Thomas O'Connell / Newsday / Roger Rubin

Coach Anderson is a great coach that treats his players fairly. I can see why they play so hard for him. Never giving up or doubting their coach.

I wouldn't be surprised to see O’Connell get more minutes next season. He could be very useful coming off the bench.
That speaks to his character, which Maryland acknowledged in the fall by bestowing him one of its highest honors, the Dick Edell Award. The honor is named for the late, longtime Terrapins lacrosse coach who asked players to strive to be their best on and off the field.
O’Connell knew that if he were to attend the ceremony in College Park, it would require missing a Red Storm practice and he was loath to do that because that’s just something that isn’t done unless there is injury, illness or an urgent family matter. Anderson thought different.
“Coach Anderson is the one who made the situation easier,” O’Connell said. “I think he had talked to [Maryland lacrosse] coach [John] Tillman. And he said to me that I had spent four years there and that I should go to receive the award for closure.”

“He thought I should go and that says a lot about coach Anderson,” O’Connell said. “Yes, he’s hard-nosed on that court, but he’s understanding. He gets all my respect.”
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
[quote="James Ray Lamb" post=380871]Coach Anderson is a great coach that treats his players fairly. I can see why they play so hard for him. Never giving up or doubting their coach.

I wouldn't be surprised to see O’Connell get more minutes next season. He could be very useful coming off the bench.
That speaks to his character, which Maryland acknowledged in the fall by bestowing him one of its highest honors, the Dick Edell Award. The honor is named for the late, longtime Terrapins lacrosse coach who asked players to strive to be their best on and off the field.
O’Connell knew that if he were to attend the ceremony in College Park, it would require missing a Red Storm practice and he was loath to do that because that’s just something that isn’t done unless there is injury, illness or an urgent family matter. Anderson thought different.
“Coach Anderson is the one who made the situation easier,” O’Connell said. “I think he had talked to [Maryland lacrosse] coach [John] Tillman. And he said to me that I had spent four years there and that I should go to receive the award for closure.”

“He thought I should go and that says a lot about coach Anderson,” O’Connell said. “Yes, he’s hard-nosed on that court, but he’s understanding. He gets all my respect.”
Click to expand...
[/quote]

He is a grad transfer, already 23, and this is his final year of eligibility.

What i like about the kid is even though only seeing the court in garbage time, such as when McDermott emptied the bench with 2 minutes to go at MSG, he played like a mature vet running out the clock and didn't fall prey to fans screaming everytime he touched the ball imploring him to shoot.

Anderson runs a tighter ship here, and imparts both respect AND discipline towards his players. Every good coach treats walk ons respectfully. Most importantly they push rotation players in practice and are often asked to mimic the style of an upcoming opponent's best player.

If you guys recalll, Norm Roberts put Phil Missere on scholarship under similar circumstances despite Phil's Dad being a university employee. It was a classy move rewarding hard work as is Anderson's.
 
Last edited:
This is truly a great story and kudos to Rubin for writing it and giving young O’Connell some recognition as he achieves his dream to play college basketball at St John’s . I know the school likes to recruit a lot of Chaminade kids . more for being good students than their Athletic prowess . Which is saying a lot about Academics on the good side . I understand from JSJ that this past year , about 15 Chaminade students enrolled at St John’s , which is the same number as Chaminade sent to Notre Dame . Quite a statement as to the School earnestly working to improve its Academic rankings . Which are very important to the University’s standing . I am just curious about young O’Connell choosing Maryland for Lacrosse , although it is Blue blood school for that Sport . St John’s is trying to build a Lacrosse reputation and maybe he could have played both Sports here too? Still a tip of the Hat to Thomas for realizing his Dream this season on the Court .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top