Leanne Stickle and Nicole Cummings are ready for the snow to melt and for spring to begin as they take the helm for Clarkston Girls Lacrosse Program.
Stickle steps into the position of head coach for the varsity team and Cummings will coach the junior varsity team.
Both understand the program has seen a lot of changes over the years and are ready to start rebuilding the program to be as strong as the boys’ program.
“It is something we want to get to,” Stickle said. “It’s an example for some of the parents and players of what we are trying to get to. To see a team that has succeeded and was where we are at right now it gives them hope and makes the program real attractive.”
She added they are working with Brian Kaminskas, the boys varsity coach, and they plan to join the boys teams on fundraising.
“We want to make it a family program,” Stickle said.
They will start the girls program with passion as both of love for the game.
“I am really passionate about this sport, how it’s played, and watching it, too,” Cummings said.
“Nicole and I share the same vision as we build the program,” Stickle added. “Not just focus on the varsity and JV but look at the youth. We want the parents and the kids in the area to think of lacrosse as competitive and fun. It takes dedication. My passion will definitely show on and off of the field with the girls.”
Their love for the game started young as both grew up playing lacrosse. Stickle grew up in New York and began playing when she was in fifth grade.
“My dad played lacrosse,” she explained, adding he now coaches the Clarkston Boys JV team. “He was the one who encouraged me to play and my two brothers play. I love the game.”
She played throughout high school. Then, she was recruited to play at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania where she played for two years and went to the NCAA championship.
“I didn’t think I would play for college,” Stickle said. “Then, I was recruited.
She stopped playing when she transferred to the University of Michigan.
“I missed it and wanted to come back and coach,” Stickle added. “When this position opened I jumped on it. I haven’t played since my junior year in college. I am from the east coast and it’s a lot bigger out there. It’s exciting people are showing interest and it will be exciting to build the program.”
It was through her dad she knew Kaminskas who informed her about the vacant position.
Cummings began playing when she was a child. Her sister played and she picked it up.
“I never thought I would be playing for college either until I got recruited to this side of the state,” she smiled. “I don’t know what else I would be doing. I got really excited the coach called me to recruit me for the team. I did a little bit of coaching for elementary girls back home that is a lot different.”
She was recruited to play for Oakland University and is currently a sophomore studying elementary education.
“Playing lacrosse which is something I enjoy very much,” Cummings said. “I want to show the younger girls how to play since it is still such a new sport.”
Both would like to take the success they had through high school and college and bring it to Clarkston.
“I want to share that experience and share things my coaches have taught me to make our team successful,” Cummings said.
“When I was in high school we had a really strong program,” Stickle said. “I know what it takes from a player’s point of view. I know how the coaches who coached me acted as a coach and just knowing what it takes to be a successful team. Knowing the values I have and knowing what worked for me in high school and college as well and bringing it over here.”
Both know this spring will be a rebuilding year and have aimed their sights to have enough players for a JV and varsity team.
The next step is building competitiveness.
“We are building leadership on and off of the field,” Stickle explained. “We are setting sights high and making it competitive. Coming out with a winning season is one of our goals as well. We want other teams to compete with us because we are good. We are getting our name out there and turning around the program.”
Within the next five years they would like to have varsity, JV and freshman teams and also have community education for the off season.
For players interest in playing lacrosse both say to try it.
“It is a very unique sport,” said Cummings. “That’s what drew me into it. I played volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball. Lacrosse was a new challenge for me. It definitely was not easy when you start but once you get it comes natural to you.”
“It is a very fast paced game,” Stickle added. “It takes a lot of hard work and it is really fun. It is a team sport, too. You are constantly subbing in and out. Everyone works together. They call it the fastest game on two feet.”
. Tryouts are March 9 but off season conditioning is held Monday and Friday nights at the high school and Wednesday nights at Oakland Yard for stick work.
Stickle and Cummings welcome anyone who is interested to stop by.