First Class Lacrosse Podcast

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In the first episode of the Class Lacrosse podcast, hosts Matt Dunn and Deemer Class interview Notre Dame head coach Kevin Corrigan. Corrigan, who has been with Notre Dame for 38 years, discusses his coaching journey, including his early influences, challenges, and philosophy. The conversation covers his successful tenure at Notre Dame, characterized by multiple championship appearances, a robust defensive identity, and a commitment to player development both on and off the field. Corrigan also talks about the origins of the team's unique bagpipe tradition, the evolving nature of coaching, including how he balances discipline with creativity, and the different ways athletes have changed over the years. He emphasizes the importance of core values such as gratitude, passion, and hard work in building a successful program.

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro & Bagpipes

5:00 - Background

15:30 - Defensive Prowess

22:00 - Learning From Others

26:20 - Defying Fundamentals

35:40 - Coaching Hard & Impacts

55:00 - College Athletics

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On this episode of the First Class Lacrosse podcast, hosts Deemer Class and Matt Dunn interview Cornell University's head lacrosse coach, Connor Buczek. Discussing his journey from player to coach, Buczek talks about his leadership philosophy, the importance of culture at Cornell, and how he maintains high standards for the team. He also delves into the challenges of balancing coaching responsibilities with personal life, emphasizes the cultivation of strong player-coach relationships, and offers insights into the specific skills and mindset he instills in his players. The conversation touches on his experiences and mentorship from key figures like Tom Halley, and explores the dynamic of transitioning from a top player to leadership roles alongside former teammate Jordan Stevens.

Timecodes

0:00 - Connor's Background

5:00 - Coaching Philosophy

19:00 - Skill Development

30:30 - Cornell's Culture & Influences

42:30 - Growth as a Coach

51:30 - Transition to Leadership

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Deemer Class and Matt Dunn interview Yale University head women's coach Erica Bamford on the First Class Lacrosse podcast. Coach Bamford, a former US national team member and the 2024 Ivy League Coach of the Year, discusses leading Yale to back-to-back Ivy League tournament titles and NCAA quarterfinal appearances. They delve into her journey, the principles driving her team's success, and how she's fostered a winning culture at Yale. The interview also covers topics like the importance of connections with players, developing leadership in athletes, skill development, and efficient practice planning. A lighthearted discussion about New Haven's best pizza spots wraps up the episode.

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

5:40 - Career Ladder

19:15 - Persistence

24:45 - Culture & History

31:00 - Advice For Past Self

43:00 - Skill Development

59:15 - Authenticity & Pizza

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In this episode of the First Class Lacrosse podcast, hosts Deemer Class and Matt Dunn interview Joe Alberici, head coach of Army Men's Lacrosse. Alberici, who is in his 21st season, has led the Black Knights to significant achievements including multiple Patriot League titles and a number one national ranking in 2024. The discussion explores Alberici's coaching journey from Duke to West Point, his defensive strategies, and his commitment to player development. Alberici emphasizes the importance of discipline, mentorship, and vulnerability in building a strong team culture. The conversation also touches on the evolution of lacrosse tactics and the significance of relational coaching. Alberici shares insights into his practice planning methodology, highlighting the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in achieving success on the field.

Timecodes

0:00 - Workout Discipline

8:55 - Career & Coaching Outlook

21:15 - Toughness & Vulnerability

37:00 - Practice Philosophy

47:00 - Defensive Mindset

1:06:10 - The Modern Game

1:12:50 - Army's Success

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Matt Dunn and Deemer Class welcome University of Maryland women's head coach Cathy Reese. Celebrating her 20th season, Reese discusses her journey from a Maryland player to becoming the all-time winningest coach in Maryland's women's lacrosse history. The conversation covers her coaching philosophy, the importance of culture, player development, handling adversity, and the evolution of the sport. Reese also shares insights into her leadership style, mentorship, and personal connection to Maryland lacrosse. The episode highlights coach Reese’s unparalleled success, with a focus on her commitment to fostering individual growth and team cohesion.

Timecodes
0:00 - Terp To The Core
11:45 - Learning To Lose
17:40 - Return To Maryland
30:30 - Advice &  Affirmations
37:00 - Skills To Develop
46:00 - Trail Of Interest
54:00 - Maryland LAX Family

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Deemer Class and Matt Dunn interview University of Richmond men's lacrosse head coach Dan Chemotti. Coach Chemotti shares his journey of building the Richmond lacrosse program from its inception in 2014 to becoming a national contender with multiple NCAA tournament appearances. He discusses the importance of assistant coach Paul Richards in the program's success, his coaching philosophy emphasizing fundamentals and skill development, and the significant influences from his father and his mentor, coach Mike Messere. The conversation also touches on the unique dynamics of coaching alongside long-time friends and mentors, the strategies for player development, and the validation of achieving the program's first NCAA tournament win. Throughout, Coach Chemotti underscores the importance of discipline, attention to detail, and the cultural aspects that drive the program's success.

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

6:45 - Dan's Background

18:00 - Attention To Detail

24:30 - Skill Development

41:20 - Building Richmond

52:50 - Peer Support

58:30 - Playoff Validation

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Deemer Class and Matt Dunn sit down with Navy coach Cindy Timchal. A legendary figure in women's lacrosse, Timchal shares her journey to becoming the all-time wins leader in Division I women's lacrosse, with over 578 victories and eight national titles. The conversation explores Timchal's early influences, her approach to coaching, and the key lessons she's learned. They discuss the importance of mindset, player development, and specific coaching philosophies that have contributed to Timchal's success in building successful programs at Northwestern, Maryland, and the United States Naval Academy. The episode also highlights her significant impact on the sport and her strategies for mentoring the next generation of coaches.Timecodes

0:00 - Background

4:45 - Why Lax

12:00 - Being Demanding

18:00 - Program Building

28:00 - Mindset Evolutions

42:45 - Continue Success

51:00 - Drill Development

1:01:15 - Feedback Loop

1:11:00 - Coaching at Navy

1:15:30 - Coaching Advice

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Season two of the First Class Lacrosse podcast, hosts Deemer Class and Matt Dunn sit down with Joe Amplo, head coach of the United States Naval Academy men's lacrosse team. Amplo, who is entering his seventh season at Navy and has extensive experience building successful programs, shares insights into his leadership style, passion for the sport, and journey in lacrosse. He reflects on his upbringing in Long Island, his influences from mentors like Duke's John Danowski, and his experiences starting the Marquette lacrosse program. Additionally, Amplo discusses the challenges and rewards of coaching at Navy, emphasizing the importance of relationships, teaching, and building a cohesive team culture. The conversation also touches on his personal anecdotes, such as his family's Italian culinary traditions and the upcoming lacrosse facility at Navy.

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

4:00 - Joe's Background

14:15 - Defensive Mindset

19:45 - Learning Styles

26:45 - Never Stop Coaching

31:45 - Building Marquette

40:25 - Tales of Kris Amplo

44:00 - Navy Is Special

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Deemer Class, Stephen Rehfuss, and Matt Dunn break down the men's and women's Final Four weekend, highlighting key games, players, and performances. The men's Cornell vs. Penn State and Maryland vs. Syracuse matches are examined, focusing on strong team cultures and standout players like CJ Kirst and Logan McNaney. The episode also covers the women's champions, UNC, and the standout performances of Chloe Humphrey and other key players. Moving forward, the hosts provide recruiting advice for the class of 2027, including email strategies, timeline expectations, and the importance of mindset and self-reflection in the recruiting process. The episode concludes with a discussion on setting realistic expectations and adjusting to the recruiting landscape.

Timecodes

0:00 - PLL Musings

7:00 - Cornell Wins Men's Title

25:30 - UNC Wins Women's Title

36:00 - Recruiting Season Begins

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Deemer Class, Stephen Rehfuss and Matt Dunnare breaking down an exciting weekend of lacrosse quarterfinals across the men's and women's brackets. They review tight contests, highlight standout performances, and preview upcoming semifinal and championship matchups. The team delves into pivotal games such as Syracuse's high-scoring battle with Princeton and Penn State's remarkable comeback against Notre Dame. They also discuss strategic insights, including defensive slide packages, use of zones, and offensive schemes against various defenses. On the women's side, Deemer provides a detailed preview of the semifinals, emphasizing key players and matchups. Additionally, the episode touches on the outstanding individual performances driving the race for the Tewaaraton Award, covering both men's and women's lacrosse.

Timecodes

0:00 - Cornell def. Richmond

4:45 - Syracuse def. Princeton

12:45 - Penn St def. Notre Dame

26:15 - Maryland def. Georgetown

31:50 - Syracuse vs Maryland Preview

39:15 - PSU vs Cornell Preview

47:45 - UNC vs Florida Preview

51:30 - BC vs Northwestern

58:30 - Final Thoughts