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Wallace Back on the Lacrosse Field as Rams’ Boys’ JV Coach

From the moment he put down his stick and finished his playing career, Mark Wallace has yearned to get back into lacrosse and the members of the Old Saybrook boys’ program are thankful he feels that way.

Mark started playing lacrosse in his freshman year at Newington High School. Having lived in Old Saybrook for the past five years, Mark spent some time as a girls’ basketball coach at Old Saybrook Middle School, where he currently teaches Spanish and French. Now this spring, Mark has made his way back to the lacrosse turf as the new JV coach for the Rams’ boys’ program.

“This year, I took on the position of coordinator for the World Language Department at the middle school, so I stepped away from basketball. I was then contacted by former students on the high school lacrosse team and was asked if I could come aboard and help,” says Mark. “I sent a letter to request an interview for the JV position with [Old Saybrook Athletic Director] Jeff Mauri and [Rams’ Head Coach] Allyson Tanner. Allyson and I connected well and shared similar views on coaching the game. I had a follow-up interview with [Principal] Sheila Riffle and got the nod.”

Mark feels there’s a good amount of common ground between the field and the classroom. He’s all about letting the kids build up their faith in themselves and the game through the tribulations they experience and the lessons they learn in each arena.

“My coaching style is very similar to my teaching approach. The most important thing with me is feedback. You have to let them know what they can do to improve the next time,” Mark says. “A lot of motivation with the kids comes from their self-confidence. Relationships with them are also super important. They need to like and respect you in order for them to buy into what you are selling.”

Any coach has an impact on his or her team’s outcome and, of course, the desired result is always a victory. However, even in defeat, Mark loves it when he hears his pupils express their appreciation for Old Saybrook’s coaching staff.

“A lot of times, fate is in your own hands as a player, but as a coach, you can maybe focus on something you didn’t do right. But it’s great to see the kids come together as a family and a warm, solid unit in which they feel comfortable,” says Mark. “We had a rough game earlier this year, but the kids came up to us afterwards and told us that the thing we were having them work on really worked for them. To me, being able to hear that is great.”

Mauri explains that Mark features the winning combination of smarts, plus a passion for the game, that can potentially guide the Rams toward success.

“Mark has a strong knowledge base, especially in regard to tactical skills,” says Mauri. “He brings an enthusiasm and passion that is contagious and will help continue to build our lacrosse program.”

Times have changed from Mark’s playing days and many members of the Rams’ JV squad are newcomers to lacrosse. Still, Mark views that as an asset rather than a detriment in his coaching position because it brings him back to his formative days with the sport.

“It’s somewhat different here at the JV level from when I grew up because there are a lot of first-year players on JV, so it’s an adjustment for me. It’s exciting for me, though, to look back on the fundamentals,” Mark says. “I try to focus on getting in reps of them and build off of that, such as with catching, passing, scooping ground balls, so they can be ready for any spot on the field. I also work on understanding the importance of communication and to make sure everyone is assigned to someone on defense. I’m happy to teach these kids the fundamentals and love to see them when they make those breakthroughs.”