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Dick Edell (left), with 2012 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee Brian
Dougherty.Maryland.
and like you, fellow coaches, former Army players and I return to Maryland periodically to be “uplifted.” Last summer’s session
was particularly fun, since Slaf (longtime Edell assistant Dave Slafkoski) was there to join Jose Olivero, Scott Finlay and us. He is a giant of a man indeed, regardless of what his disease does to his body. His mind is still as sharp as an ax, and his memory is simply incredible. As I also tell his successors
EXAMPLE OF
COURAGE I enjoyed Bill Tanton’s
article on the “Big Man” Dick Edell (“Lunch with Big Man,” January 2014), and I am sure many others associated with college lacrosse enjoyed it as well. It speaks well of our game that folks make the effort to spend time with him. I followed Dick at West
Point (as Army coach in 1983). We were good friends before that and have become better friends since then. I, like you, marvel at his attitude in handling his debilitating
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injuries [due to body myositis]. When I call, he always turns the tables on me and we wind up talking about me and my family — typical Dick Edell. We work together on the
Tewaaraton Award committee and enjoy each other’s company. He sets an example of courage for all of us and we hope he will continue to do so for many years to come.
Jack Emmer Skaneateles, N.Y.
Jack Emmer is a National Lacrosse Hall of Fame coach. He retired in 2005 with 326 career wins.
A GIANT OF A MAN Thank you for the article on
Coach Edell. Before he was the Big Man, he was the Ogre at West Point. He arrived in the summer of 1976, and I was privileged to captain his first team there. In that role, I like to think we developed a fairly close relationship,
(Jack Emmer and Joe Alberici), a head coach at Army has more leadership impact on the cadets than any instructor or tactical officer, since he sees them almost every day for four years. We are blessed that Dick Edell once graced the halls of West Point, as many Army lacrosse alumni served (and still serve) with great skill, thanks to the lessons they learned from the Big Man.
Col. Kevin Scherrer Alexandria, Va.
The Real
Revolutionaries Paul Garavente CHATHAM, N.J.
I enjoyed reading Matt DaSilva’s article in the January
2014 issue (“Blue vs. White”). A couple of points to add to your analysis: I played against both Vinny Sombrotto and John “DeTo” DeTommaso in the 1980s. John was a great defenseman, but Vinny played midfield his whole career and also was outstanding. As for the long-pole position, it was guys such as Frank Prezioso (Harvard ‘81), Steve Mitchell (Hopkins ‘87) and Brad McLam (Hopkins ‘86) who revolutionized the position by becoming real offensive threats as well as expert ball strippers of the opponent’s best middie. I remember Princeton in 1982 riding us with nine long sticks before the NCAA mercifully changed the rule so only a maximum number of poles could be on the field at once. I’m happy to see the sport getting back to its roots as the fastest game on two feet with the shot clock, quick whistle and stall warnings. Keep up the good work.
February 2014 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 7
©JOHN STROHSACKER
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