News Center
<< Back
Jack Emmer Runs Seminole Practice
Feb. 12 2010
Blake Browne
As the players arrived to Harkins Field for a crisp Wednesday evening practice, they could not help but notice an unfamiliar color and face standing amongst the Seminole coaching staff. The only man dressed in black amongst the sea of garnet and gold was none other than Hall of Fame Coach Jack Emmer.
Coach Emmer, a long-time friend to Seminole Head Coach Bill Harkins, retired in 2005 from collegiate lacrosse having accumulated 326 victories over his 36 year coaching career, which earned him the distinction of being college lacrosse’s all-time winningest head coach. Coach Emmer is one of only two coaches to have ever taken three different teams to the National Tournament (Cortland State University, Washington and Lee University, and The United States Military Academy). As head coach of the Black Knights of Army, Emmer’s teams reached the NCAA Tournament a staggering 16 times in his 22 years at West Point. Despite having been removed from college lacrosse for a few years now, Coach Emmer showed the Seminoles he had not lost a step.
Wasting no time, a brief introduction and a blow of the whistle had the 50 players alert and ready for the evening’s agenda. While many of the drills were similar in form to those of a typical Seminole practice, Coach Emmer emphasized the need for continuous movement and alertness. Throughout the night, the players were constantly challenged to work harder and to be ready at all moments. Coach Emmer’s philosophy for success is rooted in a great combination of speed, control and the ability to work together as an entire team.
Seminole Captain Robert Lee said Coach Emmer’s practice plan was, “An incredible way for all of the players to come together, and push each other to get better at every position.”
Indeed, every player was involved, even in positions seemingly unfitting as defensive players often times found themselves around the goal in positions to score as they were defended by their fellow attack men. In just over two hours with legendary Coach Jack Emmer, it became blatantly obvious to the Seminoles as to how his prior teams were able to gain so much success, and that similar success could be attained for the garnet and gold with that extra effort and willingness to play inspired lacrosse.
While the impact of a Coach of his stature weighs heavy amongst the players, the Seminole coaching staff was equally as entertained by the practice. Coach Harkins spoke of being involved with an “Emmer-run practice” saying, “It was a thrill for me to watch Coach Emmer put our team through a practice. It moved along at a rapid pace, and our team loved it. The players often seemed in awe of Coach and all that he had to say. He taught us an awful lot of important lessons in a short amount of time.”
It truly was amazing to see the great impact Coach Emmer had on the entire Seminole program. Every ounce of his effort poured into a single two-hour practice, and even when it was all over Coach Harkins added, “He wanted to give us more, just an example of why he is one of the game’s all-time greats.” Anyone who has ever come in contact with Coach Emmer would undoubtedly have the same great things to say about him.
In his first overall experience with lacrosse in the state of Florida, Coach Emmer was impressed with the level of play and the receptiveness of each of the players. It is his belief that lacrosse in the state and specifically at Florida State is most definitely on the rise.
During practice, Coach Emmer was impressed by “the willingness of each player to work hard and their ability to respond to whatever was thrown at them.” When asked about the quality of the Seminole program, Emmer seemed impressed. “I think the program has a lot of skilled players that could compete at any level of lacrosse,” he said, “and as a team they are right in line with many of the top tier programs.”
Much of the success of the Seminoles is attributed to the hard work that each of the men of the program put in daily, coaches included according to Coach Emmer. “I don’t know anyone who is doing what he (Harkins) does on a daily basis,” said Emmer in reference to Harkins’ 7 hour daily commute and countless hours of commitment to the team. As legends of the game, Coach Emmer and Coach Harkins rode away to traverse the state of Florida to return to their roles as long-time friends and ambassadors to the game.
Men like Coach Emmer reinforce the reason as to why we play lacrosse to begin with. His message to the team has provided a great foundation for this season, and it was truly an honor for all those in attendance to be able to participate in a winning tradition as presented in a two hour format.
Seminole Captain Jon Yates said, “Having Coach Emmer lead our practice was a huge inspiration to the team. We were lucky to have him help our program, and we truly appreciate his effort and time.” The Seminoles hope to honor Coach Emmer’s philosophy and integrate much of what he presented into practices and games to come. With the help of the Seminole Coaching Staff, the re-inspired Seminole team looks to be in stride for yet another successful campaign in the MCLA.
Feb. 12 2010
Blake Browne
As the players arrived to Harkins Field for a crisp Wednesday evening practice, they could not help but notice an unfamiliar color and face standing amongst the Seminole coaching staff. The only man dressed in black amongst the sea of garnet and gold was none other than Hall of Fame Coach Jack Emmer.
Coach Emmer, a long-time friend to Seminole Head Coach Bill Harkins, retired in 2005 from collegiate lacrosse having accumulated 326 victories over his 36 year coaching career, which earned him the distinction of being college lacrosse’s all-time winningest head coach. Coach Emmer is one of only two coaches to have ever taken three different teams to the National Tournament (Cortland State University, Washington and Lee University, and The United States Military Academy). As head coach of the Black Knights of Army, Emmer’s teams reached the NCAA Tournament a staggering 16 times in his 22 years at West Point. Despite having been removed from college lacrosse for a few years now, Coach Emmer showed the Seminoles he had not lost a step.
Wasting no time, a brief introduction and a blow of the whistle had the 50 players alert and ready for the evening’s agenda. While many of the drills were similar in form to those of a typical Seminole practice, Coach Emmer emphasized the need for continuous movement and alertness. Throughout the night, the players were constantly challenged to work harder and to be ready at all moments. Coach Emmer’s philosophy for success is rooted in a great combination of speed, control and the ability to work together as an entire team.
Seminole Captain Robert Lee said Coach Emmer’s practice plan was, “An incredible way for all of the players to come together, and push each other to get better at every position.”
Indeed, every player was involved, even in positions seemingly unfitting as defensive players often times found themselves around the goal in positions to score as they were defended by their fellow attack men. In just over two hours with legendary Coach Jack Emmer, it became blatantly obvious to the Seminoles as to how his prior teams were able to gain so much success, and that similar success could be attained for the garnet and gold with that extra effort and willingness to play inspired lacrosse.
While the impact of a Coach of his stature weighs heavy amongst the players, the Seminole coaching staff was equally as entertained by the practice. Coach Harkins spoke of being involved with an “Emmer-run practice” saying, “It was a thrill for me to watch Coach Emmer put our team through a practice. It moved along at a rapid pace, and our team loved it. The players often seemed in awe of Coach and all that he had to say. He taught us an awful lot of important lessons in a short amount of time.”
It truly was amazing to see the great impact Coach Emmer had on the entire Seminole program. Every ounce of his effort poured into a single two-hour practice, and even when it was all over Coach Harkins added, “He wanted to give us more, just an example of why he is one of the game’s all-time greats.” Anyone who has ever come in contact with Coach Emmer would undoubtedly have the same great things to say about him.
In his first overall experience with lacrosse in the state of Florida, Coach Emmer was impressed with the level of play and the receptiveness of each of the players. It is his belief that lacrosse in the state and specifically at Florida State is most definitely on the rise.
During practice, Coach Emmer was impressed by “the willingness of each player to work hard and their ability to respond to whatever was thrown at them.” When asked about the quality of the Seminole program, Emmer seemed impressed. “I think the program has a lot of skilled players that could compete at any level of lacrosse,” he said, “and as a team they are right in line with many of the top tier programs.”
Much of the success of the Seminoles is attributed to the hard work that each of the men of the program put in daily, coaches included according to Coach Emmer. “I don’t know anyone who is doing what he (Harkins) does on a daily basis,” said Emmer in reference to Harkins’ 7 hour daily commute and countless hours of commitment to the team. As legends of the game, Coach Emmer and Coach Harkins rode away to traverse the state of Florida to return to their roles as long-time friends and ambassadors to the game.
Men like Coach Emmer reinforce the reason as to why we play lacrosse to begin with. His message to the team has provided a great foundation for this season, and it was truly an honor for all those in attendance to be able to participate in a winning tradition as presented in a two hour format.
Seminole Captain Jon Yates said, “Having Coach Emmer lead our practice was a huge inspiration to the team. We were lucky to have him help our program, and we truly appreciate his effort and time.” The Seminoles hope to honor Coach Emmer’s philosophy and integrate much of what he presented into practices and games to come. With the help of the Seminole Coaching Staff, the re-inspired Seminole team looks to be in stride for yet another successful campaign in the MCLA.