CAA Coaches Elevate Pro Game While Leading College Programs
Miles McQuiggan
SPARKS, Md. (Aug. 1, 2023) – As the Athletes Unlimited lacrosse season reaches the midway point of its third season, the CAA is well-represented.
Six alumnae of current and former CAA members play in the league this summer at USA Lacrosse Headquarters in Maryland while working a range of jobs, from college assistant coaches to business owners to broadcasters and beyond.
In addition to that group, two of the conference’s nine head coaches wear numerous hats in the summer collegiate “offseason” as professional players leading CAA programs.
Drexel’s
Katie O’Donnell (along with assistant
Katrina Geiger) and Towson’s recently hired
Kristen Carr perform the juggling act of college coach, recruiter, professional player, and grower of both the college and pro game from a single-site season in Maryland.
“When I was an assistant coach, it was more ‘what are my marching orders’ from whoever I was working for at the time,” said O’Donnell. “Now it’s being able to stay organized and to not have my head in two places at once but be able to bounce back and forth to make sure we’re on track at Drexel.
For O’Donnell, having the league’s players all in one place allows her to run ideas by other players in similar shoes, including one of her assistants.
“I’m so fortunate that Katrina’s here playing also,” said O’Donnell. “I have her here to bounce things off and delegate things to, and (Alyssa) Guido’s holding down the fort in Philly. We have so many coaches here and we’re asking each other, ‘how are you doing things right now’ or ‘are you dealing with this too?’”
“In a way, it makes it easier.”
Carr is navigating the start of her first college head coaching job while playing professionally, having been hired by Towson in mid-July. The former North Carolina defender with a coaching history at premier programs looks at the dual role as an opportunity.
"Quite simply, it's incredible!” said Carr. “To play a small role for the growth of the game we love is humbling. AU created the opportunity of a lifetime for us to play lacrosse at the highest level post-college. We gain experience and a wealth of knowledge playing with the top active players in the game. Any time you are learning and growing you give yourself tools to bring back to the collegiate playing field."
For the leadership of Athletes Unlimited, which currently oversees leagues in lacrosse, softball, volleyball, and basketball, the long-term goal is for its athletes to not have to supplement a professional career with additional work. But in the short term, a silver lining is the doors opened to increase exposure and interest in AU’s sports.
"Reaching the community and connecting with younger generations of lacrosse players is a critical aspect of an AU Athlete,” said Abi Jackson, the Director of Sport for Lacrosse with Athletes Unlimited. “While it is our goal to eventually provide opportunities for our athletes to play year-round, we love that almost everyone has the time and drive to work a clinic or grow the game. Within our ranks are Division 1 college coaches, engineers and business professionals with traditional 9-to-5s, and players who have launched their own lacrosse training companies. We love the diversity and range of our players and their ability to switch gears in a moment. The more access we can provide to young players and fans, the more exposure these pros receive. Exposure for our players and our league as a whole only rises our collective tide."
As CAA coaches and alumnae simultaneously rise the tide of the professional and college game – and the levels that build it – they wear a collection of hats in a town outside Baltimore to improve opportunities everywhere for the athletes who will follow.
Follow #CAALax on
Facebook,
Twitter and
Instagram to get up-to-date information and learn more about CAA member institutions and their teams.