First Class Lacrosse Podcast

Checkout The FCL Coaches Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1stclasslax.com/communityOn the First Class Lacrosse podcast, hosts Deemer Class and Matt Dunn welcome women’s lacrosse analyst Sheehan Stanwick Burch and longtime NCAA official Francie Box to discuss their lacrosse journeys and major 2026 college rules emphases. Box highlights increased enforcement against physicality via expanded one-minute releasable green cards, nonreleasable yellow cards for dangerous contact to the head/neck and upper back, stricter timing to speed restarts toward a two-hour broadcast window, wider access to video review, and required official headsets. Stanwick Burch and Box address confusion and inconsistency around “illegal use of the stick,” shaft/hand checks, and how green cards affect game flow versus yellow cards. They also explain key women’s rules versus men’s, including three-seconds, shooting space, charge/block standards, held whistles/flags, and advantage/non-engagement, and suggest possible refinements such as false-start penalties on 8-meter free positions and narrowing green-card scope.Timecodes0:00 - Intro5:00 - Notable Rule Changes19:00 - The Women's Game Today25:00 - Grey Areas42:15 - IWLCA White Paper48:00 - What Coach's Should Teach52:10 - Top of Mind RulesCheckout from FCL!Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Checkout The FCL Coaches Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1stclasslax.com/community⁠Deemer Class and Matt Dunn discuss the season’s increased parity in men’s and women’s college lacrosse, noting nontraditional top teams like Richmond, Harvard, Stanford, and Navy, and highlighting Northwestern’s overtime win at UNC that ended a 31-game streak, plus an upcoming Notre Dame–Richmond broadcast. They touch on how hard it is to watch games across fragmented streaming platforms and the idea of building an at-home “command center.” The conversation shifts to the overlooked “99%” of players, emphasizing sacrifices, process over outcomes, and lasting value from lessons and relationships even without elite accolades. They address today’s youth sports landscape—club expansion, private equity, and fewer rec options—urging families to avoid overcommitting and to value varied roles and local play. Dunn outlines a confidence framework (preparation minus attachment to results), reframing nerves as normal and trainable through mental skills.Timecodes0:00 - College Season Thoughts8:00 - The 99% Journey27:40 - Youth Sports Landscape45:50 - Building ConfidenceCoaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Checkout The FCL Coaches Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1stclasslax.com/communityDeemer Class and Matt Dunn open the First Class Lacrosse podcast by recapping mid-March lacrosse season context, the end of FCL’s winter training circuit across the East Coast, and Deemer’s career path from finance in NYC to coaching and building FCL, including USC and St. Paul’s. They discuss changes in athletes’ busier schedules, adding constraints-led methods, and define “coachability” through a Lake Forest clinic where players quickly applied feedback, asked questions, and did extra work. Matt updates Highland Park’s 8–1 season and upcoming spring break trip. They reflect on a Jesse Bernhardt episode about developing bench players and transparency amid transfers and NIL. The conversation covers team slumps, accountability and buy-in, trainability and multi-sport sampling (David Epstein), reinvention, perfectionism (Andre Agassi), and framing success as being the best teammate.Timecodes0:00 - Camp Updates17:30 - Takeaways From Last Pod28:30 - Slump Busting41:15 - Trainability56:30 - Chasing PerfectionCoaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Checkout The FCL Coaches Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1stclasslax.com/communityMatt Dunn and Deemer Class host Jesse Bernhardt on the First Class Lacrosse podcast, highlighting his background as a Maryland defensive coordinator, Team USA two-time world champion, and his PLL career. Bernhardt discusses what he would do outside lacrosse, the influence of his football-coach father—especially relationship-building, preparation, and direct transparency—and how he applies those lessons through clear role definition, availability, and structured film sessions. He outlines common freshman defensive issues like stick placement, stance, and inefficient footwork, emphasizing fundamentals as the root of most breakdowns, and explains how he designs drills despite limited offensive personnel. The episode also introduces The Approach, a two-day immersive defensive camp (July 15–16 at Chase Field House) with an added coaching clinic aimed at teaching a connected, college-style defensive system.Timecodes0:00 - Coaching Family19:00 - Transparency & Routines42:30 - Drilling Fundamentals52:30 - Introducing The ApproachCheckout our newsletters!Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Checkout The FCL Coaches Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1stclasslax.com/communityDeemer Class and Matt Dunn launch the next wave of the First Class Lacrosse Podcast, focusing on player development and strategic insights for the upcoming spring season. They reflect on past episodes featuring coach interviews and set the stage for new discussions on a variety of topics, including lacrosse techniques, recruiting, and leadership. The guys delve into the importance of shot selection, introducing the 'gold medal shot' analogy to improve scoring efficiency. They also explore the concept of Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) in training, emphasizing the importance of creating drills that solve specific tactical problems. Deemer and Matt discuss the challenges of developing defensive skills and the importance of adaptable, game-speed scenarios in practice. The episode concludes with practical advice for players preparing for tryouts, highlighting the importance of mindset, off-ball contributions, and maintaining perspective.Timecodes0:00 - The Future Of The Podcast6:30 - Gold Medal Shots36:45 - Designing Drills1:04:00 - Approaching TryoutsCheckout our newsletters!Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Checkout The FCL Coaches Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠1stclasslax.com/community⁠⁠Deemer Class and Matt Dunn run the two-man weave, highlighting key takeaways and reflections from season two of the college coach interview podcast series. They discuss interviews with notable college lacrosse coaches, emphasizing themes such as authenticity, the evolution of coaching, intrinsic motivation, and the significance of connecting with players. The guys also explore how coaching extends beyond the sport itself, aiming to impact athletes' lives positively. The episode underscores the importance of adapting coaching methods to modern players while maintaining core values, and employs the advantages of technology in fostering coach-player relationships.Timecodes0:00 - Intro5:45 - Coaching Changes17:30 - Creating Experiences39:00 - Building Trust45:30 - Relationships with Sports55:40 - Motivation, Passion & AuthenticityCheckout our newsletters!Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Checkout The FCL Coaches Community: ⁠⁠⁠1stclasslax.com/community⁠⁠Deemer Class and Matt Dunn welcome Loyola University Maryland Head Coach Jen Adams. The discussion covers Adams' illustrious career in women's lacrosse, including her 18 years leading the Greyhounds to numerous championships and NCAA tournament appearances. Adams reflects on her upbringing in Australia, her experiences playing at the University of Maryland, and her shift into coaching. Key highlights include the importance of building team chemistry, balancing competitiveness with fun, and adapting to the evolving landscape of women's lacrosse. Adams also shares insights into the current state of the sport, the impact of rule changes, and her commitment to growing lacrosse in Australia.Timecodes0:00 - Background25:40 - Coaching Styles33:00 - Loyola Story40:30 - Teaching Skills50:00 - Make Practice Fun1:03:00 - State Of The Game1:12:30 - Legacy & ImpactCheckout our newsletters!Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Checkout The FCL Coaches Community: ⁠⁠1stclasslax.com/community⁠⁠Deemer Class and Matt Dunn welcome University of Michigan men's lacrosse head coach Kevin Conry to discuss his journey and success in lacrosse. Coach Conry speaks about his career evolution from nervous beginnings at Maryland, where he honed his defensive coaching skills, to leading Michigan's program. He highlights key experiences, adapting to the challenges of coaching, and the importance of player-driven culture. The conversation delves into recruiting practices, practice habits, and the development of defensive strategies over the years. Coach Conry emphasizes the significance of authenticity in coaching and reflects on the continual growth and achievements of the Michigan lacrosse team.Timecodes0:00 - Intro & Background7:15 - Defense & Player Development38:45 - Value of Failure47:30 - Michigan's Success51:30 - Recruiting Thoughts1:00:40 - Authenticity Roller Coaster---Checkout our newsletters!Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Checkout The FCL Coaches Community: ⁠1stclasslax.com/community⁠ In the first episode of the Class Lacrosse podcast, hosts Matt Dunn and Deemer Class interview Notre Dame head coach Kevin Corrigan. Corrigan, who has been with Notre Dame for 38 years, discusses his coaching journey, including his early influences, challenges, and philosophy. The conversation covers his successful tenure at Notre Dame, characterized by multiple championship appearances, a robust defensive identity, and a commitment to player development both on and off the field. Corrigan also talks about the origins of the team's unique bagpipe tradition, the evolving nature of coaching, including how he balances discipline with creativity, and the different ways athletes have changed over the years. He emphasizes the importance of core values such as gratitude, passion, and hard work in building a successful program. Timecodes0:00 - Intro & Bagpipes5:00 - Background15:30 - Defensive Prowess22:00 - Learning From Others26:20 - Defying Fundamentals35:40 - Coaching Hard & Impacts55:00 - College Athletics ---Checkout our newsletters!Coaches Corner: ⁠⁠https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠Weekly Thought: ⁠⁠https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠On the Run: ⁠⁠https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe

On this episode of the First Class Lacrosse podcast, hosts Deemer Class and Matt Dunn interview Cornell University's head lacrosse coach, Connor Buczek. Discussing his journey from player to coach, Buczek talks about his leadership philosophy, the importance of culture at Cornell, and how he maintains high standards for the team. He also delves into the challenges of balancing coaching responsibilities with personal life, emphasizes the cultivation of strong player-coach relationships, and offers insights into the specific skills and mindset he instills in his players. The conversation touches on his experiences and mentorship from key figures like Tom Halley, and explores the dynamic of transitioning from a top player to leadership roles alongside former teammate Jordan Stevens.Timecodes0:00 - Connor's Background5:00 - Coaching Philosophy19:00 - Skill Development30:30 - Cornell's Culture & Influences42:30 - Growth as a Coach51:30 - Transition to Leadership---Checkout our newsletters!Coaches Corner: https://fcl-coaches-corner.beehiiv.com/subscribeWeekly Thought: https://1stclasslax.beehiiv.com/subscribeOn the Run: https://on-the-run.beehiiv.com/subscribe