Ever since the conference’s formation in 1971, off-season workouts with coaches have been a NESCAC no-no. But under that recognize the loss of games and competitions due to COVID-19, NESCAC spring sports coaches were allowed to work with their teams this fall.

For first-year ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Bobcats in traditional spring sports like baseball, lacrosse, and softball, being allowed to practice with their coaches and new teammates right away this fall has been a unique experience in a unique time — and a silver lining in an otherwise difficult transition to college.

Video by Aaron Morse/ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College

“I lost my season last year, and it was hard to practice over the summer,” said men’s lacrosse player Lowell Hairston ’24 of Reisterstown, Md.

“Just being out on the field in any capacity has been honestly fantastic. Even with the modified drills with less people on the field and not being able to hit each other, it’s been so worth it.”

For head men’s lacrosse coach Peter Lasagna, being able to bound around Garcelon Field with his team “has been an exquisite joy. The reason why we know each other, the reason that we are connected, is because of our shared passion for lacrosse. For us to be able to actually experience that together in their first months of college has just been wonderful.”

They aren’t necessarily “normal” practices, with drills being modified to fit physical-distancing guidelines and, you know, everyone wearing masks. But to first-year students, none of that really matters.

Getting to know the coaches right away has been a crucial component of the fall practices for spring sports student-athletes. Hairston is already learning a lot about coach Lasagna.

“He’s honestly one of the most empathetic people,” Hairston said. “But he’s also just funny and knows when to get serious on the field too.”

Over at Leahey Field, pitcher Jack Potash ’24 of Seymour, Conn., was able to face live hitting for the first time in an entire year.

“I have been pitching pretty much since I have been playing baseball,” Potash said. “I did not get a chance to play this summer so it felt good; it’s always nice to go back on the mound.”

Learning from older peers is a big aspect of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ experience as a whole. And it’s no different in the world of athletics. One thing the more experienced Bobcats have emphasized is that flexibility is the key to success.

“Being able to adapt to different situations is definitely a huge thing,” said women’s lacrosse player Madie Donovan ’24 of Cohasset, Mass. “I think our upperclassmen are awesome and have really helped with that transition, you know getting up to speed with lifting and practices and class, all at the same time.”

When it comes down to it, the strong ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ community continues to shine through, even in difficult times.

“I just love it here,” Hairston said. “I have not had an experience like this. I have not been able to be in a community like this in…forever. So this is truly unique.”

Literal and figurative fog shrouded Garcelon Field on Wednesday as the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ women’s lacrosse team faced Wellesley in the Bobcats’ season opener.

The real fog occurred as warm, moist air settled over the area’s snowpack, and it engulfed players and coaches throughout the game. “This is by the far the foggiest game I’ve ever played,” said goalkeeper Eliza Statile ’19 of Ipswich, Mass.

The figurative fog was because 10 Bobcats graduated from last year’s NCAA tournament team, so prospects for 2017 have been hard to figure.

Until now. After nine different players scored goals in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’ 19-7 victory over the Blue, things are clearer. “We’re excited. This is the real deal,” said Statile.

NESCAC play begins Sunday at Wesleyan.

Ranked ninth in the nation, the women’s lacrosse team is in the NESCAC tournament semifinals, on Saturday, for the first time in program history.

What’s the key? How about 10 of them: the seniors who’ve helped to transform the team this year.

Tomorrow’s is at noon and .

The National Association of Collegiate Women’s Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) has recognized ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College Director of Athletics Suzanne Coffey as its 2001 NCAA Division III Administrator of the Year. Coffey will be honored at the Jostens Administrator of the Year banquet Oct. 15 in Wilmington, N.C.

Coffey has served as Director of Athletics at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ since 1991, after serving as interim director in 1990. She has been active on the national level of intercollegiate athletics, serving as Chair of the NCAA Division III Interpretations Committee and Legislative Committee. She has chaired the NCAA Lacrosse National Championships Committee, served on the Division III Management Council, and has served as an executive board member and as vice president of the Lacrosse Coaches Association.

Coffey received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Art from the University of New Hampshire and received her Masters in public policy from the Edmund Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. She came to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ in 1986 as the Bobcats’ third head coach of women’s lacrosse. In 10 years coaching the Bobcats, Coffey compiled an 88-46 record, leading ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ to its only appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament in 1992.

Coffey has overseen the expansion of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’ athletic facilities with the opening of the James Wallach Tennis Center and the Campus Avenue AstroTurf field in 2000 and the Russell Street Track and Soccer Field in 2001.

“We are both pleased and proud that Suzanne has received this recognition,” said ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ President Donald W. Harward. “Her accomplishments and significant responsibilities are ample evidence of how deserving she is of this award.”

The other administrators recognized for the 2001 award are J. Elaine Hieber, Iowa State University, Marilyn McNeil, Monmouth University, M. Dianne Murphy, University of Denver, Pam Gill-Fisher, University of California-Davis, Norma Dycus, Sinclair Community College and Carol Iwaoka, Big Ten Conference.