More Than A Club morethanaclub

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

Here are some notes to help you enjoy this new episode! 


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 

Here are some notes to help you enjoy this new episode!
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

Here are some notes to help you enjoy this new episode!
Patrick walks listeners through his lacrosse journey as a homegrown Philly native. He touches on the importance of playing multiple sports, communicating on the field, being a part of teams with strong cultures, and overcoming setbacks on the way to being one of the best defensive midfielders in the PLL.
Youth Sports Hot Topics6:20: For Parents8:08: For Coaches13:50: For Players
Questions & Answers17:45: Patrick’s lacrosse story starts in Flourtown, Pa19:50: Mentors – Players Patrick looked up to as a young athlete21:05: La Salle Lacrosse experience memories. Dominate teams and the birth of D Midfield24:22: Being Coached by your dad – a fine line for both. Pretty special.25:45: The Recruiting Process to Dartmouth. An excellent fit for both28:45: Lacrosse transitions points. Getting on the field at Dartmouth.30:25: Freak accident, setback, injury, and resilience.32:05: An extra year at Duke, Coach D, and the challenges of ACC lacrosse.35:40: The long journey and commitment to making a career last in the MLL and the PLL.39:45: The team identity of the PLL Chaos. Aggressive? Box? A behind-the-scenes look.42:55: USA Sixes. A shot at the unexpected! 46:33: Rapid Fire NXT Homework

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

Introduction: Jeremy Butt, otherwise known as JB, takes us through the importance of his world– the universe of strength, condition, food, sleep, hydration, and much more. From “embracingthe suck” to team fitness center competitions and more JB explains how strength, conditioning,and wellness matter to today’s high-level teams and players.
Youth Sports Hot Topics1:15: Introducing JB.2 Stories for Parents, Coaches, and Players2:30: Story 1: “Coach, because it’s not that, embracing the suck. We play too much”!8:36: Story 2: “Last Man Standing”: Finding disciplined and mentally tough players through ateam weight room “don’t quit” challenge.
Questions & Answers14:40: From Canada to the USA, to Wyndmoor, PA. A journey of kinesiology.18:10: Strength and Conditioning (S & C). What does that even mean?19:45: S & C is different for different sports, right? Not really.21:18: What sport works hardest in the weight room?22:45: (S & C) and Nutrition.
24:10: (S & C) and Recovery (sleep).
25:45: (S & C)and RSI (overuse).
27:30: Finding the “Goldilocks Zone.”29:10: Free Play. The death of “Sandlot” and “Shinny”: The lost art of creativity and problem-solving.33:30: How does a club lacrosse coach focus in S&C?35:10: S&C: Elementary, Middle School, & High School versions.37:35: Technique matters! So do errors.38:38: There is a mentality to the weight room! Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t workhard. “Embracing the suck.”41:35: Rock and Roll: The music of the weight room! Playlists go old school.43:00: Lacrosse dad, I wonder, “Do the kids play too much”?46:32: S&C Education. How does someone enter this field?50:00: Rapid Fire NXT Homework