As I sit and type this missive, the fourth thunderstorm of the afternoon is passing through Vail (or, more likely, the same one that is just bouncing off the freaking mountains ..... just to keep things exciting). After five days of perfect weather, I am reminded of just how lucky we were this week and what a great experience another Navy Lacrosse reunion in Vail has been.

Day 1 in Vail, 2011

Greetings 'Goats!

As a quick synopsis, weather is perfect, numbers are up for both teams, picnic was great and day 1 results are "mixed". For more ... read on .......

Day 1 was the normal flurry of activity ......... organizing last minute picnic details, organizing uniforms, organizing gear ..... normal stuff. Practice was attended by about 40 guys and was well run thanks to Buddy, Jack and Hank. The picnic started in its normal fashionably late status but there were no issues to report. One of our larger rookie classes (8 guys) received their first ever start and got to discuss their lacrosse lineage with the team.

Did I mention the perfect weather??

Day 2 in Vail, 2011 (first tournament games)

The day started way too early due to a late evening (work, work, work...) and something called "Calvados". I know, you might think that after 21 years with this team I would learn that the words "I really like this stuff, you should try some" are fraught with all sorts of danger. Oh well, could be worse, could not be in Vail.

First game pitted the Grand Goats (aka the "Way Too Freakin' Old Goats"..) against Los Viejos. Once again we gave up an early lead (6 - 1 in the first quarter) and once again we experienced the ignominy of defeat. Several late injuries and other problems kept the ranks of 50+ midfielders and defensemen in the "minimal" range. Not a great recipe for success but yet another point of recruiting emphasis for 2012. The 'Goats played hard (as always) and walked away with a loss but in no way defeated.

Massive doses of Advil and Gatorade later, it was off to the Super Master (40+) game. Numbers for the Super Masters group are up over last year (albeit a little weak on defense) but it was apparent from the first whistle that the NYAC group had also bulked up, both in numbers and talent. The 'Goats started off with a 2 goal lead, NYAC tied the game and we were off to the races. Game went back and forth with great play exhibited by both teams. 'Goats took a lead midway through the 4th, NYAC tied the game (on what was a truly horrific execution of the under 2 minute stall mechanic) but Navy scored with 54 seconds left and were able to seal the win with some stellar defense (and a body check that greatly resembled a truck running over a deer care of Sean Logan...).

Today the Grand Goats play ....... uh ........ somebody (does it really matter 'cause at 0830 it is hard to tell what color jersey they are wearing, let alone who they are). Old Goats play Texas (aka the Magic Wands aka "TeamWhoEverGaveUsMoneyLast" at 1230 hours. Texas crushed their opening opponent but the 'Goats will be augmented by the arrival of Coyne, Stulb and Bob "I now give the space shuttle piggy back rides" Z. We shall see.

That should do for now. Need to take more advil and head off to do battle on the barren plains of ......... oh, never mind.

More to follow, be safe and GO NAVY!!!

Day 3 in Vail, 2011

Tournament day 2 starts with the Grand Goats taking the field against the Princeton WhateverTheHecks (don't really pay attention to the clever names unless they actually are clever ...... honest, how many ways do you need to say "Caution, player prone to sudden loss of limbs while attempting to do act like they are 30"??). Anyway, Goats jump out to 2 - 0 lead but Princeton charges back to go up 4 - 2 at halftime. Navy regroups at halftime (which equates to advil, vitamin B complex and lying face down in the grass. Goats roar out of the gate, score 5 unanswered goals and then implement operation "if you want it come and get it" to close out the game. Much joy win Goatland, getting that win out of the way early REALLY took the pressure off the 50+ group. Next up - Colorado.

After a bit of rest and recovery time back at the condo, it was off to Ford Field for the 40+ game pitting Navy against Texas "your name goes here" Wands. Texas is obviously loaded, three defensemen from USA world game entries and a whole bunch of guys who look to turn 40 on December 30 of this year. 'Goat squad, playing with half of the 50+ team as starters or subs, had no chance and were beaten 14 - 0. Not the worst defeat in the annals of Old Goat Lacrosse (oh no, those are relegated to the teams of the early 90s .... sheesh .....) but not a good outing. However, there was beer and the sting of defeat had eased somewhat by the time we left the field.

After mandatory clean up (and nap time for yours truly) it was off to dinner at the Ore House (cow, potato, wine ........ had all the food groups) and good conversation. That mission accomplished, we trundled up to the Tap Room (where the annual tournament party was held) to complete arrangements for the closing banquet . That pretty much closed out the evening and it was off to the rack for some greatly needed sleep, happily cuddled up with my heating pad.

So, another day of mixed results on the field but absolute success off of same. Day 3 update to follow .....

Thanks and GO NAVY!

Day 4 in Vail, 2011

Day starts early for everyone (finally) as the Old Goats have an 0830 game against Middlebury. Game is what we have come to expect from the 40+ group ..... early lead followed by a back and forth game. Everyone on both teams played hard and you would never have known it was a game for 5th place. Regulation play ended in a tie.

Overtime faceoff was captured by Sean L. who charged the cage, fed Buddy G. and ran a picture perfect break. Unfortunately the shot went wide, Middlebury cleared the ball and took over on offense. Ball moved around a bit on offense and then a Middlebury player inexplicably found himself open on the crease. Feed, shot, game over.

Post game involved collecting jerseys, handing out gear and generally executing a team attitude check. Nobody likes to lose and this was a tough one. As with previous games, 'Goats just didn't quite have enough players in that critical 40 - 45 age range and ran out of gas. Not something that can easily be overcome on the field ...... but an issue that will be fixed over the next 10 months or so as we continue our recruiting drive.

Some players then gathered to watch the championship game between Texas and Elder Statesmen, who quickly gave lie to the "Statesmen" part of their name by drawing 13 penalties (and probably earning twice that many) during the game. No, really, at one point there were 5 flags and two hats on the freakin' field ... sheesh.

Statesmen take early lead and are up by 1 at the half. Texas storms back with two in a row in the first 5 minutes and capture the eventual win on the strength of 6 goals (on 10 shots) in the second half. Unfortunately, this was a game that featured a lot of talent but absolutely no sportsmanship with 20+ penalties, countless late hits and two ejections. Overall, a great learning experience, reminding me that there is absolutely no way we would ever sacrifice our team ethic for a trophy.

After the game (and associate beers) it was nap time for yours truly. Then, shower, bus to Taproom and kickoff for the closing banquet. Taproom did their normal great job (thanks, Clark) and the banquet was enjoyed by all.

After initial munchies and drinks, we kicked off the program. Hank G. and Buddy G. handled the honors for the festivities while I hid in the men's room. Awards included (and this is not the whole list ... come on, everyone was buying me drinks and it would have been rude to decline........):

• "We saw the light" award for the rookies (many of whom came to us from other teams)
• "Patriotism" award to Debs Mc. for organizing the National Anthem before our games.. Thanks again, Debs!
• The "Something about a camera lens" award (yeah, I know, but I was talking to the waitresses and missed the first part) that went to Debbie B. ........ OK, maybe it was the "Sideline Spirit Award" or the "Hey, my husband made it through a whole game" award??
• "Halftime Entertainment" award that went to Hound , ‘Doc’ (dog really is entertaining and much faster than Ed....)

After that, program moved on to Offensive and Defensive MVP awards along with a variety of other awards. Again, a partial list follows based on my memory and notes from Hank ......

• Offensive MVP, 40+ went to Mike S. Important to note that Mike was a rookie, was recruited to play on the 50+ team but made a big difference on both.
• Offensive MVP, 50+ went to Don B. This was Don's second year as a 'Goat and we are glad to have him!
• Defensive MVP, 40+ went to Dave M. No further comment required.
• Defensive MVP, 50+ went to Greg D. Greg standing next to Hank made an outstanding picture albeit one a bit difficult to frame ......
• Spirit Award, 40+ went to Buddy G (who else??). Buddy served double duty trying to coach the 50+ team ........ cats, meet rodeo .......
• Spirit Award, 50+ went to Ed Mc ...... no, really, we gave the award for the "player who most exhibits the spirit of Navy Lacrosse" to a retired Air Force general ...... going to have to think about that one ............ and get him some new shirts .......

After that, a couple more awards for the guys with the smallest brain pans (or the "remember that pain exists in more places than just your mind no matter what they told you at SERE School" award .........") were given to Rich D. "potato man" (played with some significant calf issues and used a treatment that I had never seen ...) and Jim "I think I'll go sit in the shade with the trainer again". Yup, the 'Goats value toughness and commitment ............ judgement not so much ......... honest, the whole potato thing was worth the trip .......

After the banquet, some of us (not naming names) sort of, uh, dropped by the Red Lion for frosty beverages ..... yeah, I know, not like we needed them but they were there and somebody had to drink 'em. A few more favorite memories came out of that including:

• "So You Think You Can Dance", Jack version
• Mike discovering that it is an Irish Car Bomb, NOT a Depth Charge ...... and that if you drop the shot from altitude bad things will happen (Marines, gotta love 'em...)
• Planning a visit to Tulsa for Mary Beth and Dave so she can drink with Jackie (going to get a video on that one ..... and stay well out of the blast radius)
• Designing the "Always Watch Your Bubbles" version of the Vail 2012 shirt for Morgan Ames (he'll thank me later) with contributions from a host of well intended 'Goats.

OK, that is probably more than enough. In closing, my personal thanks to Hank, Jack, Mike, Buddy, Sean, Paul, Tall Daddy, Timmy, Mayo, Jim, Stevie, Rick, TMac and all the others who contributed so much this year to keep this group moving forward. My special thanks to Joe and my lovely wife Jackie who have provided so much support and guidance to me over the last few years when it comes to Navy Lacrosse and the importance of this job. I would not trade the friendships I have built over the last 21 years for anything.

Thanks, be safe and GO NAVY!

Best regards;

Jim

XO and Old Goat Emeritus