It’s more than the jersey.
It’s more than being able to carry around the stick.
It’s more than the gear.
It’s more than the games.
It’s getting an opportunity to be a part of a great community. A community of connected, hard-working, fun-loving, kind, and passionate people that all have 1 thing in common… they love lacrosse.
“Tom Rinaldi’s The Red Bandana could very well become one of those classic books that are handed down through generations, for more than any book I have read in a very long time it convincingly tells the story of how great men and women become great–how cultural, community, and spiritual drives can develop that inner character that will make the world a better place. It is all found here in these pages–the intellectual and moral strength of a close and loving family, determination, guts and the sense of service that brings alive this memorable an beautifully written story of the 9/11 death of Welles Crowther. This book will always be set aside in my house to illustrate the art of writing, but mostly to honor the life of this courageous man– volunteer firefighter, champion athlete, well-positioned stock trader–a true friend and loyal son whose inner inspiration was to become a New York City firefighter. Every first responder will want to read this book every high school ad college English teacher will want to assign it and every thoughtful reader will give it to someone they love.” -Dennis Smith, retired FDNY firefighter and author of Report from Engine Co. 82
Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to tour the beautiful campus of Bard College. Set in Annandale-on-Hudson NY, in the town of Red Hook, Bard stretches over 700 acres of conservancy, farm land, wooded trails, rolling hills, and breath-taking views. Known for it’s strong liberal arts education, Bard’s long time President has shown increasing support for their athletic programs.
Meeting with Assistant Coach Marcelo Godino outside of Bard’ Athletic Complex, he took me on a quick tour of the athletic fields and facility. Lorenzo Ferrari of the Ferrari car Co., invested millions to help in building 2 beautifully manicured grass soccer/lacrosse fields on campus. Bard has a newly built baseball stadium right next to the Ferrari Fields. Additionally, the athletic program is working on approving plans to build a brand new field-turf stadium for the lacrosse team.
After Coach Godino introduced me to Head Coach Alex Stone, I became excited for the potential of the Bard Lacrosse Program. Coach Stone is a young, enthusiastic, genuine guy; who has great plans to build a top-contender in the highly competitive Liberty League. Coach Stone went to Union College. After graduation he made his way to Bard to coach under Tucker Kear, current Head Coach at Skidmore. Then, after the departure of Coach Kear, applied for and was hire to lead the Bard Raptors Lacrosse Program. Experiencing the Liberty League from three different perspectives for over 8 years, gives Coach Stone an edge over his competition. The first perspective is experience the conference as a recruit. Stone was recruited by nearly all the teams in the league. Secondly, he experienced the League as a player. Playing for Union for all four years. Lastly, he has experienced the League as an Assistant and now head coach.
After a great visit with the Bard Men’s Lacrosse staff, I’v accumulated a couple reasons why a young, successful lacrosse studlete would want to attend this school:
Overall, Bard College is an under the radar gem in upstate NY that should definitely be considered. To learn more about becoming a Raptor – click here.
A special thanks to Coach Godino and Coach Stone for taking the time to educate FLG on what it means to be a Raptor.
X’s & O’s with FLG is a line of instructional video series that is designed to teach the rational and the details behind what we teach and use here at FLG from an X’s & O’s standpoint. – Eric Dunne (Director, FLG Lacrosse)
Enjoy our first video, Open Clear – The Breakout
That’s powerful, the rage to master.
When I first heard Professor Ellen Winner’s phrase, rage to master, I thought it meant:
Burning desire to perfect a specific craft or trade.
Winner defines rage to master as she explains what makes someone a genius, saying,
It’s an intense and obsessive interest, an ability to focus sharply, experiencing a state of flow when learning in their domain — optimal states in which they focus intently and lose sense of the outside world.
As it relates to sports, a key in obtaining the rage to master, is developing an obsessive interest.
Fascinating, but, how can one do this? For me, an emphasis on interest relates to the importance of developing a passion for whatever it is you wish to master. Loving what you do is a great way to maintain an interest and develop that burning passion.
A great message for not only the future geniuses reading this post, but one for all parents or youth coaches. If you wish to have your child master a sport, craft, trade, instrument, or whatever it may be; make sure they are having fun. If they are having fun, they will gain interest. Once they have interest, they can work to develop an intense and obsessive rage to master their area of expertise. #LoveTheGame
Lacrosse Community,
FLG Lacrosse will be releasing it’s newest educational segment tomorrow!
X’s & O’s with FLG, is FLG Lacrosse’ newest segment that will feature video shorts that cover a variety of topics within the sport of lacrosse. Some of these topics will include:
FLG is stoked to launch it’s newest educational segment to not only help players within the FLG Select Team Program, but to help other studletes, coaches, and parent-coaches in the lacrosse community.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and tune into our Daily Blog so you don’t miss out!
Sincerely,
The FLG Team
Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers.
The labor movement occurred during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. While industrialization brought about an increased volume and variety of manufactured goods, it also resulted in difficult employment and living conditions for the poor and working class.
Golf is one difficult sport. Anyone that has swung a golf club should have an appreciation for what the golfers on the LPGA & PGA Tours do on TV. Every time I tune into the best in the world, I’m in awe by what they can do with a club and ball.
Despite their athleticism and obvious skill, one thing that’s always intrigued me about golfers is what makes them unique:
Some are tall and thin.
Others stocky and short.
Some lefty.
Others righty.
Some sponsored by Arby’s.
Others by Sweet Green.
Some rock the freshest Nike gear.
Others rock Polo by Ralph Lauren.
Some golfers celebrate with a dramatic fist pump.
Other with a tip of the cap.
Some young.
Others approaching middle age.
With all those differences, it’s important to understand that there are several fundamental skills at work here. As I watch these incredible athletes, I couldn’t help but sharing a few of these athletic characteristics that remain consistent amongst the best of the best:
If you got nothing going on during this calm before the storm that is Hermine, check out the Deutsche Bank Championship on CBS. What other characteristics do you notice that are consistent amongst golfers? How about other qualities that make them different? Would love to hear your comments below!
When families join the FLG Select Team Program, the first place our studletes go isn’t the fields, it’s into the trees.
Two weeks after the teams have been selected and rosters finalized, the entire FLG Select boys and girls program is invited to The Long Island Adventure’s Park. This day isn’t about lacrosse, it’s all about:
Check out pictures of 1 awesome day at the LI Adventure’s Park here.
Below is a conversation I had with a mother earlier this week over the phone. The parent reluctantly decided to play for a different program and the mom was sharing why.
Corey “What does the best team mean to you?”
Corey “Well, it seems our definitions of ‘the best’ are different. How old is your son?”
Corey “To me, the best team is one in which he will be treated with respect, treated fairly, and treated the same as the rest of his teammates. The best team has coaches who care about their player’s like they are children of their own. The best team has a primary focus of player, team, and character development. Winning a game or event is second to these areas of focus. The best team will put your son in situations that he will succeed, and ones in which he may fail, all for the sake of furthering his development and providing experiences in which he will grow to unforeseen heights. The best team gives your son proper training, providing drills and situations that will test his decision making skills. The best team will push your fourth grader to strive to become a prepared fifth grader. The best team will motivate your son to become the best he can be.”
