Re: Laker Hockey 2009-10
FOUND THIS TIDBIT FROM THE GLORY DAYS. KINDA HITS HOME ABOUT WHAT SOME ARE WRITING ON THIS FORUM. THE LAST PARAGRAPH IS CLASSIC.
"The Lakers are bigger and stronger than your typical college team, and through the years they have been known for a very physical style of play, especially under former coach Frank Anzalone. Anzalone took the reins at Lake State in 1982 and turned the fledgling Division I program into an NCAA champion in 1987-88. Despite his success, the fiery Anzalone was constantly at odds with the school's athletic department.
That power struggle ended last May when athletic director Jim Fallis failed to renew Anzalone's contract. There was some backlash in the Soo—after all, Anzalone was 191-108-22 at Lake State—but the team's fast start this year eased the tension. Moreover, Jackson is popular with both the players and the community.
Coach Jackson treats us more like adults," says junior defenseman Mark Astley. The soft-spoken Jackson is also more interested in promoting his team than himself. Now, the weekly Laker Hockey Program on radio station WSOO interviews both the coach and the players. "Frank would never have gone for that," Astley says. "It was all him. He'd come right out and tell you that he was the reason we were winning. Maybe it was his way of motivating us."
Jackson has also lightened the team's practice load and allowed his players a more normal life away from the ice. Anzalone says, "I think that's fine. The kids think their new coach is refreshing. That's fine, because they all know the secret. I taught them that the secret is discipline." He goes on to say, "There's an aura surrounding Frank Anzalone. It's the same aura that surrounded Vince Lombardi, the same aura that surrounds Mike Keenan. Sometimes that's more than people can handle."
The rest of the article can be found here. Its a good read.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1118914/1/index.htm
