Mercyhurst Lacrosse Experiencing Change This Fall

As the calendar pages turn, leaves change colors, and the air turns crisp in Erie, PA, the fall weather is upon us here at Mercyhurst University. "Fall Ball" is upon the Mercyhurst Lacrosse team as we prepare for our upcoming season in the spring and reflect on the experiences we developed last season. Last season, we had a very successful season, making it to every collegiate athlete's dream...The National Championship. Unfortunately, after our appearance in the National Championship, our team was saddened by the news that our head and assistant coaches had taken new coaching opportunities. 

As the fall came around, we were excited to hear that the school had hired Trey Keeley as our new head coach. Coach Keeley has a solid lacrosse background, allowing for the development of our program and individuals to be in good hands. My teammates and I were very excited about hiring Coach Keeley because it opened up many new opportunities for us on and off the field. The new opportunities provided a sense of intensity within the team. 

As a student-athlete this fall, I have had to understand the importance of time management. A typical day includes an 8 a.m.-2 p.m. class with a lunch break around noon. Lunch is an essential part of my day because, as an athlete, I need to fuel my body with proper nutrients to maintain a healthy lifestyle while competing at the collegiate level. After I finish my classes, I have time from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to focus on my academics for the week. After focusing on academics, I have team training from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. This is a time as a team that we can focus on developing our strength on the lacrosse field and build our team bonding through the support and motivation we provide for one another. After motivating one another to improve, we have team practice from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m on Saxon Stadium. Here at Mercyhurst we are very privileged to have very nice athletic facilities that allow for us to compete on. At practice, it is a time that we focus on installing many new plays and sets for the upcoming season in the spring. We compete against one another as a team by drawing on our successes and knowledge from the previous year. Finally, as my night concludes, I finish my homework for the day while preparing for the rest of the week.

Our compact schedule throughout the fall brings the unique challenge of balancing academics. Time management has become a crucial skill, and the school's support is critical. Our professors and academic resources provide the assistance, understanding, and flexibility for us to succeed in the classroom and on the field. Our professors and staff not only provide support for us at the school but also in the stands of our games. They love to see us succeed, which allows us to create great relationships with them. Their endless support means a lot to our team, as well as the impact we have on the Mercyhurst community. 

- Adam