The Zen Master inducted into Del. Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame

A moment of Zen - The Zen Master of Cape girls’ lacrosse, the creator of concentric circles of reinforcing and complementary skills and drills, flowing into a sophisticated system taught simplistically, was honored June 11 with induction into Delaware Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame. One zen reflective moment was that PJ Kesmodel was nominated last year but wasn’t chosen – one wonders what he did in one year of not coaching to warrant induction? (Zen joke book). Wrapped up like a double helix of lacrosse enlightenment running through Cape’s history is PJ’s father Paul Kesmodel who coached Milt Roberts, the father of lacrosse at Cape, in the 1930s at the Severn School. Milt later coached PJ at the Severn School. It’s all interconnected like Cape’s sustainable powerhouse carried forward by disciples and apostles of the Zen Master. You may hear “spread yellow” from the Cape sideline, but never an “Old Yeller.” In 10 years on the sidelines, I never heard a single coach yell at a player. That is part of the Cape secret – execute the game plan, slough off the wobbles, self-confidence wrapped around confidence in teammates.

Lifetime achievement award - Dave Robinson was presented with the DIAA Lifetime Achievement Award June 14 at the board of directors meeting. Dave was a member of DSSAA Board of Directors from 1989-96. He was an active member of the state tournament football committee from 1992-2017. Dave’s career was primarily as a principal and the superintendent at Caesar Rodney. He was also an interim superintendent at Cape for two years. Amazingly enough, he was the starting defensive tackle for the victorious Gold squad in the 1961 Blue-Gold All-Star game. And yes, he still has his game jersey. A Cape contingent that includes Bill Collick, Brian Donahue, Herky Billings, Bob Cilento and myself attended the ceremony. Caesar Rodney Superintendent Kevin Fitzgerald said the honor would not be complete without Dave’s Cape family in attendance. 

Pat Woods - At the end of his interview for the position of Cape head coach of girls’ basketball, the former point guard at both Cape and Wesley College was asked, “Is there anything you would like to add to further enhance or focus your profile?” Pat sat back and said with confidence, “Well, I have my own basketball court that used to belong to the New York Nets.” OK, actually that did not happen, but the executive sports director of The Factory in Nassau was named head coach of girls’ basketball. Pat was the boys’ JV basketball coach at Cape from 2011-15 and has been The Factory sports executive director since 2014. The Factory has a youth program of more than 300 participants, which includes six travel teams. Woods replaces Lauren Carra, who resigned after three seasons.

Bark in the Park - Every time Baseball Tonight shows a home run being hit into a sea of empty seats, a message is sent to all boneheaded viewers, “Baseball doesn’t need us to show up to make money.” It has become a television and mobile app game, and with the legalization and liberalization of gambling rules, you can use the money you saved on gas and parking to wager on games. Perhaps more promotions is the answer, or just make every game Bark in the Park and Bobblehead Night.

College World Series - The college baseball playoffs up through the super regionals have been great television events, and the broadcast teams are mostly better than those doing Major League Baseball. It makes you wonder if the better college programs are taking the top talent out of the minor league system. Would you rather play for North Carolina or the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs? Division I programs center around a grueling fall ball practice schedule – lots of weight room and intersquad play – and a spring 60-game season, excluding postseason. There is no way to load up on classes to graduate in three years just in case you get drafted. And chances are if you’re not good enough to get drafted, you’re not having much of a career anyway. And that’s why Major League Baseball has the lowest percentage of college graduates of any professional sport.

Snippets - If you’re interested in Sussex County Little League’s baseball and softball postseason schedule, go to http://dedistrict3.org. Tournament play for 8-10 as well as major, junior and senior league all-stars begins the first week of July. And as always, travel players on all-star teams depend on the policies of the individual leagues. Go on now, git!