When Hobart was still the kings of D3 Lax.
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So, your kid played at Salisbury? Or are you an old head?
So, your kid played at Salisbury? Or are you an old head?
Just a local fan of the program and retiree with plenty of free time.
IMHO you can't claim that he has the "respected by players, coaches and opponents." You didn't play, have your kid play in the program to actually know. Not saying he isn't largely respected, but that's not universal. He's got warts too, every coach does. Now, I appreciate him honoring the game the way he does, and that was proven in the way (to selfish ends or not) he kept Cabrini on the schedule last year.
IMHO you can't claim that he has the "respected by players, coaches and opponents." You didn't play, have your kid play in the program to actually know. Not saying he isn't largely respected, but that's not universal. He's got warts too, every coach does. Now, I appreciate him honoring the game the way he does, and that was proven in the way (to selfish ends or not) he kept Cabrini on the schedule last year.
IMHO you can't claim that he has the "respected by players, coaches and opponents." You didn't play, have your kid play in the program to actually know. Not saying he isn't largely respected, but that's not universal. He's got warts too, every coach does. Now, I appreciate him honoring the game the way he does, and that was proven in the way (to selfish ends or not) he kept Cabrini on the schedule last year.
Berkman recruits AND develops at an elite level. He has created a pressure cooker approach to doing that. Results speak for themselves.
My implication was that I've watched and been around the players and older alums since before 1991. I hope you are not implying that if you did not have a son play for Jim you cannot be an informed individual. Coach Long is a hell of a coach and a great guy - not sure who would rank him above Coach Berkman. The same would go for the others you mentioned, except Coach Tillman. Talk about recruiting advantages (UVA anyone). One that does come to mind would probably be Coach Janczyk. Certainly a peer, class act, and professional.Backlax wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 3:18 pmIMHO you can't claim that he has the "respected by players, coaches and opponents." You didn't play, have your kid play in the program to actually know. Not saying he isn't largely respected, but that's not universal. He's got warts too, every coach does. Now, I appreciate him honoring the game the way he does, and that was proven in the way (to selfish ends or not) he kept Cabrini on the schedule last year.
He is the winningest coach in men's lacrosse. And that is incredible, due to the sustainment of success over the decades of change.
I personally think that there are 10-20 coaches (some active, some retired) across divisions that execute culture and schemes at a higher level, and I would rather play for. One of my favorites is Jeff Long from Ithaca. His schemes were creative, the pace of play was exciting, he made adjustments really well. He also focused his program around the soul of the game. Stack 24s. Marr up at UAlbany, another one that seems to mix the ideas of competition with the pure joy that the game should bring. Tiffany and Shay and Tillman have it on him lax IQ wise, I'd venture to say long term. Handful of active coaches likely as well. The competitive nature of D1 is going to produce sharper minds. The rosters are closer, there are very few easy wins. The recruiting is tougher. The adjustment are more minute.
Every team "get's back to work." Every single one. I appreciate the candor, but that doesn't make Salisbury unique. BTW, I'm not looking to bring down Jim or what he's help build. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the Salisbury program and their accomplishments. I shared the field only once with the Gulls in 2003 and it was pretty nuts. Eric Martin chasing me around. He was 10x the best defender I had seen that season. I returned to the shore in 2003 to watch the semifinals against Whittier. They did them dirtier than our humble Cabrini squad.
Resume, unquestionably the best in D3, all time.
MVPiccoli wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2024 11:58 am
And no hate or ill intent in that post Backlax. I don't actually know ether. I didn't play for the Gulls. I wasn't talented enough to be on Jim's radar, nor did I understand the lacrosse landscape (having just started playing in 9th grade) enough to even know who was who, program wise.
An analogy: I have watched the Phillies play 50+ times a year for as long as I can remember. I can surmise a lot, but I've never been on the inside to know. Closest I can get is talking to a friend's husband who is a trainer for them.
Granelli wasn’t a freshman, transferred over from Cortland and word was he had signed with Syracuse (believe did fall ball with them) prior to going to the Red Dragons (got injured).MVPiccoli wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2024 9:57 am I kinda am implying that. If you weren't on the inside of the program as a player or parent or coach, I just don't think you really know.
Berkman recruits AND develops at an elite level. He has created a pressure cooker approach to doing that. Results speak for themselves.
From 2000 on and off the top of my head: Josh Bergy, Jeff Bigas, Andy Murray, Chris Phillips, Kylor Berkman, Sam Bradman, Tyler Granelli...plenty other game changing freshmen have hit the shore...what's more impressive, as you state, are the kids that wait their turn for two years and then BALL OUT. That is freaking cool to see.