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SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
Mar. 25, 2004

Lacrosse team faces 2004 with new head coach

By Mario V. Carpanzano
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Coach Bryan Dibelveliss began his second year as a lacrosse coach at Norwich surprised by the challenges he would have to meet.

The only real challenge Dibelveliss had expected to face after the season was recruiting, but Marc Klaiman stepped down as head lacrosse coach, leaving big shoes to fill. Coach Dibelveliss was up for the challenge. After one year as the assistant coach for the Norwich men's lacrosse team, Coach Dibelveliss was promoted to head coach and charged with leading the team to its first playoff in history.

"There's a lot more responsibility that falls in your lap. There's a lot that goes into being a head coach," Dibelveliss said. "There's a lot more planning involved: trips, meals and games."

This is the second year Dibelveliss has been at Norwich; he was brought in to serve as an assistant coach for the football team. When a spot opened to try coaching a new sport, he jumped at the idea and began helping Coach Klaiman.

"With my background in physical education, I tend to have a different coaching style than Coach Klaiman," Dibelveliss said. "I tend to focus more on the individual and trying to develop their skills to better the team." He attributes this teaching style to the masters degree he received from Frostburg State College in Maryland, were he majored in physical education.

"For the degree, you have to be able to teach any aspect and not focus on one sport or technique. The players seem to be getting used to the new style," Dibelveliss said.

With most of the players on the lacrosse team being underclassmen, the transition has not been a hard one. Dibleveliss has not seen any "friction" from underclassmen or upperclassmen.

"The door is a little more open, now," said Dibleveliss, talking of how easy it is for the player to come talk to him about practice, new plays, or anything -- something that coaches in the past didn't have.

Not only has the interaction with players and coaches changed, but the number of coaches has increased.

"We have four guys on our staff, now, where last year there was the head coach and I. So I get a lot more input and different perspectives than in past years." The four new coaches help design the game plan and run the team and help the new players with the transitions from high school to college-level lacrosse.

"They're coming into it with an open mind, and they're doing a great job." Dibleveliss said. "They come to practice ready to learn, produce, and pick up new skills."

Dibleveliss says the team is learning in leaps and bounds; the team and underclassmen are great, with only minor setbacks.

"You'll have times when they're not responding, but that's sports, and this team does a good job of not breaking down a lot," Dibleveliss said.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.