The Soldiers To Sidelines Lacrosse Coaching Certification Seminar brought together service members, veterans, and aspiring coaches for an immersive, multi-day learning experience centered on leadership, fundamentals, and long-term athlete development. Designed to equip participants with both technical lacrosse knowledge and human-centered coaching skills, the seminar reflected Soldiers To Sidelines’ mission of empowering the military community to lead and inspire through sport.
The seminar was made possible through the generous support of Wells Fargo, PenFed Foundation, and CVS Health, whose continued investment allows Soldiers To Sidelines to provide high-quality, no-cost coaching education to military-connected individuals.
The week began with Harrison Bernstein, Founder and Executive Director of Soldiers To Sidelines, outlining the structure and expectations of the certification program. Bernstein emphasized that certification is not a license to coach, but rather access to a growing ecosystem of resources, mentorship, and continued education. Participation, reflection, and completion of all sessions and assignments were key components of earning certification.
The seminar’s keynote address was delivered by Bill Tierney, legendary former Head Coach at Princeton University and the University of Denver. Tierney spoke about sacrifice, humility, and the responsibility coaches carry beyond wins and losses. He emphasized listening, staff alignment, and celebrating small victories to build trust and team culture.
Scott Urick, STS Lacrosse Director, led the core lacrosse instruction throughout the seminar, covering foundational rules, positions, and skills. He emphasized fun, pace, repetition, and fundamentals while teaching spacing, shooting, ground balls, and the 2-3-1 motion offense.
J.L. Reppert, Head Coach at the College of the Holy Cross and former Marine, focused on practical coaching, decision-making, and extra-man offense concepts. He emphasized game-like practice environments and organic skill development.
MG (Ret.) John Uberti, a former paratrooper and Commissioner of the Northern Virginia Youth Lacrosse League, presented on rules, safety, and officiating philosophy. He emphasized fairness, safety, and proper communication with officials.
Dave Pietramala (current UNC Lacrosse Defensive Coordinator and 2x National Champion former Head Coach at Johns Hopkins University) and Ryan Wellner (Current Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Director 2x National Champion at Notre Dame) delivered advanced defensive instruction covering team defense, positioning, communication, and scheme simplicity.
Sean Quirk, Head Coach at the University at Albany, concluded the seminar with focused instruction on goalie fundamentals, communication, and mental performance.
The Soldiers To Sidelines Lacrosse Coaching Certification Seminar blended elite lacrosse instruction with leadership development and character education. With support from Wells Fargo, PenFed Foundation, and CVS Health, Soldiers To Sidelines continues to build a national community of coaches committed to service and impact.
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