Private School Lacrosse Thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prep just needs to sit back and relax with the understanding that it will not be the prominant power in the IAC for athletics. Landon, Bullis, EPS and even St. Albans have all stepped up their games in football and lacrosse. Prep had a great year in hoops but you only need to have a couple really outstanding recruits to do this. This doesn’t work in football and lacrosse. And GZ is now preferred by many families who would have sent their sons to Prep in the past.

And St Johns which has a much better location for Montgomery County and NW DC families and way better facilities than Gonzaga.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the people that actually matter, there is no problem with the current Prep lacrosse program.

This is a false statement. I know several prominent alums who are outraged at the state of the current lacrosse program, some of them have deep pockets too.

Not all of them are banging on the door to bring back Giblin but do feel change is needed on the current staff.

Well, we will have to disagree on who is "prominent" and who is "outraged" and who knows what they are talking about and who doesn't.

The good news is we will see who is right based on what actually occurs.

If Urick is replaced and the school goes about a high-energy search to find a replacement, you may be right.

If they don't, than I guess you are wrong or you misread your sources, didn't know who actually mattered or just made this up.

Even those who like Giblin the most recognize there is zero chance that would ever even be considered.

Look if anyone "prominent" is not alarmed with the direction of the program at Prep, they are not looking after the best interests of the school and the current student athletes. This is not Sidwell Friends. Giblin is not the answer, but it is not Urick either. There are dozens of high school coaches in this region who are 'program builders' that would be superior to the current coach in energy, relationship building and instruction. Admit the mistake and cut your losses. Once you screw up a succession plan it takes years to recover....poor on field results> lack of interest from talented players who go to other programs (many in IAC/WCAC) > worse on field performance > repeat.

This sounds like a post from one of those "program builders" that would like to interview for the job.

When was the last time a Prep coach was fired because of a popular uprising over team performance? I'd say the answer to that is "Never".

If losing to Landon when Prep had a superior team was a mortal sin, Fagan and Paro would have been fired decades ago.

Besides, I don't think the school is all that interested in the recommendations of Landon, Bullis and Gonzaga boosters.

There is no alarm on the part of anyone who really counts. The return of the lax program to being just another sport offered is fine.

[Anonymous]

When was the last time a Prep coach was fired because of a popular uprising over team performance? I'd say the answer to that is "Never".

so false, just ask Dwayne Bryant why he was dismissed from the basketball program!

[Anonymous]

Prep clearly does not place an emphasis on athletics:

https://www.gprep.org/athletics/athletic-facilities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

When was the last time a Prep coach was fired because of a popular uprising over team performance? I'd say the answer to that is "Never".

so false, just ask Dwayne Bryant why he was dismissed from the basketball program!

Once again, wrong, uninformed and ignorant.

Dwayne Bryant went to a better job just down the Pike.

He was a particular favorite of Fr. George's, who knew him when he played at Georgetown.

When he was at Prep he was pretty much allowed to do whatever he wanted. And he was generally unsuccessful at it considering that he had future NBA All Stars on the team.

Where do people come up with this wild stuff? Imagine that Stone Ridge would hire anyone for AD who had been fired as the GP basketball coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the people that actually matter, there is no problem with the current Prep lacrosse program.

This is a false statement. I know several prominent alums who are outraged at the state of the current lacrosse program, some of them have deep pockets too.

Not all of them are banging on the door to bring back Giblin but do feel change is needed on the current staff.

Well, we will have to disagree on who is "prominent" and who is "outraged" and who knows what they are talking about and who doesn't.

The good news is we will see who is right based on what actually occurs.

If Urick is replaced and the school goes about a high-energy search to find a replacement, you may be right.

If they don't, than I guess you are wrong or you misread your sources, didn't know who actually mattered or just made this up.

Even those who like Giblin the most recognize there is zero chance that would ever even be considered.

Look if anyone "prominent" is not alarmed with the direction of the program at Prep, they are not looking after the best interests of the school and the current student athletes. This is not Sidwell Friends. Giblin is not the answer, but it is not Urick either. There are dozens of high school coaches in this region who are 'program builders' that would be superior to the current coach in energy, relationship building and instruction. Admit the mistake and cut your losses. Once you screw up a succession plan it takes years to recover....poor on field results> lack of interest from talented players who go to other programs (many in IAC/WCAC) > worse on field performance > repeat.

This sounds like a post from one of those "program builders" that would like to interview for the job.

When was the last time a Prep coach was fired because of a popular uprising over team performance? I'd say the answer to that is "Never".

If losing to Landon when Prep had a superior team was a mortal sin, Fagan and Paro would have been fired decades ago.

Besides, I don't think the school is all that interested in the recommendations of Landon, Bullis and Gonzaga boosters.

There is no alarm on the part of anyone who really counts. The return of the lax program to being just another sport offered is fine.

What happened with Charlie Horning? His two year record of 25-11 is better than Urick's 23-14. I believe he was a long time assistant coach at Prep. Did he leave on his own, or was he let go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the people that actually matter, there is no problem with the current Prep lacrosse program.

This is a false statement. I know several prominent alums who are outraged at the state of the current lacrosse program, some of them have deep pockets too.

Not all of them are banging on the door to bring back Giblin but do feel change is needed on the current staff.

Well, we will have to disagree on who is "prominent" and who is "outraged" and who knows what they are talking about and who doesn't.

The good news is we will see who is right based on what actually occurs.

If Urick is replaced and the school goes about a high-energy search to find a replacement, you may be right.

If they don't, than I guess you are wrong or you misread your sources, didn't know who actually mattered or just made this up.

Even those who like Giblin the most recognize there is zero chance that would ever even be considered.

Look if anyone "prominent" is not alarmed with the direction of the program at Prep, they are not looking after the best interests of the school and the current student athletes. This is not Sidwell Friends. Giblin is not the answer, but it is not Urick either. There are dozens of high school coaches in this region who are 'program builders' that would be superior to the current coach in energy, relationship building and instruction. Admit the mistake and cut your losses. Once you screw up a succession plan it takes years to recover....poor on field results> lack of interest from talented players who go to other programs (many in IAC/WCAC) > worse on field performance > repeat.

This sounds like a post from one of those "program builders" that would like to interview for the job.

When was the last time a Prep coach was fired because of a popular uprising over team performance? I'd say the answer to that is "Never".

If losing to Landon when Prep had a superior team was a mortal sin, Fagan and Paro would have been fired decades ago.

Besides, I don't think the school is all that interested in the recommendations of Landon, Bullis and Gonzaga boosters.

There is no alarm on the part of anyone who really counts. The return of the lax program to being just another sport offered is fine.

What happened with Charlie Horning? His two year record of 25-11 is better than Urick's 23-14. I believe he was a long time assistant coach at Prep. Did he leave on his own, or was he let go?

Charlie Horning was a parent and had no interest in being a coach for a long term.

Once their sons walk off that platform on the lawn next to the Chapel on graduation day, parental interest in the school goes way down. Unless of course, the parent is also an alum. But even then, GP alum, let the Jesuits and staff run the school unless they are on the Board.

The Athletic Director and Head Football coach is also an alum and has a very significant amount of support from his friends and classmates. Some of these people funded major sections of the new buildings. So anyone who wanted to try and leverage the AD would have to overcome these heavyweights.

The lacrosse program at Prep for the first 10 years of its existence (1987-97) was a low level activity that had a few kids that had played at Mater Dei and some football players trying to stay in shape (except for Matt Hahn). The program got better in 1997 and started to challenge Landon. (97 and 98 Prep v. Landon games were 1 goal wins for Landon, but the gap had closed)

So the great majority of the alums that are over 40 years have no connection to the Lacrosse program unless their sons played on it. These older alumni are the sources of financial support and they still see Prep as a football-school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prep clearly does not place an emphasis on athletics:

https://www.gprep.org/athletics/athletic-facilities

Using Facilities spending as an indicator of commitment to Athletics is a risky proposition.

Georgetown University, until recently, had awful facilities. Did that mean they weren't serious about winning? Of course not.

Bill George, SJ, came to Prep from being a fundraiser from Georgetown. At Prep he raised money and spent it.

That decision to build these facilities does not bind Prep to being an athletic factory forever. These are two separate decisions made by different people in different time eras. As the saying goes, "That was then. This is now."

The new surface on the football field did have one positive impact on Prep lacrosse. Until that was finished, the lacrosse team was not allowed on the hallowed football field for practice or for games. The Lax team games and practices were relegated to the steeply-sloped field next to Georgetown Pike.

When supporters who were in the construction business offered to level that field for free, the Prep AD declined because it would make one of the holes on the Prep golf course less attractive.

[Anonymous]

If Urick were to leave the GP job or be asked to leave, it might be a good idea to pick a Prep alumnus to succeed him.

This person would be better received and have a better feel for this unique environment.

The STA coach is a GP alum. Are there others involved in Lax coaching at the high school or college level?

[Anonymous]

sounds like Prep AD is the person who is holding GP athletics back.

When you are the largest school in the conference by a wide margin, have the facilities that GP offers, there is no reason why Prep should not be kicking ASS in the IAC. GP is not STA either when it comes to academics either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sounds like Prep AD is the person who is holding GP athletics back.

When you are the largest school in the conference by a wide margin, have the facilities that GP offers, there is no reason why Prep should not be kicking ASS in the IAC. GP is not STA either when it comes to academics either.

Holding GP athletics back? What a ridiculous statement. He is the Athletic Director - not the Lacrosse (at all costs) Director. Take the time to review Prep's IAC W-L records, and IAC championships, in the Fall / Winter / Spring sports for 2017-2018, then try to make that statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sounds like Prep AD is the person who is holding GP athletics back.

When you are the largest school in the conference by a wide margin, have the facilities that GP offers, there is no reason why Prep should not be kicking ASS in the IAC. GP is not STA either when it comes to academics either.

Holding GP athletics back? What a ridiculous statement. He is the Athletic Director - not the Lacrosse (at all costs) Director. Take the time to review Prep's IAC W-L records, and IAC championships, in the Fall / Winter / Spring sports for 2017-2018, then try to make that statement.

PP is correct, AD is '79 alum and is also the current head football coach and did not like when Prep lax under Giblin became the headline program at the school. Sadly, this lead to AD de-emphasizing lax, letting it whither on the vine and hiring a lackluster head coach when he could have picked from a number of outstanding replacements. To be clear AD's job is to hire the finest coaches for every sport and provide an environment where student athletes in every sport can be successful. Hardly a win "at all costs" approach when you have families paying $40K+ ($60K for boarding) per year at a school like Prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holton moms, the moment you have been waiting for!

Holton #18

SSSAS #19

https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/high-school/rankings/the-streak-ends-bringing-new-national-no-1-to-the-fore

and lets not leave out other local teams with:

Visi #7

BI at #10.

Agree! I think the OP was trying to insult Holton for their success, something I can’t fathom. Holton girls are definitely excited for the national recognition and I’m sure Visi and BI are too. Great seasons girls.

Thanks for sharing OP but seek help for your pathological need to disparage Holton, it must be hard to be filled with such ill will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Urick were to leave the GP job or be asked to leave, it might be a good idea to pick a Prep alumnus to succeed him.

This person would be better received and have a better feel for this unique environment.

The STA coach is a GP alum. Are there others involved in Lax coaching at the high school or college level?

Not a crazy idea:
The 2013 Outstanding Alumni Award honors Rory Hyland (’02), team captain for Prep’s first IAC hockey championship in 2002. During his four seasons on the ice (1998-2002), Rory gained recognition as one of Prep’s greatest player of the golden years era: fast, agile and highly skilled...Rory’s sports and leadership skills were notable, serving as the team captain of both the lacrosse and hockey teams as a Prep senior. From Prep, Rory played college lacrosse at Brown University. Afterwards, he returned home as a “Man for Others” to help coach Prep lacrosse during their storied 49 game win streak. Rory moved to San Diego 5 years ago, where he teaches math and continues his commitment to youth sports as the lacrosse coach at La Jolla Country Day. In his first year, he led the program to their first ever Coastal Conference title.

[Anonymous]

Football is a dying sport - especially in private schools. My son plays now (hs) and my husband played in college but even they both acknowledge that the appetite for it is waning. It’s true nationwide but even more so in this area because it’s a populace with high HHI and education levels. Football will soon only be played at schools where families are looking for a ticket to a better life financially regardless of the cost. Lacrosse OTOH is the fastest growing sport nationwide right now.