The Encouraging Fact / Fall

Recently, I have been repeating this quote multiple times a day. I remember clearly writing it on a post-it note and putting the words adjacent to the door leaving my bedroom.

“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.”  - Henry David Thoreau.

Lacrosse has always been a vehicle for change in our lives. It is where our deep reverence for training comes from. Harrison and I spent hours together on the field at Summit saying nothing, just training, and that training changed us.

At UNC, staying the same was never an option. We had to change, and FAST, or stepping on the field for even a minute was not going to happen. 

We saw without a doubt this ‘encouraging fact,’ which laid one of the cornerstones for our endeavors. 

You. change, life changes.

You. get better, life gets better.

You. are the masterpiece, and the work in progress.

You. are the project.

The frustration of skill acquisition never lessened, the stress of the depth chart always was present, but who I saw in the mirror facing each day, one at a time, changed dramatically from that first year to the last. 

I always reminded myself of this encouraging fact, I can change.

This is the beauty of the Academy, and we believe where the real value resides. Players' skills get better indeed, they get stronger, healthier, sharper footwork, understand the game better, BUT, the quality that makes the biggest difference, that look in their eye starts to change. WHO is there training is different. They have caught fire from the spirit of this quote.

The player begins to believe in what they are doing. They are not just doing a drill, they are there WORKING on something, on someone, and that someone is going to make their life better. 

My prayer constantly is for our players to not lose hope in this fact. 

“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.”  - Henry David Thoreau.

Let's continue to raise the standard together.

As we begin another week, it was awesome to kick off our SAT/SUN training. Great to meet those new players who took advantage of that opportunity. Saturday & Sunday are a perfect time for players and families to check out the academy and take the first step to becoming a part of the family. Especially if you live 2+ hours away and can’t attend regularly.

Our crew that is sticking with us from the summer -  through to the fall and winter is about to witness the power of consistency. Very few people are going for 35+ weeks straight training nearly every day. Do something unique, produce something unique. 

All the coaches are more aligned and excited for the future than ever.

We appreciate you all. 

I never lost hope in this fact in college, and have never lost hope to this day.

Persever,

Henry Schertzinger