In this episode of the New England Lacrosse Journal's 'Chasing the Goal' podcast, host Kyle Devitte interviews Deemer Class, co-founder of First Class Lacrosse and former pro and Duke lacrosse player. They discuss Deemer's journey from youth sports to playing at a Division I powerhouse like Duke, the rigorous training that shaped his career, and the transition into professional lacrosse with MLL and PLL. Deemer shares insights into First Class Lacrosse, emphasizing the importance of intentional training, personalized coaching, and maintaining a love for the game. The conversation also touches on the evolving culture of lacrosse, the scrutiny of elite programs, and the valuable experiences at the Division II and III levels.

Topics

00:40 Deemer Class: Early Life and Lacrosse Journey

03:08 College Experience at Duke

04:58 Transition to Professional Lacrosse

07:18 Founding First Class Lacrosse

09:25 Reflections and Evolution of First Class Lacrosse

13:14 Lacrosse Culture and Training Philosophy

20:22 Developing Elite Training Events

29:26 Engaging Youth Lacrosse Coaches

30:33 The Importance of Speed and Reps

31:37 Personalizing Coaching Approaches

32:32 Challenges of Modern Coaching

36:15 Gamifying Lacrosse Drills

38:54 The Reality of College Lacrosse

47:48 Balancing Expectations and Reality

52:56 What's Next for First Class Lacrosse?