More Than A Club

Philly Hall of Fame goaltending phenom Drew Adams shares his wise insights on “the journey” from Delco to the PLL and home again.

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After a high school All-American career Drew headed to Penn State University where he was ECAC Rookie of the Year, ECAC Goalie of the Year twice, and 3X USILA Honorable Mention All-American. Drew thrived as a professional playing for the MLL (Major Lacrosse League) New York Lizards where he played in six MLL All-Star games and won a League Championship in 2015. Additionally, he was MLL Goalie of the Year three times. He also played in the PLL for the Archers LC. On the international stage, Drew won a silver medal with Team USA in 2014. Since his retirement, Drew has been inducted into the eastern PA Chapter of the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame and has been busy living and working in the Villanova/Delco area. We hope you enjoy the show.

6:00: For parents: 

The even-keeled unconditional support from parents of student-athletes. Post-game in the Adams family. Subtle observations and support.

9:00: For coaches: 

Goaltending: First save the ball. Be mentally tough. Lead the team. It’s not a perfect science. Are there goalie non-negotiables?

17:56: For players: 

Culture building with the MLL New York Lizards – they made sacrifices! The Team USA experience and dealing with, playing with, and enjoying the talent of the Canadians.

Questions & Answers

24:50: Influential youth league and high school influential coaches. Coaches who made an impact growing up in a special community.

28:45: The tradition, the power, and the influence of Ridley lacrosse in the Philadelphia area.

31:17: The unfamiliar collegiate recruiting process – club influence and building confidence.

33:20: Choosing PSU and how the goalie recruiting process is different. PSU coaches made a difference.

37:14: PSU memories and heartbreaks. Trying to get “over the hump.”

39:00: Grant Ament and the foreshadowing commercial. A good full-circle story.

41:41: Finding mentors and finding one’s stride professionally.

44:40: Brian “Doc” Dougherty and the power of a “goalie community”.

47:00: Transitioning from the MLL to the PLL. Pushing a new league forward.

48:30: Coach Bates, Coach Resch, and the Archers LC. Special times.

50:00: Top shooters and the challenges they bring for a goalie. Canadians – again!

52:50: Walking away from the game. Work and family calls.

54:54: Rapid Fire NXT Homework

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Today’s guest, Paul Kubach is a well-respected referee in Philadelphia and takes us “behind the stripes” when it comes to being an official in today’s summer club, high school, and collegiate settings. Paul has “grown with the game” and is now the Treasurer and Assignor of The Greater Philadelphia Lacrosse Officials Association (GPLOA). 

Paul gives all listeners a perspective we usually don’t ask for, often assume we know better than, and shares how challenging it can be to call a consistent game. We hope you enjoy Paul’s insights as much as we enjoyed our time interviewing him. 

Youth Sports Hot Topics 

00:11: Introduction 

3:00: For parents: How refs view parents on the sideline. Do refs even care? Let’s not make it personal. A ref’s job is…… 

8:30: For players: Do palms up get a player anywhere?  Better calls? Coaches coach, players play, refs ref. Just focus on the next play and watch your language. 

14:45: For coaches: Breaking down the rulebook. The biggest challenges to calling a fair game. Being consistent. Do referees watch film? 

Questions & Answers 

23:30: Growing up in Northeast Philadelphia as a football and baseball guy. Go Eagles! 

24:24: Paul’s first introduction to lacrosse. Drop the ball……and never looked back. 

27:30: How do refs receive feedback and grow? Rulebook vs learning on the field. Rare calls. 

30:34: A convert to the game. How lacrosse won Paul over.  

31:50: How to get started as a referee and move up the ranks.  

36:00: Being a good ref is more than knowing the rules. It’s “how” you show up. 

36:45: Understanding all the rules….mens, womens, shot clocks, and more. Fan friendly?   

39:50: Calling big games.  Challenges, reflections, and eye black.   

44:47: GPLOA. What is it? And what is an Assignor?  How to get started as a ref. 

47:50: Rapid Fire NXT Homework 

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Today’s guest, Michael Sowers takes listeners on a journey through his lacrosse career. He touches on how unique it is to be a “coaches’ kid”, how important it is to learn how to play without the ball, and how important culture has been in his career. He has pronounced high school reflections, leading him to an incredible collegiate, international, and professional career.

Youth Sports Hot Topics

00:11: Introduction: Michael Sowers: A Humble Warrior.

2:08: For parents: The Importance of Playing Multiple Sports & Being a “Coaches Kid”.

6:47: For coaches: Being a Complete Attackman with and without the Ball.

15:38: For players: Culture Building from Upper Dublin to the PLL.

Questions & Answers

21:15: Youth ball: Friends for life, growing together. Regrets.

26:35: Running the Numbers

27:00: The Princeton Experience.

30:00: How did your game change at the college level?

31:40: From Covid Changed It All, but lead to Duke

35:00: PLL Waterdogs and Injury. A time away from the game.

37:50: Future Plans…….”I love the game”. USA (again)?

38:50: Word Association & Philly Love

40:15: Rapid Fire NXT Homework

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Questions & Answers

Introduction: Danielle Gallagher is a household name in the women’s lacrosse world. After a highly decorated playing career, she became a club leader and remains a force to reckon with.  A highly experienced coach, mentor and business owner, Danielle takes us for a spin around the girls club lacrosse scene and shares her passion and perspective along the way.

Youth Sports Hot Topics

Burnout 

The business of youth sports

The positive effects of social media on lacrosse 

Show Breakdown

00:13: Danielle’s Bio

02:14 Welcome Danielle

3:00  Danielle shares her background and experiences as a multi-sport athlete

4:30  Burnout

9:30  Danielle’s Colorado days and carving out her own path in the industry

11:30  Danielle made her way back to “the island” and founded Liberty Lacrosse

12:30  The girls lacrosse club scene takes off in the early 2000’s

15:30  Running a club is actually running a business

17:15  Danielle’s assessment of the current club landscape and her predictions for the future

19:30 What are  “Mini Pro Athletes”?

21:00  Competition between clubs & capitalism

24:24  Making the most of your club experience: “Club jumpers” don’t win in the end

26:40  Why are youth sidelines more toxic than high school sidelines?

35:25  The positive effects of social media on lacrosse 

39:45 HOMEWORK

Pod recommendation: Linda Flanagan on Youth Sports

41:17 How playing on the B team can make you a pro

This episode features Mike Corrado, longtime Head Coach of Villanova Men’s Lacrosse. While the guys definitely talk a lot about the Wildcats, we learn about Mike as a teacher, a Twenty-Two year Naval Officer, and how he sees things as a parent of a young athlete who loves multiple sports.

Here are some notes to help you enjoy this episode!

Youth Sports Hot Topics

For Parents, 3:00

We need more guidance - there’s a lot out there to navigate, it can be overwhelming

For Players, 7:10

Focus on the fundamentals of lacrosse. Even at the college level, the focus is on passing and catching

For Coaches, 12:30

Have 3-4 goals for your practice, with a plan that helps your team get there. Sample practice plan to maximize time

Getting to Know You

-From Baseball to Lacrosse at Islip High School

-Playing for Randy Marks at Villanova, going on to coach with him

-22 years of service in the Navy and Reserves

-Juggling a teaching career while being a part-time coach at ‘Nova

-Working with Jay Wright around campus 

-The 2009 Wildcats were the first to make the NCAA tournament, the 2011 team also stands out with some remarkable players

-Some love for Cleveland State Head Coach Andy German, and current VU coaches Chris Miller, Simon O’Connor

-Playing in the CAA, and now the Big East Conference amongst Denver, Georgetown

-The level of play in the Philly area is among the best in the country

-More on Mike’s Masters Degree and career as an educator 

Rapid Fire Homework, 35:05

For Coaches: 

Get to know your players off the field, even at the youth level 

For Parents:

 Let your child own their athletic experience

For Players: 

Fundamentals! 

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Thanks to all of our listeners out there! If you’d like to connect, please email Coach Leahy at [email protected].

Please help us grow by leaving a positive review and sharing your favorite episode on your social channels!

On this show, our special guest John Bodnar joins us to talk and learn more about the faceoff position.John is a teacher, coach, and the founder of the Philly Faceoff League. Here are some notes to help you enjoy this episode!

Youth Sports Hot Topic:

Managing Commitments, High School vs. Club 

Getting to Know You:

-From Madison, NJ to Cabrini University, with a special thanks to Coach Steve Colfer

-A dedicated educator with more than a decade of special ed teaching experience

-Coaching under Andy Hayes at Episcopal Academy

-The story and start of the Philly Face-off League, 11:00

-PFL Alums who are currently dominating the NCAAs, 15:00

-Partnering with friend Mike Dolente to gather and train the Philly area, and now training youth, middle school and high school athletes

-The mindset of a face-off midfielder, 19:00

-Talking more about the high school programs like Haverford School, Malvern Prep, Springfield, La Salle and more, 23:00

-Love for the unique and personal role as a face-off coach and mentor for many, 26:00

-Top traits of face-off guys, 32:30

-Reviewing the face-off rule changes 35:20

Homework, 37:00

For Coaches: 

Do more to incorporate face-offs into your practice 

For Players: 

Go be the most well-rounded lacrosse player you can

For Parents: 

Find somebody to help you plan ahead and don’t burn your kids out

More on PFL: www.phillyfaceoff.com/

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Thanks to all of our listeners out there! If you’d like to connect, please email [email protected].

Please help us grow by leaving a positive review and sharing your favorite episode on your social channels!