MCLAFan.com is proud to introduce Growing The Program, a summer content series presented by Maverik Lacrosse.

As we all know, the MCLA is growing and gaining more and more exposure each year. To help fuel the momentum, MCLAFan.com is conducting interviews with each and every coach in the MCLA about growing their program. We hope to create a valuable resource for current MCLA teams, new programs and potential recruits. We’re proud to have Maverik Lacrosse and Bigfoot Lacrosse on board to support this movement.
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Next we head to Easton, Massachusetts to check in Ryan Larkin and the Stonehill College men’s lacrosse program.

MCLA Fan: What are your goals for program growth this off-season? What are you doing to reach them?

Coach Larkin: Every year we have a lifting/cardio program for the players to work on throughout the summer so they get back in shape during fall ball.  This year we’ve put a huge emphasis on making sure every returning player get’s as much lacrosse experience as possible.  Whether that means tournaments, summer leagues or just pick up we want them playing all the time.  Once you start playing with Division 1, 2, 3 players all summer you learn quite a bit and naturally get better.  Half of learning in any sport is watching players more experienced then you and trying to duplicate things that work for them on the field.  We do what we can to help people get involved in these leagues as all of the coaches also play in them.

Where do you see your program in 5 years? How will it get there?

In 5 years I see us a making our 3rd or 4th trip to nationals and actually competing for a national title.  Each year our conference is underestimated by the rest of the country and each year our league champion does better and better at nationals. I think in 5 years we will be one of the best teams in one of the best conferences in the country. I would also like to have at least 75% of my players to be recruited rather then just show up and come out for the team.  It’s going to take a lot more work from the coaches (who all have full time jobs) but it’s worth it.

What are some key steps you’ve taken (or your program has taken) to promote your team on campus and create relationships with administration?

Our administration (Club sports dept) does a lot for our program in regards to the behind the scenes work.  They send out emails to the student body about every home game, advertise the team meeting at the beginning of the year and send out our alumni game info to all Stonehill alumni.  They also have recently created a team page for Men’s lacrosse on the Rec Sports website that has a game reports published on it and a link to the stats we post on the league website. We also will put in articles about a clinic etc.  This past year was on of our most successful in regards to promoting the team.  We were the first team ever to have the cover story in the New England Lacrosse Journal, we had an interview with myself published on InsideLacrosse.  We also started a facebook page that has photos, video highlights and stats of our season so family, friends, and alumni can follow us.

In terms of creating relationships with our program, we already have a pretty good relationship with our school and our administation which has taken awhile to establish.  Financially we get some money for refs and league dues but the players are largely responsible for our financial obligations.  This comes from out of pocket expenses and fundraising.
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Contact: Drew Adams, Maverik Lacrosse

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What has been the most important part of your program’s success so far?

I think the main success has been the commitment of the players and the alumni to seeing Stonehill become a successful program.  The players are all 100% committed and bought in to what we are trying to accomplish each season.  Although this main seem basic I think the fact that the coaching staff has been around for awhile has also helped us grow quite a bit.  Instead of having to figure out the program each year, we are figuring out how to make it better.  This is my 7th year, my first assistant coaches 5th year and my second assistants 3rd year.

Do you have any advice for other coaches (or team presidents) who are working to build a better program?

My advice would be always take your program seriously and don’t keep players who don’t.  Best thing we ever did was ask for more and push harder.  The more we asked the more the team responded and bought in.  Just because it’s considered a Club team by your school doesn’t mean you have to run it like one.    Every year we (the coaches) have a meeting before the season starts and discuss what we can do to make the program better this year.  It could be anything from taping every game to being stricter about the lifting program.  We give ourselves goals for the program and then we go after them.

Out of conference (OOC) games are always an integral part of making it to the National Tournament. What do you look for in OOC opponents when scheduling?

For us it’s probably different then for most teams because our out of conference games come in Feb or early March when we haven’t set foot outside yet and the teams we are playing are already half way through their games schedule.  We look for top 25 contenders and then programs that are up and coming.  Usually we try and play at least 2 teams down south but don’t schedule Top 10 teams.  If we could get teams to travel to Boston we would absolutely play the best schools in the country.

When recruiting, what do you tell potential recruits about your program and university?

I tell them about how much I respect and admire Stonehill as an academic institution.  I had my best 4 years going to Stonehill and I grew drastically both socially and academically.  The school believes in your development as a person and offer so many amazing opportunities to do that.  In addition to that you also get to play on a top tier lacrosse team who competes for a PCLL title and trip to the national tournament every year.  They will grow as lacrosse players here if they commit and buy in.   They will also play their home games under the lights at one of the nicest stadiums in the northeast.

What do you have to offer?

Our school does an amazing job with academic grants but that’s something they would talk to financial aid/admissions about.  We have an amazing education and an opportunity to play 4 years of lacrosse with a great group of guys who they will most likely stay friends with for the rest of their lives.  You will also be in the best shape of your life at the end of your 4 years here.

Thanks for the interview Coach, good luck this season. To find out more about the Stonehill lax team, head over to their website here.
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If you’re interested in learning more or contributing, please feel free to contact us at info@lacrosseallstars.com.