Sorry guys, no motivational videos this year.  Just a quick message to help you get focused.  The key to success this season can be broken down into three simple categories ... Head, Heart and Hustle!

1)  Head:  Play smart, make good decisions, don't be selfish, maintain a positive attitude, and a be a good sport.

2)  Heart:  Play with passion, play with enthusiasm, and be fully dedicated to the success of the TEAM.

3)  Hustle:  Practice with intensity, give 100% effort every day, play at full speed, play to win, and never give up!

What do we want to accomplish in 2009?  The answer is pretty simple.  We want to have FUN, we want to IMPROVE as individuals and as a team, and (let's face it) we want to WIN!

What kind of PLAYERS do we want to become in 2009?  We want everyone to be TEAM players.  We want players who don't care about personal glory or individual recognition.  We want players who are not concerned about their personal stats or about receiving an end-of-season award.  We want players who are focused on winning groundballs, making saves, clearing the ball successfully, and getting ASSISTS (and who are not concerned about being the guy who actually scores the goal).  We want players who understand that they make themselves look good when they make their teammates look good.  We want unselfish players!  Why?  Because, selfishness will significantly reduce your chances for success as a TEAM.

What kind of a TEAM do we want to become in 2009?  We want to become a TEAM that uses their HEADS, plays with their HEARTS, and out HUSTLES their opponent every single game.  Coach Jackson has told you (many times) that lacrosse is a TEAM game.  All of you have the potential to be good lacrosse players, but you have the potential to become GREAT if you come together and play together as a TEAM.  So starting on Monday, show him that YOU are totally committed to practicing together as a TEAM, playing together as a TEAM, and winning together as a TEAM!  Show him that you believe in the "Head, Heart and Hustle" motto!

That's it guys ... now get out there, have fun, and prove that you are the best TEAM in the league!

Good Luck this season, we'll be rooting for you! 

PS:  The videos from last season are still available under the "Inspiration" tab if you want to check them out.

Coach Jackson wants you to TURN UP THE HEAT!  In fact, he wants you to turn it up to 212 degrees.  Why 212 degrees and not 211?  Take a look at the following videos to find out why ONE degree makes all the difference in the world.  The videos are best viewed with your volume ON.  Each video is only 2-3 minutes long and may contain an advertisement at the end, just ignore the advertisement and click on "close" at the end of the video.

Message 1:  Turn up the Heat!     www.212movie.com 

Message 2:  Reach new heights through Teamwork!     www.powerofteamworkmovie.com 

Message 3:  A good Attitude leads to success in life!     www.powerofattitudemovie.com

Message 4:  Find a way to LEAD!     www.rock-solidmovie.com 

Message 5:  Pursue Excellence and Prepare to Win!       www.lombardimovie.com

Take a few minutes to gain a COMPETITIVE EDGE … it could change the outcome of your entire season.  But keep in mind, there’s more to life than achieving excellence on the lacrosse field.  Coach Jackson wants you to achieve excellence in lacrosse, in school, at home, and life in general. 

Our success in life is not determined by what happens to us, but rather by how we react to what happens to us.  It’s all about attitude.  Losers like to whine and make excuses.  Winners show self control, they don't complain, and they never give up.  Winners fall down nine times and they stand up ten.  The truth is we learn more from one loss than we do from a million wins.  Why?  Because success tends to be a lousy teacher … it seduces us into thinking that we’re better than we really are.  Based on the outcomes of this week's games, it's safe to say that we were better than our first opponent; however our second opponent was clearly better than us.  Swallow your pride, pick yourselves up, and move on.

Winners recognize that there is always some one (or some team) out there who is better than them.  This is why winners focus on continuous improvement.  However, it takes much more than that to be successful.  It starts with complete command of the fundamentals (which includes superior stick skills, game knowledge, communication, ball movement, etc).  It takes discipline, determination, dedication, commitment, teamwork, and a burning desire to win.  You have to practice the way you play if you want to win.  You have to practice at full speed ... with intensity, focus, and passion.  You have to be willing to LISTEN, and be willing to LEARN, and be willing to TRY new things if you want to increase your chances of winning.  After all, the will to win isn’t worth a dime unless you have the WILL to prepare to WIN.  You have to practice like a champion to become one.

In the end, it’s the extra effort that separates the winners from the losers (212 degrees).  It’s time for you to realize that the best way to predict your future is to create it … so turn up the heat, make each practice count, and let the results speak for themselves.  We're all rooting for you!