LAX team learns from college mentors

~ Submitted by the ELHS varsity Lacrosse team.

EAST LONGMEADOW East Longmeadow High School boys lacrosse has just finished its fourth season as a varsity team.

Under the direction of coaches Glenn Maller and Heather Witalisz, the Spartans made it to the first round of the Western Mass. playoffs for the second year in a row. The fledgling program produced several new records for the school including most wins in a season, and its first shutout.

The Spartans also had six players selected by opposing coaches to the "all-league" team, as well as two "All Western Mass." selections. While this fast- growing program is constantly gaining momentum, Maller's philosophy of producing responsible, well-rounded young men adds a unique dimension to playing lacrosse in western Massachusetts.

For the third consecutive year, Maller took his team on what is destined to become the annual Spartan spring trip. Thanks to fund-raising efforts by the entire team and their parents, with the direction of Christine Melione and Ann Dalton from the booster club, the team worked hard throughout the off-season at various events to raise capital in order to underwrite a significant portion of the proposed trip.

Last season, the Spartans traveled to Washington, D.C. for a tour of our nation's capital and a meeting with Congressman Richard Neal, followed by a scrimmage against nationally ranked St. Albans (which was coached by one of Maller's former players).

The trip concluded with a tour of one of the nation's premier college institutions, Princeton University and a key match-up of Princeton University vs. Syracuse University lacrosse game.

These teams have combined for 11 national championships since 1990. The trip was so successful, that Maller and Witalisz decided to return to the Maryland area during April vacation of the '04-'05 season.

Immediately after this year's spring pep rally, the boys lacrosse team boarded a Peter Pan coach and headed south for Baltimore. Unfortunately, tremendous traffic and a variety of road obstacles caused major delays and the team missed the scheduled John Hopkins (2005 NCAA Division I National Champions) vs. Maryland game. Thanks to parent Mike Sacenti, the group enjoyed top-shelf hotel accommodations at the Marriott on the University of Maryland campus. The East Longmeadow players had access to all of the facilities on campus throughout their stay and gained a better appreciation of what large campus life is about.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the trip to the mid-Atlantic region was the Division I college game between two of the country's oldest rivals; Navy vs. Army, with both teams at the time ranked among the nation's top 10 lacrosse teams. Some of the high school players had attended an Army-Navy game a few years earlier as members of the youth program when current University of Massachusetts assistant coach Jason Miller hosted the visiting Jr. Spartans from grades four to eight. Not coincidentally, Maller had visited the Naval Academy with his Long Island high school team and his coach had arranged for an opportunity for the team to stay overnight at the academy. He still feels that it was a life-changing and eye-opening trip that give him a better appreciation for self-motivation and discipline.

Looking to provide a similar experience for his charges from ELHS, Maller had something very special planned for his players and managers. Since NCAA rules now prohibit overnight college accommodations of high schools, a private tour of the United States Naval Academy was arranged thanks to East Longmeadow High School graduate Ashley Pelzek.

Midshipman 2nd Class Pelzek met the Spartans at the security gate of the academy and showed the team around campus providing them with an insider's look at the daily life of a midshipman. Pelzek, who was a standout basketball star for the ELHS girls team and a McDonald's High School All-American, was just coming off her junior season at Annapolis.

She explained to the visiting EL players the effort it takes to be accepted to the Naval Academy and level of commitment that is required to stay current with her studies. Pelzek also explained that as an athlete, the commitment to excellence takes each individual to even further levels with 5 a.m. practices and studies that cannot slack, regardless of additional commitments such as athletics.

A variety of sports such as spring football, track and baseball were underway as the wind blew hard off the Chesapeake. When Pelzek finished the campus tour, the lacrosse team thanked her, then headed a few blocks towards the stadium for the big game.

Navy Coach Richie Meade knew that EL coaches Maller and Witalisz's team were attending the game. Tickets for excellent seats were available for everyone. A record Navy vs. Army crowd was on hand to witness the 12-9 Naval Academy victory.

The Spartans spent the remainder of the day in downtown Annapolis shopping, touring and having dinner with their teammates. On the way back to New England, Maller tapped into his long list of lacrosse friends and stopped at the College of New Jersey (home of the 2005 NCAA Division III Women's National Champions) to have a practice on the artificial turf. The team returned to East Longmeadow in time for a restful weekend and ready to resume the season. Maller and Witalisz reported that they were proud of the team and that they represented the town, their families and their school with pride.

"It's very easy and a lot less work to stay at home and have a few practices over April vacation ... but to take these young people to places like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis, and Princeton...and then visit some of the nation's finest academic institutions, are memory-making experiences," Maller said. "They bond with their teammates and it shows that there is much more to life than lacrosse. The game can take you many places ... sure, we're very interested in winning games, but this program is all about the big picture."