Appreciation

[kladis]

Moving on from the PNCLL, this is something I absolutely have to do because it goes un-said too often.

I want to thank everyone who is a part of and runs the PNCLL for everything they have done and continue to do. Especially Jason, Bubba, Wish, Marilyn, I cannot tell you how appreciative I am of the opportunity you provided me for 6 years and provide each year for hundreds of college students like I was with your constant efforts and absolute countless hours of work to the PNCLL.

The PNCLL (and the entire MCLA) is an amazing organization that is very easy to take for granted as a player and even as a coach. But it is important to realize that without these great people, the PNCLL would not exist. Only when players consider how different their college experiences would be without lacrosse PNCLL, do they begin to realize it.

When I think about what I remember the most from college lacrosse, it isn't the on the field stuff, no goal, assist, award, win or loss is what I first think about. It is the people and experiences that you think about. Guys I played with and coached, played against and coached against as well as the people who were always where working with me to run a team as part the League. Road trips, hotel experiences, border crossings, tournaments, etc.

The great experiences sports provide people is easy to realize, but it is realizing that sports don't exist on their own is what is more difficult. It is thanks to the people who make up the PNCLL that these opportunities exist and thanks to each coach, player, administrator, director, etc. who contributes to the league that the opportunity is made use of. I was very lucky to experience the league as both a player, and as a coach to see both aspects of it. My goal was to develop Gonzaga and guide that program for a brief period and i thought it was a lot of work. But compared to the work required to manage and develop a league, wow. Not only that, but the progress we made at Gonzaga only exists with a league which to participate.

With that, I want to send my sincerest thanks to everyone- who I coached and played with, for and against, and to everyone who runs the league. It was great working with you, and a privilege competing against and for you.

Best,

Rick Kladis

[Dan Wishengrad]

Speaking for myself, you are most welcome Rick. And thank YOU too for all you did to help build Zags Lax into what it has become. I was very saddened to find out at the AGM that you had left GU, as I was planning to nominate you for an EB position. Best of luck in the future, my friend, I'm sure you will be successful at whatever you do.

Others who deserve alot of thanks include Dave Schmitz and Sam Sadler for getting the PNCLL off the ground initially. Dave, especially, led this league in it's early years, drafted our first set of By-Laws and is often forgotten for the huge role he played up until just this past season.

Let's also give a big shout out to Keith MacFie, who has been a terrific DAA/LAA/CAA this decade. We often forget that none of us could take the field to play a game without refs, and Keith has one of the toughest jobs in the entire MCLA because of the paltry few bodies he has to assign to work our games. Yet season after season, Keith somehow pulls it off. Kudos also to ALL our zebras. We players and coaches give you guys plenty of grief during games, but I for one greatly value your efforts and "in the heat of battle" often say or do things that don't demonstrate accurately my genuine admiration and appreciation. Keep up the great work fellas!

[laxfan25]

"in the heat of battle" often say or do things that don't demonstrate accurately my genuine admiration and appreciation.

Well that's because you weren't raised in one of those nice conservative households where you always raised you hand before speaking, respected your elders and never questioned authority.
Now we all see the horrible results!!

[Hi-Line Lax]

keep in touch Rick. Good luck with your future plans.

[Dan Wishengrad]

"in the heat of battle" often say or do things that don't demonstrate accurately my genuine admiration and appreciation.

Well that's because you weren't raised in one of those nice conservative households where you always raised you hand before speaking, respected your elders and never questioned authority.
Now we all see the horrible results!!

Cute. But most of the refs around here would argue that it's because I continue to struggle to fully make the transition from Head Coach (who is permitted to rant-and-rave a little) to Assistant Coach (Must be seen-but-never-heard). This is analagous to being a "recovering" alcoholic -- one is never actually cured, but rather wages a daily battle against the disease. In our 8-5 playoff loss to SFU up in BC a few years back, I got a bench penalty called against me for counting out loud "twelve-one-thousand, thirteen-one-thousand....) when the I believed that all three refs had forgotten that there was supposed to be a 10-count to get the ball back into the offensive box by a team in possession. I was, after all, attempting to influence an official's decision. Good call.

Of course, I am one of the few coaches who actually reads the Rulebook, and I realize that this drives my Zebra friends quite insane.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Rick,

Thanks for the kind words, but most importantly thank you for your contributions to this league as a player and coach. You are exactly the type of person every team in this league needs in order to grow and excel. The influence you've had on the GU program over the past 6 years has been enjoyable to watch. You played and coached with precision and class -- it certainly did not go unnoticed by your counterparts around the league. You will certainly be missed.

I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. I hope our paths cross again down the road. . .

[Ryan Hanavan]

Gonzaga has definitely come a long way Rick. Your hard work has payed off and I wish you all the best.