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Arriving at about 8:30 with the temperature already at 82f, the team assembled on the track at Metzger. Led by the Director of Strength and Conditioning Steve Plunkett a warm up was conducted using the hurdles set up for the exercise. This was the day of the dreaded mile run and no one was exempt. The earlier hour was chosen for obvious reasns but at 82 there was no escaping the heat. Armed with heart monitors the coaches directed the players into two heats, mixed by class and positions. The upperclassmen were casually prepared but there was obvious trepidation from the first year players.

The first heat was a fast one with senior Aliza Furneaux breaking out to an early lead with Amanda Magadan strategically two lengths behind. Ellen Coulboune remained a stealthy third. However, as the heat progressed Magadan broke to the lead finishing first in 6 minutes, followed by Colbourne, with Furneaux making it a close third. Cameron Costello was fourth and finished ahead of all her classmates!  The second heat was not as close as Meg Lillis broke out to an early 6 length lead and never gave it up.

With that done, the team walked back to Rappolt Field to begin the day of real hockey. Today, was a day to practice pressing. It was an entertaining practice to watch and Magadan opened the practice with two goals as the team seemed to be energized by playing real hockey. There was also some really good defense at work, as I saw some excellent passing and releases up field by freshman Lisa van der Geest.  Aliza Furneaux seemed to be in the mix at crucial times showing her senior experience.

Sophomore Kristin Taylor showed good vision and aggressiveness from the midfield position, while defender Cody Hunsicker seemed no worse for wear after an earlier back muscle sprain.

Coach Stone seemed pleased as the session progressed. It was especially notable given that by the time practice ended it was already reaching 93 degrees. She has decided that the second practice of the day would be from 8-10 pm under the lights tonight in the cooler weather.

Tomorrow will be a day off and a team activity is scheduled to give everyone a well deserved break before resuming training on Monday. Tuesday will probably be a pre-game light day and the exhibition at Rutgers at 3pm on Wednesday is anticipated by fans and players alike.

Preseason is all about improving on skills, physical fitness, and getting to know the teammates that will be there during the rigors of the season to come. It  is all field hockey, 24/7, with the players dealing with the Pennsylvania heat, testing their inner character and heart. It’s the test that will knit this disparate group of young women into a single efficient unit. It is done under the watchful eye of dedicated and demanding coaches. My wife and I arrived at Rappolt Field this morning about twenty minutes before the 9 am  start of practice.

This was the third practice of the preseason and already Coach Stone has been able to make an assessment of the overall fitness of her charges. ” By and large I am pleased with the overall fitness, but typically there is always some catching up to do,” she opined.  She was pleased with the progress of the group and confident in their abilities. Practice was carefully planned to cover what she wanted to do in the two hour morning workout. As the temperature rose close to 90 Fahrenheit degrees (and I am sure higher on the turf), these young women went through their paces. There were frequent breaks and their heart rates  and other vital signs were constantly monitored by computerized devices worn by each player and transmitted to the coach’s iPad.

The practice began with  organized stretching and proceeded onto a series of drills designed to promote teamwork and individual skill. For the veterans, it was a continuation of the spring season, while the newest players were learning quickly where their new teammates will be on the field. The players were split into three areas as the goalies worked under the tutelage of coach Dalrymple, coach Janice supervised a drill which looked like the field hockey version of keep away, promoting defensive and offensive skills, while coach Stone worked on skills devoted to patterns close to the goal. The field players switched as each player got a chance at each drill, after  which the goalies joined the group for some real live action with their teammates.

At this point in preseason Coach Stone can be pleased the players seemed to be progressing. Later in the practice there was a drill devoted to fast breaks and which impressed me with the improved passing accuracy in the transition from defense to offense. Coach pushed the team to improve their ability and to adjust to various situations, but  on one occasion she was not satisfied with the execution, after which practice was stopped for team push-ups ( coaches included).

I continue to be impressed by many of our returning players and their progress. Rachel Bird continued to look good with her accurate passing and Ellen Colbourne continued to show her speed and leadership on the field. Amanda Magadan was not at practice as she finished summer classes to lighten her academic load this fall, since she will be traveling to Chile for the Junior World Cup at the end of November for two weeks after the season. She will be available next week, and for the Rutgers scrimmage.

There was an offensive highlight by Samantha DeMaio as she scored a goal by delivering it  through her own legs with her back to the cage. It appears to me that the new class will be contributors to the success of this team.  The two Roses, Rosie Shanks and Rosa Jonckheer worked well together in front of the goal. Senior Ami Turner showed her usual grit.

Captain Katelyn Arnold was sharp in goal directing her defensive teammates during the morning. It is still early, and there is a lot to learn in the next week. This early sample whetted the appetite for next week’s exhibition with Rutgers.

GO PARDS!

August ninth could not have come sooner. The day finally arrived. It’s a day we fans, teammates, parents and coaching staff have been building for during the last 9 months. Everyone arrived none the worse for wear, having traveled a combined 23,000 miles to get to this place. The upper class parents arranged a welcoming tailgate and they did not disappoint with meatballs, sandwiches, wraps, and plethora of salads and desserts. All was quickly consumed while new friends were made, old friends got reacquainted and teammates began bonding.

Coach Stone opened with some welcoming remarks and introduced the team of professionals that would be supporting their daughters. They included the coaching staff, sports medicine professionals, strength and conditioning staff, public relations staff, academic support staff, along with the Katie McKittrick the senior women’s administrator and Bruce McCutcheon the Director of Athletics who addressed the group. Tom Dubreuil who is in charge of Family  Relations in the Development Office also was in attendance. I made some brief remarks and it was on to lunch.

The rest of the day was devoted to team meetings, photo sessions in uniform, equipment distribution, physicals and finally the first team dinner in the evening. They will hit the turf on Wednesday mostly with the objective to test fitness and using the infamous “beep” test.

Brad Potts, the assistant Director of Athletics for Peak Performance was the first up at a team meeting to discuss the training regime, as well as discussing NCAA regulations regarding alcohol and illegal drugs. He explained that the NCAA can demand a random drug test at any time. He also explained how his department will assist the athlete not only in the case of injury rehab, but in injury prevention.

After that meeting they were headed out to the turf for the first time for pictures and locker assignments. Tomorrow morning begins the real work.

I will be visiting practice thursday and/or friday and will take some pictures and videos. The first exhibition will be at Rutgers next wednesday at 3pm.

The Lafayette Field Hockey team will be traveling an estimated 23,000 combined miles in the next four days to arrive in Easton to begin preseason practice for the 2016 season. Between August 9th and August 26th the team will engage in about 14 days of multiple practices relieved by two live scrimmages with Rutgers and Columbia. The first real game will be against Fairfield University on August 26th. Fairfield is a former Patriot League member who won their own league last year, only to lose to Patriot League champion, Boston University in the first NCAA game.

Every team in the league will  begin their own journey, each with their own goals and objectives to try to perform better than in 2015 regardless of their final record. The league will see one new coach. Lehigh has hired Caitlin Dallmeyer who comes from Dickinson College and played her hockey at Duke. Holy Cross has hired a new assistant who was an assistant at Bucknell, and Lafayette has a new assistant in Sara Dalrymple from Hofstra.

The league itself will be stronger and the schedules of last year’s top four teams  are sprinkled with NCAA tournament participants as well other  highly ranked teams. It should raise the RPI of the whole league. Holy Cross which just missed getting into Patriot League tournament will be looking to break that ceiling this year while American, Boston University, Lafayette and Bucknell will be trying to keep hold of the top four spots in the League. Although Boston University only took in two recruits this year, they will return 18 experienced players and will be a team to beat in the League. However, they have lost Sofi Laurito, their best player. American University returns with Patriot League rookie of the year Rafaelo Rubas. They will have 19 returning players and will play one of the toughest out of conference schedules in the league. Lafayette  brings 14 players back led by team captains, Kaitlyn Arnold who led the league in shutouts, and first team all patriot leaguer and U-21 team member Amanda Magadan. Senior Aliza Furneaux will anchor the defense while Ami Turner, who was the second leading scorer on the team will start in the midfield. The roster is boosted by the largest freshman class in the league.

Bucknell will be very solid as 19 return from the team that went two overtimes against Boston in the PL tournament. Lehigh’s new coach will rebuild as she  concentrates on improving the Mountain Hawks team culture. Holy Cross had some interesting wins last year including a 4-3 win against Lafayette. Seventeen will return from last year. Colgate’s disappointing season is behind them as they rededicate themselves for 2016.

My guess is when Head Coaches and Sports Information personnel cast their preseason ballots it will sort out in descending order, American, Boston,Lafayette,Bucknell, Holy Cross, Lehigh, and Colgate. I will reserve my predictions until after preseason. ( Hint: I think Lafayette and Bucknell will surprise!!!)

In the meantime, our Leopards return after hopefully, intense preparation. Many have been playing in home club teams, and keeping sharp in preparation for tuesday’s arrival. The operative word for the next several weeks is integration and team building. The key will be how quickly the new players can be integrated into the team allowing Coach Stone to install a seamless offensive and defensive scheme. No doubt there is talent in the returning veterans and new players,  but the most important job will be to jell into an effective team. Our first clue will come in New Brunswick at Rutgers.

Next up, will be arrival day and the opening tailgate!

In the parlance of the NCAA, I am an associated person, when it comes to Lafayette. I have been a trustee of the College, vice chairman of the finance committee, chairman of the organization that solicited larger gifts, president of my class, a member of the College’s booster club executive committee, chair of the Hall of Fame committee, and presently chair of the Friends of Lafayette Field Hockey. But first and foremost I am a fan. I root for the Leopards in all sports and support with donations, several of them. I want to see them all succeed.

I also support the academic side by endowing a named chair in the neuroscience department, a named prize for the best student, and several excel scholarships. I reveal all this to demonstrate my commitment to the school and its mission. I believe in the concept of “scholar-athlete” which the Patriot League represents and Lafayette demonstrates every year. Athletes learn teamwork, discipline, and goal setting. Being a division one athlete is not for everyone, just  as studying quantum mechanics is not everyone’s cup of tea. Having these committed student athletes is a plus for our College, and adds to the diverse population of  “Leopards”.

During a meeting, a decade ago, a person who shall remain anonymous , opined to me, ” We are not in the business of training professional athletes.” I thought the statement was uninformed and took an uneducated view of athletics, which to my mind  is “co-curricular.” The correct answer is ,if someone choses to be a professional athlete they will have received an education that allows them to appreciate civilization and contribute as their talents allow. You could insert doctor, lawyer or scientist for professional athlete. Not one person who graduates after four years at Lafayette is qualified to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court, perform brain surgery, or even run a large corporation. Skills learned on the playing fields for these extraordinary students go beyond the details of the game. They provide skills that can be applied to almost any discipline. At the division one  level, which we compete at, we are attracting the very best.

In the coming weeks, I will be reporting on the events on the field but I will be doing it from my perspective. I will not criticize individual players, but unlike a school publication who will always find a rosy perspective, I will say when they played beneath their ability. Field Hockey is a team sport, and the team includes everyone. Unlike the school publications, I will write when an official blew a call. When something extraordinary is accomplished on or off the field I will make note of it.

I have been critical at times of the school, if policies are inappropriate. Ten years ago when the Patriot League went to athletic scholarships I was a strong proponent, and I thought the administration’s position at the time, was ill-considered and destructive. It is my belief the current administration wants to see every activity perform at a level that produces positive experiences for its students, including athletics. Lafayette benefits from having these extraordinary student athletes on campus and that support is crucial to its ultimate success.

Within a week, all the fall sports will begin training and I will be there at the field hockey field to report on the team. I sincerely believe they could be one of the most successful teams on campus this year. The talent is there, the question remains can they come together as a team. I can’t wait to find out!!

Next: When preseason begins there will be preseason polls. Where will our Leopards sort out with the rest of league in the opinion of other coaches and school communications writers??

I’ve written often about my support for team sports, and its relevance in the development and education of its participants. There is no deeper connection, except perhaps, the camaraderie on the battlefield, that engenders lifetime connections like competitive athletics. It is not just the hours spent during an intense competition, but the shared intensity of training that knits bonds that will last a lifetime. The life of an elite athlete, which is who these young Division One student-athletes are, is a shared experience. It melds into a community that can  last a lifetime.

I receive  from time to time, email from past and present field hockey Leopards, letting me know what they are up to and I thought I might share this with my readers ( with their permission).These are examples of how lifetime connections develop and flourish. It demonstrates  how those connections can continue not only after a completed season, but after graduation.

I suppose it all begins during the recruiting period. Official visits are usually timed to coincide with games and allows the prospective teammates to begin that lifetime bonding process, not only with their classmates but with the team with whom they will be spending training hours on and off the field. There is no group on campus  with which they will interact and depend on more than their teammates.

Several days ago I received an  email from junior forward Rosie Shanks as she was about to leave for the USA from her home in Scotland. She reflected on her wonderful time at home with family and friends. Rosie emphasized she has been training hard and recounted that in the games she played in at home, she had scored in every game. She opined on the different style of play, and how interesting it was to experience  both hockey cultures. Rosie used her time to also complete her level one coaching certification, while also coaching at her old Club, Clydesdale, with 120 children ranging from 5 to 15. She loves coaching and is considering becoming a coach after graduation, perhaps even coaching in the US.

The highlight of the summer was a visit with a friend in Paris who is studying art after which  Rosie traveled to Ireland to meet up with teammate Meg Lillis. The two had  adventures in Dublin and later returned returned to Scotland for a few days. Rosie was able to show Meg, Edinburgh and on another day Inveraray  Castle in Argyll before Meg had to rerun to Ireland to complete her internship.

Part of maturing and growing is to expand your connections. Those connections endure after leaving the playing field for the last time. Earlier in the summer I received an email from Megan Cicchi ’11 who was an all league and region all american at Lafayette graduating with a degree in Chemistry after only 3 1/2 years. She was obviously a terrific athlete, and given her intelligence and ambition destined for great things. Megan is working in her field and still is connecting to field hockey as a volunteer commissioner for her club team. Her brother is on the US under 21 team and recently selected for the US team. She has managed to stay connected with her teammates as well. Megan and Bridget Hilbig also a teammate and classmate from the class of ’10,  make it a point to go backpacking at least once year. At the time of her email, they were preparing for an 8 day trip to Iceland. Bridget recently received her PhD and one year of post-doc. and will start teaching at a small California college this fall.

Finally, the connections are made even to those who were not teammates. but share the experience of playing hockey at Lafayette. This fall, the current team and alumni shared a  moment to support Emily Goldman Garibaldi’07 and her husband Peter. Their two year old daughter had succumbed to a terminal illness. As Emily and Peter stood  surrounded by Emily’s teammates, one former teammate remarked how she had given her daughter the middle name Lucille, after Emily’s little girl.  Her short life was remembered in a dedication on October 24. It was a remarkable ceremony as current teammates and alumni teammates stood in support and dedicated a tree at the playing field they shared during their stay at Lafayette. The dedication reads, “In loving memory of Lucille Elizabeth Garibaldi, daughter of  Emily Goldman Garibaldi ’07 and Pete Garibaldi.” The message finishes,” The legacy is really the lives we touch, the inspiration we give.”

Those that say athletics is just about the game… are wrong!