Inactive Duty and The Battle of the Bulge

For those who use Skype or are in the Boston area, I love to do video interviews for the blog on one's lacrosse experience including being recruited, fall ball, teammates, coaching, being a student athlete, playing in the pro leagues, and the transition to life after lacrosse or what I call “inactive duty.”  That transition can be tough mentally and physically and I've seen lots of college and pro athletes struggle with it. For example, It's amazing how many my former teammates from high school and SU have gotten big as a house! How are you doing with the battle of the bulge?

Staying Fit After Your Playing Days:http://lacrossememoir.blogspot.com/2012/07/its-about-changing-your-lifestyle_06.html.

HBO Special, The Weight of the Nation Program Website: http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/films

Interactive Map on Obesity in North America: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/multimedia/20120507-obesity/

Student Teaching and Coaching in Croton Part 2

Me (and physical education and coach Len Gobber left) speaking at the annual CHHS end of the year sports banquet and the Evening Dinner Theater in 1986. Wow was that allot more hair and long time ago. 

As a student teacher in the Croton Harmon public school district in 1985-1986 I had a blast. I coached soccer in the fall, girls basketball in the winter, lacrosse in the spring. The toughest part was being so close in ages to aggressively flirting senior girls who I had to put in check on more than one occasion.   In the spring I served as the assistant varsity boys lacrosse coach working with the defense. Back then girls lacrosse had not yet exploded across section 1. Taking a page out of the old Hobart play book, I had all the long poles on the team play with PL 77s. My mantra has been for a while there's little better than a great poke check and never allow a player to keep his bottom hand unmolested on the stick.  I was very demanding but also had plenty of time to make jokes and keep things light and it was obvious I loved coaching. I also loved warming up the goalies which I would argue is the best paid gig in the world!

Syracuse Lacrosse Swag in the 1980s Part 2

Former SU goalie from the 1983 championship team Travis Solomon with his son.

Syracuse University (SU) athletic department issued apparel gave students, especially football and basketball and after 83, lacrosse players, a pass port in many ways in the Syracuse metro area. It could get you dinner invitations at nice Syracuse restaurants and home cooked meals. It got you sandwiches and conversations with people who otherwise might not give you the time of day. In short, legit athletic department apparel from prestigious programs gives one a cool that wins friends and influences people. My official gear gave me an unsolicited but welcomed elite status on and off the field that I never had before. I say unsolicited because I just loved the game and wanted to win a national championship. That status and the opportunities that came with it would only increase as SU and Herkimer (the junior college I attended before SU) would win many national championships long after I had graduated from both schools.