Washington College Magazine
Coaches Sho 'Em How It's Done
Last year, the number one position in the nation for high school lacrosse was a tie between Boys' Latin and Georgetown Prep. Both teams were led by Washington College graduates—Bob Shriver '73 and Kevin Giblin '85. To become co-champions, they each had to get past The Haverford School, whose team is coached by another former Shoreman, John Nostrant '86.
The 1985 lacrosse team produced several coaches: Kevin Giblin '85 (back row, far left), Steve Beville '87 (next to Giblin), Greg Baker '85, (far right) and Rick Sowell '86 (front row, far left).
In his 32 years at Boys' Latin, Shriver has become one of the most respected (and successful) high school coaches of the game, with two perfect seasons, six conference titles and the 2003 world title to his credit. Giblin has built Georgetown Prep into a national power since becoming the program's first head coach in 1988; his teams finished number one in the nation in 2003 and 2006. Nostrant, a three-time All-American midfielder, has served as the head coach at the Haverford School since 1991, winning more than 225 games along with state championships in 2000 and 2005.
"At one point last season, Boys' Latin, Georgetown Prep and Haverford School were the number one, two and three teams in the country," says Shriver, whose prep school is part of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association, considered the nation's best high school league. In mid-March, Shriver brought his Boys' Latin team to campus to play against fellow "A" Conference competitors Saint Stephen's/Saint Agnes School in Alexandria, VA. Andy Taibl '99, a threetime All-American voted the nation's top Division III goalkeeper in 1997 and the goalie on the 1998 championship team, is the Saints' head coach.
John Nostrant '86
The world of lacrosse is close knit, particularly with so many Washington College players at its core. From St. Albans School in Washington, three former Shoremen—Giblin, Greg Baker '85 and Ricky Sowell '86—launched coaching careers. Baker went on to earn a law degree and now heads up the Federal Election Commission. Following a stint at Georgetown, Sowell took Dartmouth's program from last place to first in the Ivy League during his five years at the helm. After rebuilding the program at St. John's University, he is now in his first season as head coach at Stonybrook University.
Steve Beville '87, a two-time Division III Defenseman of the Year, also coaches at the college level. Under his tutelage, University of Colorado won three league titles and defeated the U.S. Air Force Academy three times. He left the University of Vermont at the end of last season to return to his native New York, where he is coaching a national championship program at SUNY Cortland. When Giblin was inducted into the US Lacrosse Potomac Chapter Hall of Fame in early February, all his friends were there.
For me, what's so special about the game of lacrosse is the connection to Washington College. It's a huge part of who I am.
"There are certain eras in any sport that are really special," says Giblin. A two-time captain who helped the Shoremen reach the NCAA Division III championship game in 1984 and 1985. "At Washington College, we had a little run between 1982 and 1998 where we made several appearances in the NCAA finals and won the national title. We developed a real camaraderie—a connectedness that has transcended distance and time. For the past five years, my family has vacationed with John Nostrant '86 and Tommy Gaines '86. I'm still close with Greg and Steve. I talk to these guys daily, either on the phone or by e-mail. That's kind of cool. Most people I know don't have that. It has something to do with the size of our school, and the close-knit community we built."
Giblin and Nostrant will complete another Washington College circle when they follow Bob Shriver to the International Lacrosse Federation U-19 World Championships as assistant coaches. Shriver was head coach for the 2003 team. The Shoreman pair has been selected as assistant coaches to work with high school elite players this summer during tryouts at UMBC for the 2008 Team USA squad. From a pool of 120 applicants, they will choose 22 players to compete for the world title in British Columbia, July 3-12.
"This is really cool, especially since Gibby and I are doing this together," says Nostrant, who is now in his 16th year as head coach, his tenth as Athletic Director at The Haverford School. His team finished among the top ten in the country last year. "For me, what's so special about the game of lacrosse is the connection to Washington College. It's a huge part of who I am." Like their former coach, he and Giblin demand a lot of their players. "We tell them they have to work hard to achieve their goals. In that way, lacrosse translates into everyday life."
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782