The Kicking System (TKS) launched their radio show this past week, and SportsForce CEO, Andrew Beinbrink, was there to kick things off. Andrew and TKS’s John Matich talked college recruiting for kicking and punters and more. John is a former NFL and NCAA kicker and now owner and director of The Kicking System, which offers Camps & Private Kicking Lessons in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles. Visit www.kickingsystem.com for top level football kicking videos, recruiting tips, tools and upcoming kicking events. Below is an example of a highlight video of one of John’s kickers.
According to John, “The very first TKS Radio Show was a great success. Andrew Beinbrink stopped by and talked about recruiting. We got some great feedback and provided a ton of information. We also talked abut the seven points of success on becoming a kicker.” Visit the following link to hear the show at anytime. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kickingsystem/2010/04/20/football-kicking-punting-recruiting-news-workouts
During the show, Andrew and John discussed the Seven Points of Success to become a successful kickers or punter. You can find them below.
Academics – You must study and achieve the highest grades possible
Technique Work – Kicking 2-3x per week working on your skill
Physical Conditioning – Working out, specific for kicking (Yoga, functional training, etc)
Sport: Baseball Positions: CF Height: 6’0″ Class: 2010 School: St. Augustine High School San Diego, CA
Team captain and outfielder for the Saints, Connor Hofmann helped lead his team to the City Conference Tournament title. The Saints captured the title with a 7-5 win over the equally strong Scripps Ranch. Connor was the lead-off batter and in six tournament games went 10-for-19 (. 526) with 10 RBIs, eight runs scored, three doubles, a home run and six stolen bases. To view Connor’s complete SportsForce profile click here –http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/chofmann
Scouting report courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com
Coach Kentera and XX1090Sports Radio hosted SportsForce CEO Andrew Beinbrink recently to discuss the changing time line of college recruiting, the importance of video in the recruiting process and how SportsForce is working hard to help high school student athletes in every way possible. Check out the interview below. Coach Kentera highlights high school sports every week for XX1090 and is himself very familiar with college recruiting as he’s been a mentor to hundreds of student athletes guiding their careers in many ways including placing over 100 students at the college level and having 37 players drafted or sign professional baseball contracts. Check out the full interview below.
La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, CA), a perennial lacrosse powerhouse in Southern California won two early season games against top contenders to prove their continued strength in California. LCC met up with De La Salle High School (Concord, CA) earlier this month. LCC took control of the game from the start and held onto the game til the very end, defeating a strong De La Salle team, 11-5. Big performances came from Senior Middie Andrew Hayden and Sophomore Attack Brendan Gaughan and Senior Attack Timmy Andrews. See below for highlights of the game and be sure to visit the Lacrosse page at SportsForce.
Highlight Video courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com
San Diego’s Summit Performance Group (SPG), a leading provider of conference planning, incentive travel, sports hospitality and event technology solutions announced the launch of PacificXPOSURE. SportsForce has partnered with PacificXPOSURE, which is a premier national lacrosse tournament and Southern California sports destination event, that will take place in North County San Diego at Del Norte High School (Headquarters), Rancho Bernardo High School, and West View High School. The event is scheduled for June 25th-27th 2010.
Doug Wheeler, co-owner and partner of SPG, said that his company decided to launch PacificXPOSURE because of the growth of lacrosse in the area and the need for quality travel tournaments for the sport. The company’s site (http://www.summitpg.com/pacificxposure/index.htm) explains that “the tournament is open to boys and girls and men and women Open Divisionlacrosse players from across the country and Canada. Attendees will come from as far as California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Canada and the East Coast. Divisions will be separated by age level including elementary and middle school youth U-11, U-13, U-15 groups, high school and club boys and girls teams, and Open Division Men’s and Women’s play (high school graduates and above).”
The tournament will be led by director Dennis Yeatman from Rancho Bernardo. Dennis was recently elected member of the US Lacrosse San Diego Hall of Fame and has been directly involved in the sport of lacrosse for over 40 years. In 1996 he founded Pacific Lacrosse and has been operating girls & boys, youth and High School programs since that time. Both he and his wife were recognized in 2006 as recipients of the A. Norman Webb Award for their volunteering efforts across the county on behalf of the sport of lacrosse.
There will be a PacificXPOSURE Vendor Village at Del Norte High School in 4S Ranch, which is located in Northern San Diego. The Vendor Village will showcase both youth and adult offerings, including lacrosse and sports products, entertainment and food and beverages. Other tournament locations will also offer exhibits and showcases. The event will offer coaches talks and parent/child meetings as well as evening events. PacificXPOSURE will also offer an exclusive boys and girls lacrosse combine June 25th at Del Norte High School.
Wheeler explained that with today’s tough economy, PacificXPOSURE will offer the chance to attend an exceptional lacrosse tournament and event close to home. Taking place in June in San Diego County, PacificXPOSURE will also prove to be a great destination event for those traveling from out of the area.
PacificXPOSURE is a chance to give back to the community as SPG and the event work with Outdoor Outreach, a non-profit whose mission is to empower at-risk and underprivileged youth through outdoor programming and the Wounded Warrior Project that works to provide aid to and empower wounded soldiers.
The tournament will be led by director Dennis Yeatman from Rancho Bernardo. Dennis was recently elected member of the US Lacrosse San Diego Hall of Fame and has been directly involved in the sport of lacrosse for over 40 years. In 1996 he founded Pacific Lacrosse and has been operating girls & boys, youth and High School programs since that time. Both he and his wife were recognized in 2006 as recipients of the A. Norman Webb Award for their volunteering efforts across the county on behalf of the sport of lacrosse.
LCC faced off against Coronado this week. The game was sure to be full of action as Coronado defeated LCC last season in the CIF Championship game. Arguably the two best teams in San Diego and among the top teams in the state, Coronado and LCC fought hard to establish each team’s dominance for the new season. LCC took an early lead with help from Andrew Hayden who helped secure possession for LCC in the majority of the game’s face-offs. Hayden scored a game high three goals in the match up that LCC won 8-5. Timmy Andrews had two goals and one assist, and Brendan Gaughan finished with goal and two assists. No. 2 ranked Coronado played strong with great performances from Kyle Runyon and Alex Bookout who each scored two goals. See below for highlights of the game and be sure to visit the Lacrosse page at SportsForce.
Highlight Video courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com
Chris Rotelli is co-founder of Golden State Lacrosse Academy in San Francisco, CA (http://www.gs-lax.com/). Golden State Lacrosse offers clinics, camps, workshops, and private lessons as well as community outreach programs to bring lacrosse to new people. SportsForce caught up with Chris to find out what it’s like to play professional lacrosse, share his story and much more. Chris is a three time MLL All Star, winner of the Tewaaraton Award, and was named ACC Male Athlete of the Year (2003) among other honors.
When did you start playing lax? How and why did you get started?
I started playing in 3rd grade. My dad gave me a stick and taught me how to throw, and I feel in love with it instantly.
What caused you to make lacrosse your sport? What do you love about it?
I love the speed of the game, and the teamwork. It is extremely fast, and a total adrenaline rush the whole time you are on the field. Unlike other sports where only a couple people are involved with each play; in lacrosse every person on the field is involved in the game at all times, and that keeps it mentally engaging. Since everyone is always involved, it makes teamwork and communication huge parts of the game, and I love it.
How has lacrosse impacted your life?
Lacrosse has completely shaped my life. It gave me focus growing up, and taught me how to pursue my goals. It helped me get into a great college and gave me a career working with a sport that I love. Through lacrosse I’ve met so many amazing people, and now I have friends all over the world that I have either played with or against at some time in my life. I’ve been able to travel the country, and now I get to teach young kids that same way my role models taught me how to play the game growing up. I feel pretty lucky, and lacrosse has definitely given me a lot.
What advice would you give to young lax players hoping to play in college or beyond?
Shoot on a goal, and pass on a wall as much as possible.
You were a highly decorated player in great programs in both high school and college. What advice would you have for athletes who are trying to make themselves stand out at schools without such great programs, or those just playing club?
I came from Rhode Island where lacrosse at the time was only played in five schools, so I understand what it is like coming from a ‘small pond.’ My advice is to use that as motivation and work harder than everyone. If you are coming from an area where lacrosse is young, but you want to play with the best, you have to keep raising the bar for yourself, and out-work not only your teammates, but also every kid playing in Baltimore, Long Island, etc.
You were drafted first overall in the MLL college draft, tell us what that experience was like.
That was very exciting. We had just won the National Championship four days earlier, so it was truly an amazing week for me, and actually very humbling.
What is the life of a professional lacrosse player like?
It is very fun. We’re fortunate to get paid to play a game we love, and do it with our friends. I love it.
When did you start to think about “going pro?” What was that decision process like?
I honestly didn’t think about it much until after the National Championship. I was in my senior season in 2003 at UVA, and was only focused on winning a championship. Fortunately we did, and then I could think about the MLL. But the draft was three days after that game, so I really didn’t have much time to think about the MLL until I was in it. I played my first game six days later.
Explain a little bit about the mission of Golden State Lax Academy. Could you highlight some of the programs you offer?
Our mission is to create better players, and increase their enjoyment of the game. We teach them the right way to play, but also keep it as fun as possible. For us, practice was always fun because we loved lacrosse. So we really try to show kids that hard work not only can be fun, but should be fun. We do day camps, overnight camps, and clinics throughout the year. www.gs-lax.com
What is your favorite part about working with young and up and coming lacrosse players?
Seeing their excitement, and making a positive difference in their lives.
What do you think about lacrosse being the fastest growing sport in the country? Why do you think it is growing so fast?
I love that the sport is taking off. Lacrosse is addictive, and the most fun team sport you will ever play. In my humble opinion, it will not stop growing.
How did you land in California?
My favorite activities have always been lacrosse, surfing, and skiing. I moved to CA so that I could have easier access to surf and snow. In the northeast, you have to drop everything you’re doing to get the small windows of good surf or good snow, and I wanted to live somewhere it would be easier to work those into my daily routine. When I got here, I fell in love with all of it. San Francisco is the friendliest city you’ll ever see. People here are so fun and cool; it’s hard not to love living here.
A little rain didn’t disrupt the action at the Surfside Cup at Rancho Bernardo High School this weekend, and SportsForce was there to catch all the action including the defending Women’s Lacrosse National Champion Northwestern Wildcats . High school teams were treated to great weather on Sunday, but both days afforded great play, especially by the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, February 6th.
The Wildcats had an explosive opening half against the University of Massachusetts, leading 14-3 before the break. The first half contained the most action, though Northwestern easily outperformed the UMass Minutewomen in every facet, finishing the game with an 18-6 win.
Santa Barbara also took on Claremont McKenna College, beating them 9-7.
Aside from the college action, the Surfside Cup offered a high school tournament. Ten teams from around Southern California and one team, Wildcat Elite, from Chicago participated in the tournament. Sunday also offered coaching seminars and youth and shooting clinics to the San Diego lacrosse community.
In January 2006, Drew Brees was facing shoulder surgery for a torn labrum while the city of New Orleans was still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina that happened mere months before. Now, in 2010, both are looking at a revitalization, with a little help from one another. In the spring of 2006, Drew entered free agency while rehabbing his shoulder with an uncertain future and few teams interested in him other than his own Chargers and the New Orleans Saints.
Brees signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2006 just months after his shoulder surgery. The Saints were in desperate need of a quarterback to turn the team around and bring life back to the city and Brees proved to do just that. The city of New Orleans also provided the perfect opportunity for the already charitable player to expand and help a community desperately in need. The Brees Dream Foundation has donated more than $4,500,000 to charitable causes and academic institutions in the New Orleans, San Diego and West Lafayette/Purdue communities since its inception
Now, Brees, the Saints, and the city of New Orleans are onto the world stage, though many eyes have been on them all season. The Saints will take on the Indianapolis Colts in South Florida, with no doubt that many will be rooting for this comeback kid. Drew Brees has proven that resurrections can happen for athletes, teams and cities.
Watch below for Drew Brees at the 2009 San Diego Celebrity Golf Classic to see what he has to say about following your dreams and his future.
The Gonzalez Sports Academy is celebrating its Grand Opening Wednesday, January 27th. The facility which is owned and operated by the Gonzalez family and world class athletic trainer, Bob Foley boasts state of the art equipment and training tools for athletes of all sports and levels.
The Gonzalez Sports Academy (GSA) offers:
29,000 square foot indoor facility Speed & Agility Area Two (2) 180 ft long running track Weight Training Area Four (4) Batting Cages Strength & Conditioning Two (2) Pitching Mounds Juice Bar Three (3) Professional size Volley Ball Courts Gift Shop Five (5) acres of outdoor training space
The Grand Opening promised a chance to explore the facility and try out the training areas as well as a meet and greet with some pro-athletes including Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez, Tony Gwynn, Jr., Dave Roberts, Paul Molitor, Zeke Moreno and Nick Hundley. For more information on the GSA visit: http://gonzalezsportsacademy.com/
