Gary Gait Clinic Recap and Interview

If you came out to the Seattle Pacific University fields Sunday, you witnessed more than 200 kids and a who's who of coaches attending Gary Gait's players clinic.  Girls and boys from 3rd grade through high school were out on the field together, doing dodging drills, passing drills and learning from the Michael Jordan of Lacrosse, Gary Gait. 

Gait also ran both a coach's clinic for both boys and girls before the players clinic.  Gait knows all levels of Lacrosse A juggernaut, Gary had two hours of sleep the night before and travelled Sunday morning for the all-day Seattle showcase.  Gary spent time doing all kinds of trick shots and instructional shooting and positioning moves for all.  We had a chance to grab Gary quickly and see what he is up to these days.  In case you don't know who Gary is, here is a brief bio from his Hall of Fame induction.

One of the greatest lacrosse players ever, Gary Gait began his illustrious career by earning first-team All-America honors three times and USILA player of the year honors twice in leading Syracuse to national championships in 1988, 1989 and 1990. He holds numerous NCAA records, including goals scored in a tournament game, single tournament and career tournaments.
Gait remains Syracuse's all-time leading goal scorer with 192 and he was named to the 1990 USILA North-South Game. He played for the Canadian National Team in the ILF World Championships in 1990, 1994 and 1998, earning a place on the All-World Team each year. In 1991, he began a 15-year professional indoor career, winning Rookie of the Year honors.
Gait is a 15-time All-Pro and six-time MVP of the National Lacrosse League. He ranks as the NLL's all-time leading goal and points scorer. Gait has also played in Major League Lacrosse since the league's inception in 2001, helping the Baltimore Bayhawks to league championships in 2002 and 2005 as a player-coach. Prior to that, Gait played for more than 10 years in the USCLA, winning its MVP award four times and its championship twice. Gait served as an assistant coach on the University of Maryland women's teams that won seven consecutive NCAA championships in the 1990s and early 2000s. Lacrosse Magazine named him to its All-20th Century Team and the NCAA named him to its 25th Anniversary Team. He has assumed the head coaching duties of the NLL's Colorado Mammoth.
Additionally, Gary coaches a 3rd/4th grade team, the 5th/6th grade fighter jets and his daughter's youth girls team as well.  Gary has a pretty full schedule, but still has time to work on his National Development Program.
 
So tell us about NDP's Pacific Cup you are running on June 17-18th at Starfire Sports in Seattle. What is the focus of this tournament and other NDP tournaments like it?
We are trying to extend opportunities to grow the game after the season, more than just an event, more like a Lacrosse experience.  This includes: education, maybe cinics, recruiting services and everything you need to participate in Lacrosse.  In Denver, the 6-8 game regular high school season isn't enough.  We want to extend the experience. We will host a High School club division to start, get teams seeded and have a great time.  Eventually we will do the same with youth.

Tell us about the NLL outdoor league, what is the model, what is the difference from the MLL? 
Well this is more in addition to the MLL.  I could see starting this in many cities that don't have an MLL Franchise and do have NLL or are reachable from the NLL.  In the locations where there are common markets, I am sure there will be some consolidation.

How will this affect the talent pool for professional Lacrosse?
I see the pool minimally impacted for a short time before the overall quality is raised.

US Lacrosse and NDP, how are these two going to work together? I know there has been some rough past.
I am helping develop skill and age related development for age levels for US Lacrosse, and working with the national governing body to help promote the growth of the game in that regard. 
 
With this tournament structure, the winner of each tournament can compete for a national High School title? 
The idea is developing more oportunities for kids to get exposure, not being a high school team, but evolving the club game as an opportunity to play nationally.  We get winners from tournaments to come play nationally helped with a national sponsorship package to help develop national talent where kids can get involved and can be sponsored by a national organization.

I have to ask, how does NDP interplay with Starz?
I appreciate the opportunites Starz gives to players and the value of out of season coaching.  competiton builds quality as an example, there may be 4-5 club teams in Denver, and club teams are used to narrow down the kids that want to play in college.  Additionally, we are focused on tournament play and in collecting select teams including Starz teams.

What is the next playing opportunity you have in front of you?
I am playing on Team Canada this yearand it will be my rookie year at attack in the worlds this summer. I am looking orward to it and letting the young guys do the chasing.  I may play outdoor next year, but we will see based on the NLL outdoor league.
 
What about coaches that feel club Lacrosse attacks the foundation of School Lacrosse? 
 Club Lacrosse elevates the game's level immensely regardless. I think High school season is never going to be affected by Club Lacrosse.  Coaches, college and otherwise are all geared towards the in-season Spring Lacrosse season.  I don't know that off-season Lacrosse does anything but improve the quality of School programs.  Additionally, if there isn't any overlap between off-seaosn or in-season Lacrosse then why not?
Play Summer ball or Fall ball for whoever you want, and don't nail the seasons down for each sport. Play Lacrosse all year long, but we have to be open to multi-sport athletes.  Lacrosse is additional to any other sport, until Lacrosse season.

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