I am so proud of Maggie. I have coached her now for several years. She is a joy to coach. She is a good teammate, works really hard, and has a great attitude. It is easy for me as a coach to talk with her about the game, and she understands the game at a high level. I am happy that she will be playing for a coach with such experience as Coach Tracy. Mags is very excited and Marcia and I are very proud and excited to watch her and support her and her team.
Soon, I will be hanging up the whistle for good. Last spring, I coached my last high school season; ended with a championship which was way cool. This is my last year of club. I have been wrapping my club coaching experience with Maggie’s 2026 team, and President’s Cup is one of our last big tournaments. It is in Bradenton, FL. While Maggie is hanging with her friends, I took a “jog” to the beach to catch the sunset.
Bradenton BeachGulf of America
Maggie played her butt off in the tournament. It was the first tournament that I played her at her natural position, defense. And she just rocked it. She caused several turnovers, had a number of clears, and scored two goals. Our team did really well. And I am especially proud of Maggie for crushing it, as she is narrowing down her college opportunities, and there are a number of coaches out here watching her, and a few options already on the table.
Mags with her friends, Issy and LilaSuch a special opportunity to coach my daughter
Bradenton is beautiful. We have had a few opportunities to come here, as a family, and for lacrosse tournaments. View from the hotel was really nice
We went out to dinner with her teammates one night and were seated right out on the beach front during sunset. The view was spectacular. Mags sat with her teammates, and me with the team parents.
Can’t beat this atmosphereSunset from the table at Beach House
Maggie and I stayed an extra day. We were initially going to go to a camp or two on the extra day, but decided to instead relax and enjoy Florida. We had a great relaxing day together, father and daughter. And went to the same restaurant, Beach House, again the following night.
Sunset selfie
Reflecting back, I have coached now as long as I can remember. For a long time, it has been my calling. My duty. And has been joyous. Coaching Liz, Eden, Noah, Maggie, Luke and Jack. It has been a special time this past year with Maggie, as she is currently the only one who is playing, and she has gotten my undivided attention. None of the others got this from me, except in spurts.
As I turn the page on my life, I will miss all of these special moments. But I am planning grand adventures and great experiences for the next stage of my life. I am extremely happy and am lucky to have the opportunity to stop focusing on other people’s kids, other people’s expectations, other people’s hopes and dreams, and other people’s criticisms (and much worse). I have the opportunity to focus all of my time, all of my energy on being a provider, on being a supporter, and working on my legacy. I am so grateful that my legacy is not in sports. Lacrosse is a game, meant to be played and enjoyed. And I have played. And I have enjoyed.
Lila is very young, and I may return to coaching in some form in the future, but for this next stage, I am happy, and my coaching days are fulfilled.
Up before the dawn, Maggie and I drove down to the Naval Academy. Such a peaceful morning and a beautiful sunrise. I popped up the TLC tent to snap a pic for Mike.
I have always enjoyed tournaments. The preparation. The competition. The calm before. I have always like carrying the tents, getting there early, setting up a tailgate. Scouting a good location so the team can gather. Getting some quiet time with one of my kids. Getting to talk with them about their preparation, their team, their teammates, how they are feeling.
This morning, we picked up Mike from a parking lot near the Academy. It was pitch black when we arrived at his truck. We had some coffee and a good morning chat while we sat by the field and waited for others to arrive. He is a good man. I am glad I brought the Redshirts over into his organization. It has helped me end my club experience without all of the pressure of running a club. And I am grateful for that opportunity.
It was good for him to get to chat with Maggie about recruiting and about competition and about her. It is great always to support your own child and tell them how much you believe in them. But when another authority figure in their lives also expresses that they believe in them, and it is authentic, it certainly enforces their self-esteem.
On Saturday, Jack and Luke played their last game of the season. It was a joy to coach them all spring. Our team was not great. We went 3-7. We had several guys on the team who had never played lacrosse before.
We practiced every Tuesday and Thursday night at Spring Grove on the grass field. We practiced late, 7:30-9:00. It was bitter cold at the beginning of the season and seemed to rain all spring. But we did our soft hands. And we went to practice. And we got better and did it all together.
Jack was the smallest guy on the team. And Luke was the biggest. Neither one was afraid at all. Jack won more ground balls than most guys on the team. And Luke checked everyone who came near the crease. Jack played mainly attack while Luke played mainly defense. Each of them earned a game ball at some point during the season. Jack earned one the last game.
At the last game, we started the game man down. Some boys late and a lot didn’t post. Jack had to run midfield the whole game. He never complained and he fought for every ground ball. He hustled and had a great attitude and got two assists in the game.
Jack #5 in the forefront; Luke #16 on the right
They both had fun and want to play again this summer and next year. They are talking about playing RoughRiders like their older brother.
I spent Memorial Day Weekend with Noah in CT. He had a lacrosse tournament there. Our planning was last minute, and turned out to be a great weekend. The sun smiled on me.
My truck did not have A/C and needed some other service. So I rented a cheap vehicle from Budget. When I went to pick it up in the morning, they asked if I wanted a Mustang. No extra charge. Nice. Never drove one of these before.
I messaged with Bob last minute and he and KC invited us to stay with them for the weekend in CT. They have had their house for nearly 5 years, but I had never visited.
Noah and I stayed with Bob and KC and Brody and had a great weekend. It was a whirlwind, but it was absolutely lovely. I am happy for Bobby. He bought a property with a lot of land. Tranquil. Running water right outside their kitchen. A river across the street. A huge pond a few hundred yards through the woods from their house. He loves the history of his house. And he has filled it with all of his collected antiques.
It was so cool for me and Noah to have extended time getting to know Brody. And even getting him to laugh at times.
We were about an hour from Noah’s tournament, and spent most of Sunday and Monday morning at the field. Noah got to play behind the cage for the first time in so long. And I thought he did great. I took some video to show Marcia and clipped a bunch into a highlight reel.
On Monday, Memorial Day, Noah and I were slated to go home after his tournament. But a friend gifted me and Noah seats in Corrigan Sports’ suite. And an old friend from Cornell and I connected on Facebook. So, I decided to go to the NCAA championship game. My two old teams were playing against each other – Cornell Big Red vs Maryland Terps.
We tailgated with Cornell. I got to catch up with 3 guys from my old team who are all doing very well for themselves. In the suite, we got to hang out with Tillman and Gait. It was nice to talk with Gary and introduce Noah to him.
The game was great. Terps came away with a 9-7 victory.
I came away with a weekend of memories spent with Noah.
Time is precious. It is the most precious commodity on Earth. And I got so many hours with my son. And loved every minute of it.
Noah had a lax game last night. His grandparents came out to watch him play. Before his stroke, Noah’s grandfather, Pop Pop, coached him in lacrosse for several years. And since his stroke three years ago, it has been rare that he has been out to watch any of the kids play sports, where he was super engaged with them all before. Last night, he was very excited to watch Noah play, and was thrilled afterwards at how well the team did and how well Noah did. Noah scored two goals.
As always, baby sis was out smiling and watching her big bro play lacrosse. It was cold, but Lila bundled up and watched the whole game with mom.
Luke had never heard of Bob’s Big Boys. But I saw this and made him take the pic.
Luke was the lucky sibling that got to go with me on a quick trip to Louisville for Liz’s lacrosse banquet in Sep 2021. It was a grueling 18 hours behind the wheel in just over 48 hours. But it was so worth it to spend time with Luke, and to get to see Liz.
We made the most of limited time. We left at 4AM on Friday. When we arrived late Friday afternoon, maybe 2PM, Luke wanted to work out and then get in the pool. So we lifted some weights, did some cardio, and took a quick dip. Liz was at a practice and then mandatory study hall before we could pick her up.
We got her! Picked her up at her house and took her out to dinner. We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory. It is in downtown Louisville. Had a huge meal. Liz ate it all up, lots of carbs, and she probably could have kept eating. She was smiling and talking all night. We loved her company. The next day, we knew we wouldn’t get to see her much because the team had three lacrosse games, so we relished every second of our time together.
Next morning, Luke and I went out for a special breakfast at Highland Morning. Luke got the leaning tower of waffles. And yes, we did some Pokemon GO. Really, I was more into it than Luke. But we both loved the meal before heading to the fields.
We watched Liz’s games. She is still injured from her ACL surgery. But we watched and cheered on her team. And then we needed to go get some clothes for the banquet. Oh no, we did not pack appropriately!
Luke cleaned up nice! Great new shirt. L’s up for Luke as we checked out the Louisville stadium. The banquet was in the stadium in one of the banquet rooms off the main level. Very cool to see how far the lax program went last year. And great to see Liz and some of her teammates and coaches. Luke and I were watching the clock, because we needed to leave at a reasonable hour to get home.
We were sad to leave Liz. Said goodbye at 9:30PM Sat night and hit the road. We drove through the night. Luke asleep in the back seat. Me driving. Had to stop at a rest stop to take a quick nap somewhere in WV. But made it home just before 6AM. I had lacrosse practices all day, so we made it in time to saw some Zs at home before heading out for lax.
On June 19, Catonsville High School played in the MPSSAA 4S State Championship vs Severna Park. The game was an evening game in the rain at Loyola University. The crowd was great. Tons of folks from Catonsville came out to support the team. All of the Kennedys did, even Liz, first time out only a few days after her ACL surgery. Pop Pop and Grammy came also to watch Noah.
The team got off to a rough start. Their top players were causing turnovers, and Severna Park was well poised for the moment. They got off to a huge lead and never looked back.
Noah was on extra man offense and also saw time in the 3rd quarter when they moved one of their attackers up to midfield. Actually, with this move was the first breath of life in their offense and they scored their first goal.
Later, on EMO, Noah got an assist for the team’s second goal.
Noah gets an assist in the State Championship
They lost 11-2.
The atmosphere was really amazing. At this point, I have been to college and professional sporting events, and I have seen Liz play in an ACC lacrosse tournament. But this was the most thrilling game for me to watch.
I wish the outcome were different and they had played better. But, I am so happy that Noah did this. Not only that, as a freshman, he was really good.
This marked the end of his first varsity season. He netted 33 goals and 8 assists as a freshman.
On April 28, we traveled to Chapel Hill, NC to watch Liz in her first ACC Tournament. Jack, Maggie and Dad made the trek. There and back again in one day. Left REALLY early in the morning, maybe 3:00 or 4:00. Made it into Bellwood, VA, just south of Richmond, where we stopped at Waffle House!
Early morning leg of the trip. Sleepy heads in the back of the truckHey enough pictures dad, it’s a parking lotThumbs up for checking out a new spot – Waffle HouseWakey wakey, time for breaky
We made it into Chapel Hill. We “explored” to find a parking spot and get to the fields. Bought some cool ACC hats. And settled in to cheer for the Cards. Watch Liz in warmups. And then watched her play against UNC. UNC was ranked the number 1 team in the country, and Liz looked good on the field against them. Her brother and sister were so into the game and definitely excited and cheering for her when Liz took the field.
Liz’s team lost to the #1 team in the country. But that mattered not to us. Our highlight came after. We hustled to the bus to catch some time with Liz. And then found out we could meet up at the team hotel. What a treat! We had taken our sticks, so we got them out of the truck and played some catch with Liz at the hotel. This was after a full season of lacrosse for Jack since Liz had seen him last, so she was very impressed with how well he could throw and catch.
We topped it all off with a stop at the Yogurt Pump, YOPO, before piling back in the truck and driving nearly 6 hours home. 12 hours behind the wheel to see my girl, and for her to get to see Maggie and Jack. Worth every second.
Six With Sticks 