Year End Letter

To all of our players, families, coaches, and supporters,

We have come a long way since the first season club lacrosse season 5 years ago at CDM where the team didn’t even score one goal in any of their games. This year our team had an outstanding season on and off the field and how we were able to compete in our playoff games shows that we should be one of the elite teams to beat in the county for the coming years. Only a couple of goals away from going to the championship game.

I am writing this note to thank everyone who had a hand in bringing our team together the past couple of years and making this our first CIF season a reality. If you have not been behind the scenes and watched and listened to all of the work being done it is hard to understand the time and commitment that many of the parents have put in to make this season a truly winning performance.

I would like to thank all of our board members who took the time to meet every month and help make decisions on the activities on and off the field. Our VP’s Sherry Abbott, Brian Corrigan, our Treasurer Kathy Horton, and Secretary Rose Kottke, Joe Kidushim, Kristine Flicker, Carl Wolonsky, Arnie Pinkston, Jenny Tomlin, David Prickett, Otis Mitchell, and Jeff Russell.

I am not sure how you thank Rose, Kristine and Pam Nelson for the collection and cleaning of the uniforms after each game and for helping set up the field equipment and preparing for each game. Jenny Tomlin for being the social coordinator for all of our season pre game team dinners and end of season activities, David Prickett for designing the Gratzinger trophy and coordinating all of the end of year awards and events, Mary Mix for coordinating all of our volunteers, and Veronica and Joe Kidushim for all of their help in the photographs and Ben’s help on the web site. I apologize if I have lefty anyone out it is not intentional. This letter is harder to compose than I anticipated.

One of our largest hurdles in becoming a CIF sport at the district and school level would not have been overcome without the help of Sherry Abbott, Brian Corrigan, and Joe Kidushim. The amount of time and energy in speaking with the powers at our school and the district were all worth the effort and we can truly see the fruits of all our labor. We should thank Mrs. Asrani, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. Orris for all of the support they have given us this year in putting together a truly first class atmosphere at the school and on the district level. We are definitely the talk of the Southern Section with our uniforms and Peninsula Park playing fields.

The biggest thanks do need to go out to all of our coaches Varsity and JV who have created a positive experience for all of our players and have made a huge commitment to the Lacrosse program at CDM. Mark Todd and GW Mix have instilled respect, leadership, and have become role models for our players and have given them an opportunity to play a team sport in a competitive environment. I think all of out players will be able to remember playing in a true program not just being coached on a team. Developing a program with our JV team and seeing the talent that will be moving up to the varsity level in the next couple of years is why we spend so much time making sure that everything is working the way we planned and is the verification that the goals and objectives we set each year are met and hopefully exceeded.

The last 3 years on the board and last 2 as President have been filled with a lot of success and I would like to thank everyone who had confidence and trust in all of the board and this program to allow me to help guide CDM lacrosse through the past few years. My term is up after the banquet and we will be welcoming in Michael Bush as our next President. No need for sadness, I will not be leaving the program as I have 3 more years of playing time so my vested interest in the success to the next generation is still very strong. I leave this year with CIF being a reality, money in the bank, and hopefully a lot of goodwill for everything we have accomplished on the team level, the school and district level, and judging by the talk around town and the amount of fans in the stands on the community level.

We have 2 fun events coming up in the next couple of weeks and hopefully everyone will be able to attend. Jenny will be sending out announcements and invitations and I will look forward to seeing everyone at the beach and the banquet

Thank you again for all of your support. Our players do know that we are and always will be there for them.

Regards,

Alec Abbott
President