24 min
Interview w/ Brandon Horoba, Q&A w/ Brighton Senior Haley Taylor, Westminster Wins RMAC Tourney Utah Lacrosse Report
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- Sports
Good morning lacrosse fans. I really hate to start a newsletter off this way, but there was an incident at a game last week that left me sleepless. Please know that racism has no part in our society, let alone the lacrosse community. I’ve been to almost 30 games this year from Weber to Timpanogos and everywhere in between. Usually driving home I think about the game, the fans, the officials, the coaches, the players, and after most games, I think to myself, ‘we have to be better.' I say ‘we’ because despite being on different teams and having different jerseys, we are all part of the lacrosse community, which, despite being the largest it’s ever been, is still small. When our sport is shown favorably, it’s favorable for all of us. When it’s shown negatively, it’s a notch against all of us. So let me take a moment to address some things I’ve seen:
* Everyone - It’s not okay to use racist terms on the lacrosse field - ever. I’m not going to tell you how to live your personal life, but it has no place in the lacrosse community. Do better.
* Coaches - It’s not okay to taunt or mock a player on the opposing team - ever. It’s also not okay to degrade the people working the table or talking to opposing fans while coaching. Also, please fill out the officials' feedback form so we can help improve that aspect of the game too. Do better.
* Assistant Coaches - Stop yelling at the refs. You ask your players to abide by the rules so you should too. Do better.
* Officials - Let’s be honest, some refs are there to collect a check and go home who have no interest in helping the game. This is bad for our sport. If this is you, please stop. Also, please take control of games that are getting out of hand. It’s not hard to see it. Do better.
* Fans - If you’re an adult yelling at an opposing player (14-18 year old) then you need to stop. Do better.
With all that said, I’ve been to games this year where the fans have been great, the coaches have coached well and the officials have been excellent but unfortunately, it’s rare. We need to be better at trying to make this scenario more common and it takes all of us, not just one team or one ref or one coach.
I feel the season as a whole has been a success. It hasn’t been without hiccups or controversy, but overall, Year 1 of sanctioning has been what I thought it would. It’s a bittersweet time of year. The regular season is ending but playoffs are on the horizon.
As a heads up, the playoff brackets will be revealed on Wednesday morning. I think they will be released on the UHSAA Twitter account but also on MaxPreps. Also, I try to be respectful to your inbox but I’m likely going to send 2-3 newsletters per week as I do my best to cover the playoffs.
Interview w/ Alta Head Coach Brandon Horoba
Alta Head Coach Brandon Horoba
My podcast guest this week is Alta Head Coach Brandon Horoba. Horoba starting coaching at Alta in 2002 then went to Brighton from 2009-2016. While with Brighton, he won 3 state championships as a head coach and one as an assistant coach. After Brighton, Horoba coached at UVU for one season then went back to Alta in 2018. Horoba has also been part of a handful of club programs as well. In this episode, we talk about each one of his coaching stops, breaking away with the UHSLL, club lacrosse and more. You can listen to the latest podcast above or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a rating!
Look, if you haven't been to Vessel Kitchen yet, that’s okay. However, you should make a goal to do it soon, it’s great food by great people. It has locations in Midvale, Sandy, 9th + 9th and Kimball Junction.
Week 9 Coaches Polls
No. 1 Corner Canyon - The Chargers beat Skyridge, 21-2, on Tuesday then sent No. 6 American Fork home with a 20-4 loss on Friday. Corner Canyon hosts No. 10 Lone Peak on Tuesday in the finale for both teams.
No. 2 Olympus - The Titans beat Pleasant Grove, 13-7, on Wednesday and won R
Good morning lacrosse fans. I really hate to start a newsletter off this way, but there was an incident at a game last week that left me sleepless. Please know that racism has no part in our society, let alone the lacrosse community. I’ve been to almost 30 games this year from Weber to Timpanogos and everywhere in between. Usually driving home I think about the game, the fans, the officials, the coaches, the players, and after most games, I think to myself, ‘we have to be better.' I say ‘we’ because despite being on different teams and having different jerseys, we are all part of the lacrosse community, which, despite being the largest it’s ever been, is still small. When our sport is shown favorably, it’s favorable for all of us. When it’s shown negatively, it’s a notch against all of us. So let me take a moment to address some things I’ve seen:
* Everyone - It’s not okay to use racist terms on the lacrosse field - ever. I’m not going to tell you how to live your personal life, but it has no place in the lacrosse community. Do better.
* Coaches - It’s not okay to taunt or mock a player on the opposing team - ever. It’s also not okay to degrade the people working the table or talking to opposing fans while coaching. Also, please fill out the officials' feedback form so we can help improve that aspect of the game too. Do better.
* Assistant Coaches - Stop yelling at the refs. You ask your players to abide by the rules so you should too. Do better.
* Officials - Let’s be honest, some refs are there to collect a check and go home who have no interest in helping the game. This is bad for our sport. If this is you, please stop. Also, please take control of games that are getting out of hand. It’s not hard to see it. Do better.
* Fans - If you’re an adult yelling at an opposing player (14-18 year old) then you need to stop. Do better.
With all that said, I’ve been to games this year where the fans have been great, the coaches have coached well and the officials have been excellent but unfortunately, it’s rare. We need to be better at trying to make this scenario more common and it takes all of us, not just one team or one ref or one coach.
I feel the season as a whole has been a success. It hasn’t been without hiccups or controversy, but overall, Year 1 of sanctioning has been what I thought it would. It’s a bittersweet time of year. The regular season is ending but playoffs are on the horizon.
As a heads up, the playoff brackets will be revealed on Wednesday morning. I think they will be released on the UHSAA Twitter account but also on MaxPreps. Also, I try to be respectful to your inbox but I’m likely going to send 2-3 newsletters per week as I do my best to cover the playoffs.
Interview w/ Alta Head Coach Brandon Horoba
Alta Head Coach Brandon Horoba
My podcast guest this week is Alta Head Coach Brandon Horoba. Horoba starting coaching at Alta in 2002 then went to Brighton from 2009-2016. While with Brighton, he won 3 state championships as a head coach and one as an assistant coach. After Brighton, Horoba coached at UVU for one season then went back to Alta in 2018. Horoba has also been part of a handful of club programs as well. In this episode, we talk about each one of his coaching stops, breaking away with the UHSLL, club lacrosse and more. You can listen to the latest podcast above or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a rating!
Look, if you haven't been to Vessel Kitchen yet, that’s okay. However, you should make a goal to do it soon, it’s great food by great people. It has locations in Midvale, Sandy, 9th + 9th and Kimball Junction.
Week 9 Coaches Polls
No. 1 Corner Canyon - The Chargers beat Skyridge, 21-2, on Tuesday then sent No. 6 American Fork home with a 20-4 loss on Friday. Corner Canyon hosts No. 10 Lone Peak on Tuesday in the finale for both teams.
No. 2 Olympus - The Titans beat Pleasant Grove, 13-7, on Wednesday and won R
24 min