the NetMinders

• The NetMinders is a parent-sponsored organization
  to support the boys lacrosse program
• Primary responsibilities
• Fund raising
• Hosting support events
• Pasta dinners, senior night, banquet, picnic,
  etc,
• Organizing and supporting summer, fall and winter
  lacrosse activities
• Supporting the coaching staff
• And other duties as required

16
2008/2009 Goals

• Get more parents involved in the club
• Sustain and improve fund raising
• Improve game attendance
• Improve activities with the youth program
• Improve the image of the lacrosse program within
  the school and the community
• Community service activities as a team
• Better play in the media
• Reporting on games
• Film for GCTV
• Continue to provide year-round playing
  opportunities
• Outreach to alumni and alumni parents

17
Off-Season Activities

• Summer pick-up games
• Twice per week in the evening
• Fall Lacrosse
• Once per week practice
• 2 tournaments
• Winter Lacrosse
• In-door in Hamden once per week
• Turf field time 2 days per week after school
• One tournament and local scrimmages
• Fall and winter lifting program

Playing a fall or winter sport is very beneficial
and highly recommended! The best Lax players in
the state play football!
18
NetMinders Contacts

• Officers
• President Renee Leary
• renee.leary_at_comcast.net
• Vice-President, Dave DeMaio
• daviddemaio_at_mungerconstruction.com
• Secretary, Wendy Davis
• wdavis3121_at_aol.com
• Treasurer, George Curry
• gcescurry_at_sbcglobal.net
• Youth Coordinator Matt Fogarty
• matthew.fogarty_at_sbcglobal.net
• Class representatives
• Freshman, Ann Marie Gunn, a.gunn_at_sbcglobal.net
• Sophomore, Char Curry, gtcchar_at_yahoo.com
• Junior, Diane Carlson, erickcarlson_at_comcast.net

19
WebSite www.ghsboyslax.org

• Single location for lacrosse news, forms,
  schedules, rosters, statistics, field directions,
  etc. one stop shopping
• NetMinders controls the content
• Easy maintenance and update
• Repository of knowledge
• Player and parent database behind the scenes
• Simple to contact players and parents
• Email addresses and phone numbers hidden to
  general public
• We need emails and phone numbers for parents and
  players to make this work!

20
WebSite Home
21
Team Page
22
Exchange
23
Fundraising Activities

• Commemorative (ad) program Renee Leary and TBD
• Letter writing Diane Carlson
• Player pictures Diane Carlson
• Concession stand Anna Raccuia
• Car washes Wendy Davis
• 50/50 raffles at games need coordinator

24
Need for Volunteers

• Pasta dinners Dave and Terri Polastri
• Game film and commentary Gary Drake Need
  volunteers
• Half-time activities need coordinator
• Concession stand Anna Raccuia
• Car washes Wendy Davis
• Media coordinator Need coordinator
• Youth day Matt Fogarty
• Banquet need coordinator
• Senior night need coordinator
• We need coordinators for some events and
  volunteers for all events

25
Lax-Bash, March 28

• WE NEED VOLUNTEERS
• Field coordinator runs the logistical side of the
  Jamboree Jeff Deacon
• Ensures all teams know the schedule and what
  field they need to be on
• Runs horn to start and end games, and coordinate
  team movement
• Engages volunteers to maintain water coolers on
  all fields
• Works with the Youth program to coordinate ball
  boys at all games
• Maintains visibility and oversight on any game
  that GHS is NOT competing in
• Supervises oversight staff on every field
• Concession coordinator Anna Raccuia
• Determine menu for the event
• Publish to other teams
• Arrange for volunteers to staff the concession
  stand
• Set-up/clean-up
• Arrange for exposure/promotion at back fields
• Activity coordinator -- ??????
• Promotion
• Local newspapers
• pre and post event
• In school

26
Lacrosse Provides College Opportunities

• Lacrosse is growing rapidly at the collegiate
  level
• Since 2000
• 41 new NCAA programs
• 130 New MCLA programs (more than club teams but
  not varsity)
• While there are scholarship opportunities, the
  real leverage is
• Introducing your son to schools they may not have
  considered otherwise- via College coaches and
  players
• Leverage Getting your son into a better school
  than he might otherwise get into
• Priority considerations, locking in the
  commitment early
• Immediate sense of belonging once on campus
• Coach supervision supporting academic success
• And, there are scholarship opportunities
• Even if you dont play in college
• The discipline of a varsity sport translates into
  improved academic performance
• The work ethic and leadership skills derived from
  varsity sports make applicants more appealing to
  college review boards

There are benefits from playing lacrosse in high
school, even if you don't seek a future as a
college lacrosse player
27
GHS Alumni

• Jon Hunt (96) Plymouth State, Head Coach
  University of New England.
• Carter Ozyck (96) Quinnipiac University
• Dave Burtraw (97) Hartwick College
• Ian Andrews (97) Eastern Connecticut State
  University
• Brian White (97) Plymouth State, GHS Head
  Coach
• Matt Libby (98) Gettysburg College
• Jeff Maciorowski (98) Endicott College, former
  coach Lassell College
• Scott Davidson (00) University of Denver, MLL
  Player
• Noah Hollander (00) Hartwick College, Captain
• Colin Kott (01) Curry College
• Josh Maciorowski (01) UMass / Endicott
  College, former Coach at Lassell College
• Mike Silverstrini (03) Eastern Connecticut
  State University
• Dave Hamilton (03) University of Hartford
• Adam Rosati (03) Castleton State College
• Cory Robbins (05) Hartwick College
• Jake Mahon (06) Hartwick College
• Brendan Calafiore - Skidmore
• Chris Garceau West Point
• Chris Reiben - Colby College

28
Collaboration with the Youth Program

• We need a strong youth program to have a strong
  varsity program
• We need youth players and parents to
• embrace high school lacrosse
• come to our games
• Increase fans in the stands and Youth exposure to
  varsity games by
• Creating "youth Events" at our games
• Having Ball Boys at every home game
• Hosting Youth day at one of our Saturday home
  games (currently scheduled for April 26th)
• Mini-games at half time
• We need help to manage this process!
• Our players and coaches will work with youth
  teams to encourage skill development and
  collaboration

29
Parents Role in Success

• Support for the program
• Financial support
• Items to make the program more rewarding for the
  kids
• Banquet
• Pasta dinners
• Senior gifts
• Unfortunately some essentials too!
• Balls
• Stick repair supplies
• etc,
• Logistical support
• Game filming
• Tracking stats
• Concession stand (If we can get people to come to
  the games)
• Half-time activities
• Lax-Bash
• Etc,
• Intensity in the stands
• Bring the grandparents, bring the neighbors,
  bring your friends

Join the Lacrosse Community and have Fun!
30
Key Dates

• March 9 Conditioning begins
• March 23 Practice begins
• March 28 "Lax Bash"
• April 7 Pasta Party
• April 8 Season opener against East Lyme at home
• April 26 Car Wash
• May 4 Pasta Party
• May 16 Youth Day
• May 17 Car Wash
• May 22 Senior Night
• June 1 Pasta Party
• June 19 Alumni Game
• June 21 End of the year banquet
• End of the year picnic with girls lacrosse -
  ????

31
Play to Win