Someone once asked me if three was my lucky number, as it was and is my jersey number throughout college and for the US team. Growing up, my number was always 18… yes, an even number. Now, I look at this as some foreign concept that my identity was ever known as an even, double digit. So, you may ask, how did I come to wear a number as proud as #3?

Leaving high school, maintaining my #18 was very important to me. However, knowing that I was entering a team where that jersey number was being worn by a junior, and a very skilled junior, I knew I had to let that dream go. I would never again be known as good old 1-8. In addition, my head coach at Dartmouth had a very strong feeling that it was important to start fresh in college; to create a new emblem of identity to wow the collegiate scene.

My backup number to 18 had always been 13. It made no difference that it rivaled the evenness of 18; rather, it was simply the number of one of my best friends that I grew up with and with whom I played hockey. I must admit that when I wore #13, I did feel somewhat studly. Not only was it an odd number, but it was also a number that everyone either loved or hated. That appealed to me. However, once again, in college #13 was already taken.

Before heading off to college I consulted with a friend as she knew that the number I wore was important to me. She directed me towards the musical great Bob Marley and his song: “Three Little Birds.” To quote the song;

“Risin up this morning, smiled with the risin sun, THREE little birds pitch by my doorstep, singin sweet songs of melodies pure and true, sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou: singing don’t worry bout a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be all right.”

Instead of idolizing some athletic great and wanting to replicate their athletic successes my love for music and the message of this song directed me towards the number three. So, no, the number three is not my lucky number, but it has become a number that I can wear and also be happy with the reasons for and how I chose it. Now, I can’t ever imagine going back to 18, or even 13. That’s the reason for being 3.

I know everyone out there is in their lacrosse seasons. Good luck to everyone! To all my teammies training for camp in June and then off to THE WORLD CUP… CRUSH IT!

When I came out of college I was not positive what I wanted to do with my life. I had just come off my Senior season at JMU still wishing we could have ended it a little differently then we did but knowing I had the time of my life and it was something I would never regret or forget! I was so competitive (and still am) in everything that I did I was still searching for that drive to WIN in anything and everything I did.  So I realized, there was no better way to full fill this  feeling other then coaching and learning even more about the game then I already had… and that’s were I am today.

I have had so many coaches that have influenced me from the past, and now looking back I know that’s why I love coaching. I had coaches that not only taught me how to be a great lacrosse player and get better each time I stepped out on the field, weather it was practice or a game, but taught me how to be a better person! Taught me how to grow up and be a respectable person and carry myself in a way were people would know that I not only believed in myself but made them believe in me as well.

My dad was one of my first coaches and although he may not be my coach that is standing on the sideline today but is still my coach in a different way everyday. He taught me how to play with confidence without being cocky…. to work hard for what you want and never stop… and to love what you do, because once you stop loving it its time to move on. After teaching me how to do these things in life he has showed me how they can transition into lessons in life as well, and that’s what I truly believe every good coach does. At the end of the day the balls are put away and the sticks are put down…. but that doesn’t mean the attitude you learned to have and the confidence you have in yourself needs to be put away as well. Carrying this through life will teach you more then you could ever imagine, and I will always cherish what those great coaches from my past have taught me and let allow that to influence me everyday because I hope they realize what a great impact they have had on me.

It’s been a long road to get to this point but it’s final- the team has been chosen and we have one goal in mind- Bring Back The Cup!! It was only a couple of weeks ago when we were first introduced as the 2009 World Cup Team. It was probably one of the most proud moments of my life. I’m sure my teammates felt the same way. We were playing in the South of the Border tournament in North Carolina. That weekend was filled with great competition against collegiate teams Duke, UNC, JMU and some international competition against England and Wales.

We took the field on Friday night at Koskinen Stadium on Duke’s campus to face our first international match against England as the 2009 World Cup Team. As we took the field to start our warm up there was an overwhelming feeling of pride. If you look at this team from the stands there is no way that you can’t notice the love of this tight knit group. We put everything out there for each other every second of every play. As we were warming up I remember looking at the scoreboard- USA v ENGLAND and I thought to myself- Wow! That is US, we are the national team, we are representing this great country. It was and always will be one of the greatest moments for me. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this team and to play with the 17 other greatest teammates in the world. We are ONE!

Lacrosse has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade.  The athletes are stronger, faster and more aggressive.  The game is incredibly fan friendly, even for the novice who may not know the rules.

The best part about our sport is the ability to be creative.  There are so many things that you can do with and without the ball to score, or stop the scoring drive.  We have a lot of finesse in our sport, and the added aggression really showcases the athletic ability of today’s player.   The game is truly fun to play and coach.

As a coach, I could not think of a better time to be involved.  The athletes are challenging us to be better, to be more strategic, and to push their talents to the next level.  I also feel fortunate to be a part of a generation of coaches that saw the first “boom” in lacrosse.  I truly hope that the next cycle of growth comes soon, so that all the high quality assistant coaches will have their chance to earn head jobs at great universities.

To be a part of lacrosse during its most vibrant time is amazing.  To know that the athlete’s truest potential is being realized because of the improved quality of the equipment is also exciting.  We feel fortunate to be sponsored by Debeer.  I have no doubt that their sticks are the best on the market.  They have helped to take the game to the next level, and our athletes are benefitting from the technology.