Gone Campin': 'We Have Not Yet Begun to Fight'
by Nathaniel Badder | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online
| Training Camp Photos
Day One: Pick-Up Hoops with Team USA
Day Two: Team USA Starts Two-A-Days
Day Three: 'We Have Not Yet Begun to Fight'
Intrepid reporter -- and US Lacrosse Director of National Teams -- Nathaniel Badder is embedded with Team USA at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., as it heads into training camp to ready for the MLL All-Star Game and FIL World Championships. Check back to laxmagazine.com this week for continuing coverage.
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TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2010
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| Wednesday's Team USA training camp activity included a trip down memory lane for Matt Striebel (pictured) and players remaining from the 2002 U.S. team that last won world championship gold. |
7:05 a.m.: Even at this pre-coffee hour,
it’s already hot. Darn hot! And it’s also clear
that the campus has come back to life after a restful three-day
holiday. It’s inspiring to think, however, that while these
nice students, professors and administrators were off enjoying a
restful Fourth of July weekend full of cookouts and fireworks, Team
USA was tearing it up on the turf and getting ready to play.
Sweating through these workouts together can only make the team
come closer together.
8:45 a.m.: Like every good Navy man, always
punctual, Bryant University President Ronald Machtley (yes, former
Rhode Island Congressman Ronald Machtley) steps into the locker
room at 8:45 a.m. sharp to welcome the team to campus and wish it
luck on the journey ahead. He reminds us of the famous story of
John Paul Jones’ fight against the overpowering British Army
and his oft-repeated line, “We have not yet begun to
fight.” And he encourages the team to maintain this
never-say-die mentality when lining up against the best the
lacrosse world has to offer. It’s an emotional moment.
Team USA erupts in applause and gives a loud “U-S-A”
before heading out to the day’s first session.
10:52 a.m.: Heading into a man-up vs. man-down,
the following conversation is overheard on the sideline: Coach
Pressler, “Schills, you ready to T it up out
there?” D-middie Chris Schiller, “You’re
dead.” Gotta love the fighting spirit. [Editor’s note:
man-up – man-down looked pretty even out there.]
11:06 a.m.: 96 degrees. Guys gleefully hop into
the ice baths after practice.
1 p.m.: Autograph time. With so many friends and
supporters to thank, Team USA takes some time to scribble their
names across a variety of jerseys, shafts, posters and picture
frames. Assistant coach Joe Alberici (Army) reminds the guys
to take pride in the task. “As a kid, you grow up wanting to
put your name on something,” he says. “And now you have
that chance.” Point taken.
7:15 p.m.: “The United States wins! Team
USA beats Canada 18-15!” In preparation for the evening
practice, Coach Pressler throws in a tape of the 2002 FIL
Championship Game in which a band of young and spirited Americans
took down a talented and savvy team of Canadian veterans.
Stars of yesteryear like Doug Shanahan, Ryan Mollett,and the
Brothers Lowe (Darren and Kevin) -- as well as current mainstays
Matt Striebel, Ryan Boyle, Ryan McClay and Kevin Cassese -- rush
the field in celebration. It’s an epic game of back-and-forth
runs, featuring bright sunshine and relentless rain. Say this about
the Canadians -- they will shoot anywhere, anytime, anyhow.
They must have scored at least three behind-the-back shots, a
couple more no-looks and at least one where I’m almost
certain the guy shot from behind the cage. Pretty impressive stick
skills.
9:34 p.m.: Pizza party. Can you guess how
long it takes 27 hungry guys to take down 14 large pizzas?
