New England Lacrosse Journal‘s Chasing The Goal

BU’s Polley on Starting a Program From Scratch

Boston University gave Coach Ryan Polley a unique challenge: start our lacrosse program from scratch. His results did not disappoint. In our podcast, Coach Polley talks about how he started the program in 2012, continuing to lead the program to new heights and, in the process, mentoring six MSSL draft picks and winning three coach of the year honors.

Maryland Coach John Tillman on His Winning Ways

Legendary Maryland University Coach John Tillman joins the guys via Zoom to talk about his career. He has served there since 2010. Tillman led the team to a win in 2017 in the NCAA National Championship, its first there since 1975. Since taking over the helm, Tillman has led the Terps to eight NCAA Final Fours, six national title games and a 142-40 (.780) overall record.

Neal Anderson, Norwich Lacrosse, On Coaching in a Unique Environment

Neal Anderson, the head coach of Norwich University men’s lacrosse, joins hosts Jack Piatelli and Kyle Devitte to discuss leading a team in the Vermont school’s military environment. Anderson is a three-time Great Northeast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. The Cadets have had an impressive record under Coach Anderson, winning its second GNAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship in 2019. He also has some interesting ideas for rules changes he’d like to see. 

Mike Sciamanna - Head Coach, St. Anselm Building a Winning Div. II Culture

Mike Sciamanna is now in his seventh season as head coach of the Saint Anselm Hawks lacrosse team in Goffstown, NH. He talks with about changes in the game over the years and how that has affected his strategy. Coach Sciamanna led the Division II Hawks to their best season ever, with a 10-0 record and an At-Large bid in the NCAA Division II Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Coach Sciamanna also talks about the Division II recruiting process, which is different from the Division I and III process.

Scoops‘ Matt Belson on Making Lacrosse Fun For Young Kids

Joining hosts Kyle Devitte and Jack Piatelli is Matt Belson, the founder of Scoops Lacrosse. Belson teaches young kids, starting at age three, how to have fun while learning lacrosse. He started his program by teaching his son in the family backyard, and the program has now expanded all the way to Georgia. Belson’s philosophy? “Leave ‘em smiling.”  Learn more at scoopslax.com.

Mike Murphy, Penn Men‘s Lacrosse All-Time Winningest Coach

We welcome Penn's all-time winningest coach, Mike Murphy, to the podcast. The Quakers' head coach joins hosts Kyle Devitte and Jack Piatelli to discuss what he looks for in a prospect. Among Murphy's criteria: passion, attitude and a high level of competitiveness. He also shares his own opinion on the transfer portal and the state of the game today in this fascinating and insightful edition of the show.

Episode 27 – Casey D’Annolfo

Tufts men's lacrosse head coach Casey D’Annolfo runs one of the country's top Division 3 programs. Before running the NESCAC side, he revitalized the boys lacrosse program at the Taft School.

Episode 26 – Keith Bugbee

Keith Bugbee will enter his 39th season as the head men’s lacrosse coach at Springfield College during the 2021-22 academic year. Currently one of the winningest coaches in collegiate lacrosse history, Bugbee also serves as an assistant professor of physical education at Springfield College.

Episode 25 – Amanda Belichick

Holy Cross coach Amanda Belichick, daughter of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, talks about her career trajectory and the lessons imparted from her father.

Episode 24 – Andy Towers

Chaos LC head coach Andy Towers (New Canaan, Conn.) joins the show to discuss the upcoming Premier Lacrosse League Championship Game against Whipsnakes LC, life as a PLL head coach, and breaking down differences in the college and pro games.