Every Spring, my dad (Coach Wink) and I travel the country to visit colleges, club directors, and high school coaches. It’s a great opportunity for us to build relationships with quality people in the lacrosse world, and learn more about some of the lacrosse programs doing a great job. Below is a little write-up from last year’s trip to Connecticut, where we saw Wesleyan, Trinity, Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac, and Yale.
College Road Tours are great for families who are being recruited to play in college as well. Recruitable athletes can learn so much about schools that aren’t always written on a pamphlet or school website. I hope you get something out of our CT College Road Tour blog below!
Wesleyan
First stop, Wesleyan college, home of the Cardinals. Ideally situated on the Connecticut River, Wesleyan is a small New England liberal arts college that is far from traditional. Since 1831, Wesleyan has created one of the top art and science educations in the country.
With 45 majors, 14 minors, and 12 certificates, Wesleyan has plenty of opportunity for its students to discover what they love to do. The campus has a mix of modern architectural design and 19th century landmark buildings. The large central green on campus has students chillin’, readin’, and movin’ from dorm to class, and for the atheltes to practice.
The athletic facilities are superb. The Men’s Lacrosse Program contends for the NESCAC Championship each year. The Ladies Program is under new leadership, with an impressive young Head coach looking to compete with the best of the best in Division III.
Our first meeting was with the Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach. John Raba has been working at Wesleyan for 20 years. In the early 21st century, Raba led the Cardinals to two consecutive NCAA Division III Final Fours. Coach Raba is well respected amongst other coaches in his conference, as well as coaches within the lacrosse community.
Coach Raba has a presence about him. He looks like an athlete and speaks like an experienced coach. Raba was a University of New Haven graduate and was an All-American lacrosse player for the Chargers in 1994. On the gridiron, Raba was a 2-time all-New England pick as a fullback an earned UNH male athlete of the year in 1991 & 1992. As a coach, John Raba has been working as Wesleyan’s full-time head coach for 20 years. Raba led Wesleyan to the final four in consecutive seasons in 2006 & 2007. Raba has built Wesleyan into being one of the most competitive Division III programs in the country
After sitting down with Coach Raba for nearly an hour, I was blown away by how competitive it is to get into the school. His lacrosse program can only get in 1 low band player per graduating class. In Wesleyan’s standards, a low band is no featherbrain. A low band typically consists of over a 3.0 GPA and 1200 SAT score. Lots of players on his roster have to get into the school on their own and then they will get the opportunity to play on his team.
A poster on Coach Raba’s wall read “Since 1831, Wesleyan has been the art and science of education.” The history of the school is just one of the many fascinating things that drives some of the most competitive student-athletes to apply each year. (For more interesting facts about Wesleyan, check out the ‘Did You Know?’ section below.)
Coach Raba’s meeting concluded around noon and he led us down the hallway to meet with first year Head Coach, Kim Williams. I had the pleasure of meeting Kim when she was an assistant at Colby College up in Waterville, ME. I was working with the Colby Men’s Lacrosse team alongside Justin Domingos and John Odierna when I met Kim. It was obvious she would one day lead a lacrosse program. Kim is composed, knowledgeable, sincere, and has a true passion for coaching. What’s most impressive about Kim is that she’s changing the culture of Wesleyan already. The roster is refined to 25 girls, all players who are committed to changing Wesleyan for the better. This number seems astronomical when compared to the Kings College Roster circa 2014/15. During that time, Assistant Coach Rachel Welch was competing 1 player down for 3 games! Welch was brought on by Williams and seems to really have a thirst for developing as a coach and learning about the game. Last year, Wesleyan finished last in their conference. After hearing this fact, Coach Wink and I began to wonder, why?
We’ve always been fascinated by the set-up of the NESCAC Conference. We think it’s so great that players get a chance to attend such an awesome school, play a high-level of lacrosse, and get the chance to study abroad. With that said, we asked Coach Williams if players going abroad for the fall had any negative effects on the team’s performance in the spring. Coach Williams responded, “I support the NESCAC set-up, allowing players to study abroad in the fall. I make it clear that you will need to work twice as hard when you get back.”
Making players work twice as hard is exactly what coach Williams has done. She got her first career win as a Head Coach for Wesleyan in her second game, beating Wheaton in overtime.Coach Williams is also doing her part for her athletes off the field. She has a women’s athlete networking event set-up for her girls in April. “It’s important for us to clearly communicate our mission to potential recruits, current players, and those at Wesleyan,” said Coach Williams, “if we continue to do this, everyone will know what to expect.”
I have no doubt Coach Williams will turn Wesleyans’ lacrosse program around and make them one of the best teams in the country. It was a pleasure getting a chance to learn more about her program and we look forward to seeing her continue to thrive as a Head Coach.
Wesleyan – Did you know?
The scallop shells in the school shield is a symbol for a pilgrimage and later came to symbolize anyone who had made long journeys or voyages to foreign countries. Decorated shields were used I medieval warfare to identify knights and their soldiers during battle. Pilgrims on their way to battle wore a scallop on their hats.
The Davidson Rare Book Room in Wesleyan’s Olin Library includes more than 125 books printed between ca. 1455, when printing with moveable type was invented in the west, and 1500
Wesleyan had a student vegetarian club as early as the 1830s. The Physiological Society, as it was called, followed the teachings of Sylvester Graham, the inventor of the graham cracker.
Woodrow Wilson (President from 1913 to 1921) taught history and political economy at Wesleyan from 1888 to 1890
On May 3, 1970, the Grateful Dead gave a free concert at Wesleyan.
Trinity College
Located in Hartford, CT, Trinity is a traditional New England college. Our first meeting at Trinity was with the Men’s Lacrosse staff: Head Coach Mike Higgins, Assistant Coach Brian Praetorius, and Assistant Coach John Carroll. FLG has built a quality relationship with the Trinity Men’s Lacrosse Staff through the years. Coach Praetorius is one of the hardest working Assistant Coaches on the recruiting trail. He is constantly moving, watching, and recruiting some of America’s top rising juniors and seniors. Coach Carrol and I played together growing up in High School. He was a quality player at Albany and always had a deep passion for the game. Coach Higgins is a stand-up guy. His moral compass aligns with ours and has proved to be very well-liked and respected by his players and peers.
The beauty of our meeting with Trinity and their coaches was the openness to discuss different topics surrounding the sport. We talked coaching philosophies, developing leadership skills, X’s & O’s, and even got a chance to talk to some of the players on the team. Coach Praetorius had 1 of his freshman stop in to talk shop while we hung out and listened. It’s amazing how much attention to detail their players have when it comes to learning the ins and outs of the game.
Coach Higgins mentioned that Trinity has a new Dean of Admissions. While he’s not entirely sure how that’s going to effect his recruiting approach, he does know for certain that Trinity is becoming a test optional school. Hopefully this gives Trinity an opportunity to get in some of those Blue Chip recruits that historically couldn’t get through admissions.
After meeting with the Men’s Lacrosse Staff, we jumped across the hall to visit the Trinity Women’s Lacrosse Coaches. The Trinity Women’s Lacrosse Program is led by a young, motivated coach from Long Island, Katy Dissinger. Alongside Coach Dissinger is Betsy Sachs, who was a two-time All-American at Bowdoin. Both coaches played at Bowdoin and are very familiar with the NESCAC Conference.
In Coach Dissinger’s first season as Head Coach, she took home the Women’s Division III National Championship. On the wall of her office is a signed poster from Coach K, congratulating the young coach on her Championship. Katy is a very impressive young coach. She is enthusiastic, positive, and has a deep knowledge for the game. To think she already has a National Championship as a late twenty something is outstanding. I’m sure this is only the beginning of her success as a college lacrosse coach.
Trinity College – Did You Know?
Trinity students represent 43 states and 63 countries
Big believers in independent thinking, Trinity strives to help students pursue whatever path piques their interest.
More than 50% of undergraduates study abroad
With a 10:1 student to faculty ratio, Trinity give the 2,200 students important access to teachers.
Trinity is in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), which also includes Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connectivut, Hamilton, Middlebury, Wesleyan, Williams, and Tufts
The Trinity Women’s Lacrosse team takes 5 to 7 players per recruiting class.
“Being that there is no Fall Ball in the NESCAC, it’s important for athletes to be self-motivated. They need to push themselves and one another to be in shape, improve their skills, and come into the season ready to go!” -Katy Dissinger
Quinnipiac University
Home of the Bobcats, Quinnipiac has two of the best hockey programs in the country. The men and women Hockey teams are both top 5 in the country, with the Men winning the National Championship in 2015. A regular season ticket against in state rival, Yale, can cost an upwards of $150!
On a flawless February day, we met with the Quinnipiac Women’s lacrosse staff to discuss recruits, the recruiting process, and the Quinnipiac Program as a whole. First year Head Coach, Danie Caro and 3rd year Assistant, Katy Fairbrother, were both Quinnipiac Women’s lacrosse players. Their passion for the school and memorable experience as studletes brought them back to lead the Bobcast back to competitive greatness. Currently, the Quinnipiac ladies are in a rebuilding year. With the loss of their long-time head coach, they are in the process of finding a new identity and bringing in great young talent. Currently, they have a good amount of freshmen getting burn and plan on bringing in one of their most competitive classes to date in fall of 2016. The women’s program is fully funded with 12.6 scholarships and two-full time paid assistants. Besides bringing in talent and having a fully funded Program, the lady bobcats will be operating out of a new multi-million dollar lacrosse stadium starting in 2017. The stadium will be equipped with new locker rooms, film room, bleachers, and a turf field.
With some stability, consistency, leadership, and quality talent, the future looks very bright for the Women’s Lacrosse Program at Quinnipiac. They have 3 motivated young coaches, who’s passion for the game is evident.
Quinnipiac University – Did You Know?
There is a 3 + 1 Business Program which some players are in, and it doesn’t conflict with practice times!
Quinnipiac is a big nursing school. Nurses miss all the weekday practices.
Lots of the coaches in the Quinnipiac Athletic Department are alumni to the school.
Studletes can earn up to $24,000 is academic scholarship money. Academic money is awarded if top you’re in the top 10% of your class, get a 1200 or higher on the SAT, over have a 3.5 GPA or higher.
The University and Athletic Department offer networking events for athletes to better prepare them for life after college. .
Currently, Quinnipiac’s sports teams are not sponsored.
Coach Caro said popular questions/comments from young recruits we get on campus are:
- Are you sponsored?
- I don’t have any questions.
- Can I play here?
- Parents speaking for players.
Yale
Founded in 1701, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
For 13 years, Head Coach Andy Shay and Assistant Coach Graham Niemi have been quietly building one of the most competitive men’s lacrosse programs in the country. What’s most impressive, they’ve been doing it while recruiting some of the brightest studletes in the game of lacrosse. In 2013, when Yale played in the NCAA Quarterfinal game against the Maryland Terrapains, every player on their roster had an Academic Index that was over 200. The Academic Index, or A.I., is number given to each student based on High School GPA, testing, and where they stand in their High School class. Typically, Ivy League lacrosse programs will take athletes with a minimum of 176. A perfect A.I. is 240. So, having an entire starting line-up in a NCAA Quarter-Final game with an average A.I. of 200 is wildly impressive.
Showing up a Reese Stadium brought back memories, both good and bad. In 2008 & 2010, my college team visited Yale to play in-season Ivy contests. While we got the most of the Bulldogs in our first meeting, the score was 10-0 before we blinked our eyes in the second. This time, I was back at Resse for another reason, to meet with Assistant Coach Graham Niemi and learn more about how Yale has continued its rise to the top.
Coach Niemi first showed Coach Wink and I around the newly renovated Reese Stadium, before taking us to the historic Yale Bowl. Yale’s infamous football stadium oozes with history, filled with stories of old, sharing murals of legendary players and coaches. Coach Niemi shared some amazing stories about Grant Hill’s father, one of the greatest lacrosse players John Reesse, and stories from some of Yale’s most epic coaches.
After sharing the history of the Yale Bowl, Coach Niemi took us into the film room underneath the Reese Stadium bleachers. This is where Yale develops their lacrosse IQ. Offensive, and defensive units dissect film, enhancing their understanding for the sport, their opponent, or their position. My favorite part about the Yale Lacrosse Program is their constant focus on player development. These coaches are bringing in some of the most impressive young men in the country, born leaders, athletes, and students. Instead of relying on their player’s natural abilities, they instill a culture of becoming the best version of oneself. The Yale Lacrosse Program doesn’t just develop their athletes because they know they should, or because they know it will help them win. They do it because they enjoy it. There is an innate passion within this coaching staff that screams We love what we do. It’s refreshing. It’s contagious. It’s fun to be around.
I’m sure Yale will continue their success this season. It’s inevitable. They do it right. They train. They work. They repeat.
Yale – Did you Know?
Yale has 5,435 undergraduate students, with 6,859 graduate & professional students
Yale was renamed in honor of Welsh merchant Elihu Yale, who had donated the proceeds from the sale of nine bales of good together with 417 books and a portrait of King George I
1776, twenty-five Yale men served in the Continental Congress, and four Yale graduates signed the Declaration of Independence
1880, Yale student, Walter Camp, develops the modern game of football. Camp is now known as the father of American Football, introduced the down, the eleven-man team, and the 100 yard field marked off in a gridiron.
1920, Yale students invent the Frisbee, tossing pie plates from the Frisbie Pie Company to each other and calling “Frisbie!”
1969, the first women admitted to the college enroll in the School of the Fine Arts
2016, of all the Universities or Colleges outside of New York, Yale has the most Long Island players on their men’s lacrosse roster.
Sacred Heart
It’s 11am and the Sacred Heart Men’s Lacrosse team is practicing on the Stadium Field in preparation for a Saturday game against Providence. From the first whistle of practice to the last, everything was planned, timed, and done at full speed. You can tell the Pioneers plan their work and work their plan. Although this practice was intended to scout the players of their next opponent, the team still received a tremendous amount of skill development, lacrosse IQ development, decision-making skills, and positional work.
Players moved quickly between and through drills. There were no breaks. The coaches valued their field space as if they were paying $1,000 per hour. Their huddles were tight, players focused, and when the coaches spoke, the athletes listened.
Coach Basti has been an assistant coach for most of his career. For the first time, he’s leading a collegiate lacrosse program. If I had to choose 1 word to describe Coach Basti, I’d probably choose passionate.
“My players are like my kids,” says Basti, “ if I don’t help develop my kids into being successful young men, I’ve failed.” Basti sees himself as more than a lacrosse coach. Basti sees himself as an educator. “I love this game. The practices, the games, all that’s the fun stuff. But your lacrosse career only lasts 4 years. Teaching our kids about respect, grit, and hard work, those are the most valuable lessons that last a lifetime.” In just 2 seasons, the Pioneers Men’s lacrosse team have gone from having a 2.6 team GPA to averaging 3.3 GPA. Another proud moment came when the coaching staff found out the Sacred Heart Men’s Lacrosse team accumulated more community service hours in 2015 than any other team on campus.
These small victories have made a tremendous impact for a culture that’s changing for the better. The next step for SHU to separate themselves from the rest of the NEC is getting big time athletes. Currently, Coach Basti and Coach Miyashita only have 1 of their own recruiting classes playing for them. Next year, they reload with 16 stud 2016’s. SHU plays some of the best teams in the country. They don’t plan on being looked at as a low level Division I Program for long. After spending all day on campus with the team and coaches, I know they will be making noise very soon.
Sacred Heart – Did You Know?
Baseball Manager and Connecticut icon Bobby Valentine is the new Athletic Director at Sacred Heart.
The wife of Assistant Men’s Lacrosse Coach, Mark Miyashita, is doing a long-term study on the effects of impact. Each member of the Sacred Heart Men’s Lacrosse Program has a chip in their helmet that accumulates data on high impact hits, impact locations, and much more.
Sacred Heart is pumping millions of dollars into improving the infrastructure of the University.
If you enjoyed reading about FLG’s Connecticut College Road Tour, be sure to follow us on Twitter as we make our next stop in Boston, Massachusetts.
