This year's squad is headed by Bob Thibodeau and co-captains John Fatti and Don Trabert. Entering its 11th year as a club sport at Notre Dame, the team consists of 50 lacrosse enthusiasts, divided into two flights. Mr. Rich O'Leary, a former player at Cortland State, and Major Sandy Cochran, a professor in the military science department, handle the coaching duties for the Irish stickmen. The Irish, who came off a winning season last year, have an air of cautious optimism concerning the current season. “We have a lot of new players this year, and we haven't quite jelled as a unit yet,” commented junior midfielder Jay Williams. Not only has the club lost of number of starters to graduation, but they must face a majority of older amateur clubs or college teams with varsity status and funds to match.
1976
President: Bob Thibodeau Captains: John Fatti, Don Trabert
1976 Roster
1976 Record
Recollections of 1976
Photos from 1976
Recognition:
Most Improved Player - Mike Kinsella
Nappy Award - Thad Naquin
Jack Tate Award - Bob Thibodeau
Individual Scoring
Name Goals Assists Points
Bob Thibodeau 25 22 47
Pat Clynes 14 6 20
Don Trabert 18 2 20
Jay Williams 11 2 13
Mike Kinsella 7 4 11
Jim Rice 6 2 8
Tom Bingle 3 4 7
Geoff Johnson 2 5 7
Mark Flanagan 5 1 6
JP Marchand 2 2 4
John Romanelli 3 1 4
Thad Naquin 2 1 3
Tom Capotosto 1 1 2
Bob Driscoll 2 . 2
Mark Connelly 1 . 1
John Gray 1 . 1
Tim Walsh 1 . 1
Finesse with a Stick
One factor in the Irish's favor is their spirit, perhaps best exemplified by their sophomore female manager, J.P. Kane. As a veteran of the sport since grade school, she now assists the ND squad by timing home games and recording team statistics, as well as diligently attending practices and working out with the squad. “Lacrosse requires a great deal more finesse than a lot of people think,” she explains. Sophomore goalie Jim Scarola agrees, “There's a tendency to think that it's a rough, barbaric sport because everybody wields a stick. Actually, it's a game requiring precise cross handling and maneuvering.”
Although many players leave the game sporting a few black and blue marks, lacrosse is still comparatively injury-free. “Usually the worst that happens is that a player will get the wind knocked out of him,” said attackman Bob Thibodeau. Granted, it is one of the most exciting sports on campus, and anyone who has observed the stickmen in action will readily attest that it is a breathtaking game to behold.