COACH ARTIE SPRUILL: BUILDING ST. FRANCES GIRLS LAX FROM GROUND BALLS UP

by Artie Spruill
St. Francis
girls lacrosse coach


This year was a great year for me as a coach, and for the players as well, at St. Frances. The girls grew as a team, as I grew as a coach. As a coach, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was not sure if the girls would like me, let alone even respect me. My main concern was whether or not they would enjoy the game of lacrosse.

I had no fear concerning whether or not they would be good. I knew they would be amazing. But would they fall in love with the sport?

Growing up, I played lacrosse starting at age 5. I didn't love the sport, but I grew to like it, basically because I was good at it. I excelled quickly at it.

As time passed, I continued to play. But it was not until I hit my freshmen year of high school, at Loch Raven in the Towson area of Baltimore County, that I realized this sport could bring me some big benefits as well.

And my love for the sport grew.

During my years in high school, I finally decided lacrosse would be my sport of choice. I was a three sport athlete all the way through high school, excelling in all three sports.

Going through my college recruitment stage, I finally decided I would attend Howard University. Howard's was the only college program in the nation which field an all-African American team at the Division I level.

Of course, many thought I was crazy for turning down prestigious Division I universities. But I wanted to make a difference, athletically, and in a different way.

Unfortunately, I found myself leaving Howard after one year and moving on to Towson University to play lacrosse. I ended my college lacrosse years on a high note.

All of my past experiences factored into my decision to coach at St. Frances. The team members bonded with one another while, at the same time, learning a new sport and taking on new experiences.

Granted, we did not have the best conditions for your average high school team. We played all of our games on the road due to limited practice space. But everyday, my team came out ready to learn. None of the girls had ever played lacrosse before, they were all willing to learn what, to them, was a new and exciting sport.

Every day was a challenge, teaching the rules of the game and having the players grasp the basics of the sport; catching, throwing and going after ground balls.

But everyday was also a day for us to improve as players. I learned so much as a coach. This was the best opportunity for me to start my career. I was placed in a diverse situation and still, I feel that we came out on top. I was able to relate to each one of my players, and to find their strengths and their weakness.

Most importantly, each player gained respect from me, respect from their teammates and respect for themselves.

St. Frances was a club team this year, so we played many different teams from a variety of different divisions over an independent schedule. Our big win was over Randallstown. We were able to win by a 6-0 shutout. That victory gave the girls a confidence boost that would set the tone for the rest of the season. That proved to them that it was possible to win. It proved to them that they could beat a team.

Some of  our losses showed that we needed to work hard and that improvement was needed. I thought of our losses as reality checks. The losses shed light on the girls' weaknesses and prepared them for their next day's practice. The losses taught them that they needed to be prepared to work hard, and to improve on the mistakes.

Of course, we would have the whining, the doubt, and second guessing among players concerning whether or not this was the sport for them. But they knew, collectively, that we were a team, and that if one falls, we all fall.

Each day, players would pick themselves up, encourage each other, and get through the games and practices knowing they were doing something special. No one said it would be easy, but the reward at the end would be advantageous.

A common theme was a concern about whether or not "The Coach would be mad." I expressed to the girls that I could never be mad if they worked their hardest and did their best. If players gave their all, then that was all that I could ask for.

This season was about getting 12 girls on the field and playing lacrosse. It was not about wins or losses. It was not about who scored the most goals. It was about us being able to do the basics to compete. The season was about us being able to walk out on the field and say " Hey, I know how to play lacrosse, I know the rules and I know I can work hard". And I think we accomplished that.

The girls' excitement for the game was overwhelming. Every girl truly gained a love for the sport of lacrosse. That means I did my job. I could not have coached a better group of girls. I loved every minute of every day.

Of course we have things we need to work on for next season. Our main goals are getting a field to play on and getting more girls to come out and play. But most importantly, I was able to come to a city school and teach 12 girls a sport they have never played, and in some cases, never heard of.
 
I was able to get them to commit to the sport and excel at the sport.

Many would see these as small things, but in reality, I believe that  these are the steps and concepts required toward creating a strong, successful program.

Team Members

2008 Roster for St. Francis Academy