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?

In this episode of New England Lacrosse Journal's Chasing The Gold podcast, host Kyle Devitte engages in a comprehensive conversation with Jake Bernhardt, head coach of Colby men’s lacrosse team. Kyle explores Jake’s journey from his upbringing in a football family to playing lacrosse at the University of Maryland, his professional career, and eventual transition to coaching. The discussion covers Jake’s coaching philosophy, strategies for balancing offensive and defensive play, and adapting to new environments as he moved from Florida to Vermont and then to Colby. Jake provides insights into the recruiting process within the competitive NESCAC conference and shares experiences of developing a winning team identity at Colby. Key points include managing team dynamics, the importance of setting realistic goals, and fostering relationships within the lacrosse community. The episode offers a detailed look into the challenges and rewards of collegiate lacrosse coaching, emphasizing strategies for success and continuous improvement.

Topics

00:44 Jake Bernhardt's Background and Early Life

01:06 Transition to College and Professional Lacrosse

03:45 Coaching Influences and Philosophy

09:13 Coaching at Colby and First Season Challenges

16:46 Building the Coaching Staff and Future Plans

20:43 National Recruiting Strategy

21:07 Lacrosse Popularity in New England

22:39 Welcoming Freshmen to the Program

24:24 NESCAC Admissions Process

25:43 Colby's Unique Selling Points

28:03 Building a Competitive Team

30:38 Offensive and Defensive Strategies

39:59 Setting Realistic Goals for the Season

42:01 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode of New England Lacrosse Journal's Chasing the Goal podcast, Kyle welcomes Dan Rosenak, owner of Flow State Yoga Therapy and former Clark University lacrosse player. The conversation begins with Dan's introduction to lacrosse in high school and his journey through different athletic pursuits. Dan shares his transition from playing and coaching lacrosse to a career in sales and marketing with Black & Decker, eventually leading him to Hawaii. The discussion covers Dan's experiences playing and coaching lacrosse in Hawaii, his return to the East Coast, and his roles in youth development with Harlem Lacrosse. Dan talks about the life-changing impact of COVID-19, his shift to yoga practice for balancing personal health, and how it became Flow State Yoga Therapy. He provides insights into the significance of connecting body, breath, and mind, offering practical tips for physical and mental well-being. The episode also touches on societal challenges and the value of maintaining a healthy mental state amidst career and personal transitions.

Topics

00:46 Dan's Early Lacrosse Journey

02:59 College Lacrosse Experience

07:53 Post-College and Coaching

09:12 Life in Hawaii

16:55 Return to Philadelphia and Coaching

19:53 Transitioning from Coaching to Education

20:34 Volunteering with Harlem Lacrosse

22:16 Impact of COVID and Family Decisions

23:16 Discovering Yoga and Personal Balance

24:48 The Importance of Therapy and Mental Health

27:14 Yoga Practice and Its Benefits

32:54 Practical Tips for Connecting Mind and Body

40:11 Yoga Therapy: Individual and Group Work

44:10 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe Show