CACLAX

Today on the Podcast, we’re joined by John Raba – Head Coach of Wesleyan Men’s Lacrosse. John and David discuss the recent challenges and highlights of Wesleyan’s lacrosse season, including game outcomes, the introduction of replay technology, and the dynamics of referee relationships. They delve into the NESCAC and NPI rankings, reflecting on the competitive nature of the conference. John also discusses the dynamics of coaching his son at Wesleyan and the importance of communication in coaching relationships. He emphasizes the balance between sports and academics, player development, and team dynamics, while also addressing defensive strategies and adaptability. We hope you enjoy!

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Coach Casey D'Annolfo. He discusses the dynamics of his lacrosse team at Tufts, reflecting on recent games, coaching philosophy, and the importance of honesty and adaptability in building a successful program. He shares insights on team culture, the lessons learned from adversity, and the significance of confidence and risk-taking in coaching. The discussion also touches on the pace of play, recruiting strategies, and personal reflections on his career goals, culminating in a light-hearted debate about the competitiveness of Tufts against Division I teams.

Today on the podcast, we're joined by Will Hopkins, the Associate Director of the Championships Division of the NCAA. Will helped shed light on an incredibly important rule development for Men's NESCAC Lacrosse - The new selection process for the D3 National Championship. Will was also an accomplished player himself, playing for Delaware teams in the late 90s. We hope you learn a lot and enjoy this episode of the CACLAX Podcast.

Today on the podcast is our first conversation with a player: Owen Gaydos. Owen is a senior at Amherst College who recently walked onto the team. The moment was captured and shared on Instagram, and we knew we had to hear the story behind the exciting moment. In this episode, Owen shares his journey as a walk-on athlete, discussing the challenges and triumphs of balancing sports and academics. He reflects on his passion for lacrosse, the influence of his family, and the importance of energy and presence on the sidelines.

Today on the podcast, we're joined by Coach Dave Campbell - a Middlebury alum, and now the head coach of the Panthers. He discusses the upcoming lacrosse season, focusing on team dynamics, recruitment strategies, and the competitive landscape of the NESCAC. He reflects on the strengths of his returning players, the challenges of recruiting in a highly competitive environment, and the importance of building a strong team culture. The conversation also touches on the admissions process at Middlebury and the evolution of recruiting in lacrosse, highlighting the unique advantages of different NESCAC schools. Coach Campbell shares his personal journey and legacy at Middlebury, emphasizing the connections and experiences that have shaped his coaching philosophy.

Because of its unique academic calendar, Bates kicks off its season 11 days before its NESCAC rivals when the Bobcats travel down to F&M on February 19. Coach Annino shares his personal journey from a cubicle-dweller in a finance job to pursuing his passion for lacrosse coaching. Annino is a proven winner who was the 2019 D3 Coach of the Year and played in the national championship game as a senior pole at Amherst. Bates has the only indoor box facility in the CAC and Coach Annino is using that to his advantage. His recruiting and coaching are already having an impact at Bates and we expect to see some close losses in 2024 turn into close wins this spring.

Bill Mason has engineered one of most impressive turnarounds in NESCAC history. He inherited a team that had just gone 2-8 in the CAC and promptly posted a 9-1 mark in 2022. Coach Mason shares some of his tactics (and star players) that continued his hot hand with an 8-2 league record and NCAA semifinal appear in 2024. Three of those star players, however, are now playing a 5th year at Rutgers, Maryland and Michigan. Coach Mason shares the names of some Bowdoin players who are likely to fill that void in 2025. We also get into navigating the sometimes tricky waters of NESCAC recruiting and practice restrictions.

A huge thank you to Coach Jim Nagle for agreeing to be our very first podcast guest. In this conversation, he discusses the strengths of Conn College lacrosse and how he is rebuilding the program into a playoff contender. Coach Nagle also explains how the new NCAA playoff selection format favors the NESCAC. That discussion begins at the 16:00 mark. Coach Nagle shares insights on Conn College's advantages in recruiting and the strong support from alumni, emphasizing the program's commitment to building a competitive team culture. As a former Division 1 head coach at Colgate, he also sheds some light on the differences between the teams and athletes at both levels.

Welcome to the show. Our goal is to provide the best coverage in history for the best D3 conference in the country. This quick preview podcast will give you a better sense of what we are doing. Enjoy!