Informational Meeting 2/5/2020

Here’s what you may have missed at today’s meeting:

1. Get on our Remind team notification (use contact form here, share your cell # and/or email). Also, let me know what helmet you have (working on team decals for this year). Do that here.

2. Got questions, new to the game, need advice? Ask away here.

3. My welcome talk:

   I am so glad you all are here.

   Great Moments are defined by great opportunity.  And that’s what we have for you this year in OS lacrosse.  It’s a rare moment in time where every one of you (and I mean everyone) has a better than average shot at making the starting roster. 

   My name is Jon Mason, I was a member of the Hand lacrosse team and Florida Tech crew team and I currently play in an old man league in Montville.  This is my 13th season coaching lacrosse and my 2nd year with the Rams.  

   This year, we’re thrilled to have a stand-out athlete from North Branford assistant coaching with us.  I have no doubts you all will find inspiration as well as someone you can trust in coach Sagnella. 

   We’ve got a host of high-potential returners, from our captains, Matt and Ian, to our remaining Seniors: Alem, Jake, and Ed.  Our Juniors have 2 years of varsity experience and will give our sophomores a run for starting spots. Finally, we welcome some very talented freshman and I personally welcome you to step up to the high school game because in Old Saybrook, you’ve got a place for you, a family for you and a it’s a place where you can make a big impact - it’s all up to you.

   So while you’re sizing up the room, trying to figure out who your competition is, let’s talk about what success for Saybrook lacrosse looks like this year.  Our time here at OSHS won’t be judged by win/loss. Some folks will but that’s not me (never was, never will be). I believe winning a state championship is a by-product of all the things that I measure success by:

   • Commitment

   • Passion

   • Toughness

   • Love

   • Servant-Leadership

   • Discipline

   Take note - there’s nothing on this list that’s a skill.  Or how many years you’ve played. Or how tall you, how strong you are, what you weigh.  Everything on this list, you can learn this season. Everything on this list is going to help you become the best OSHS lacrosse player. If you commit to this team, I promise you good things will follow.

   Teams I’ve coached find success because they were committed, passionate, tough, yes, loved one another.  You’ll see it on the field when your youth teammates play against each other.

   I want to be judged by how you turn out.  I want to be judged by the impact you make, the men you become, the impact you make in your lives, in your kids lives.  Your time with Saybrook lacrosse will be remembered by the grind, the relationships and a few special moments on the field.  I want to win every game. I want to make States. I want to win states, but it starts with leadership, work ethic and commitment.

   From all the requests for games I’ve received this year, I can tell you everyone is looking right past Old Saybrook.  We’ve booked a lot of games because opposing teams figured they blow right by us. Zero press will be at our first practice.  Zero groupies will be at our home games. No one will ask us for interviews. No one will be prepping or scouting for Saybrook. No one expects what I have planned for them.

   That plan turns into action March 21  and I can hardly wait, gentlemen.I look forward to the ride ahead and I hope you do too.