Head Coach Kevin Walz leads the men's lacrosse team during a recent practice in Jones Field House

Photo by Erik Kojola '09

by Erik Kojola '09

February 16, 2007 -- At 8 a.m. this past Saturday morning, while most college students were still in their beds, the Oberlin men’s lacrosse team was in Jones Field House starting practice.  The team had a special opportunity as alumnus Chris Wofford ‘87 returned to lead a weekend long clinic.  The event marked the fifth year that Wofford, along with several of his former club teammates, have returned to offer the team some guidance.

The clinic gives the team a chance to learn from knowledgeable former players and connect with Oberlin’s past.  Wofford, who played lacrosse at Oberlin for four years, brings a few of his friends from his post-collegiate club team, New York Athletic Club, to assist in running the clinic.   There have been former players from Division I programs like University of Massachusetts, Bucknell and Brown.  This year Rodney Brown, Bucknell ’83, and Michael Fiorini, UMASS ’85, accompanied Wofford.

Sophomore midfielder Jesse Kane participated in his second clinic and found the experience valuable.  “It was nice to connect with the history of the team and our past and to bring that to the present team.  A former player coming back makes it more meaningful than just some former Division I players coming to coach,” Kane said.

Wofford and his assistants led the team in individual skill work and team strategies.  During the Friday and two Saturday sessions the team went through multiple drills, scenarios and chalk-talk.  Learning the game from veteran players and former Division I athletes is an extremely beneficial experience and helped the Yeomen learn new techniques.

Five years ago after the annual lacrosse alumni game in the spring, the alumni realized the lacrosse program could use a boost.  Wofford decided he wanted to do something to help rejuvenate the program, which has a long and storied past.  He talked with the coaches and decided to come down for a weekend to assist in coaching the team.  This was the first of what would become an annual event.  As the program has evolved, the focus of the clinics has developed and gone from fundamentals to advanced individual skills and team concepts.

Wofford continues to come back because he enjoys sharing his knowledge of lacrosse with the current players and getting to know the team.  He feels an obligation to help the program and school that has done so much for him.  Wofford thinks the experience benefits the players because being coached by different people brings a new perspective and voice. 

Head coach Kevin Walz views the weekend as a good opportunity for the alumni to work one on one with the players.  “Chris [Wofford] is able to bring a fresh perspective and show that the alumni care about the program,” Walz said.

Fiorini, who played attack and midfield, decided to join Wofford for the past two years because he enjoys passing down his knowledge of lacrosse. “I like to try to impart the wisdom I have collected over the years,” Fiorini said. “I am a student of the game and want to give that knowledge to younger players who are anxious and willing to learn.”

Brown attended the clinic for the first time this year in hopes of giving something back to the game that has been a great joy in his life. Brown played both defense and midfield at Bucknell where he received All-American honors. 

The clinic gave the team a chance to incorporate new skills and strategies while connecting with Oberlin’s past.  Now the team is ready to get back to preparing for the season and its first game with a new vigor and insight.  The Yeomen will begin their 2007 campaign on February 25 against Saint Vincent College at Kent State University.

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