Maine Maritime Academy Adding Lacrosse

CASTINE, Maine-Maine Maritime Academy Director of Athletics Steve Peed has announced department restructuring for 2013-2014. The restructuring is a result of a comprehensive review of the Athletics Department conducted since Mr. Peed’s tenure began in 2012. The primary changes that will take effect beginning this fall include the discontinuation of the college’s softball program after the 2013-2014 season, renovation of existing facilities, and the addition of new staff and women’s lacrosse.

“The changes reflect a department-wide goal to offer the best student-athlete experience possible in each athletic program the Academy offers,” said Mr. Peed. “Our focus is modernizing, while delivering quality services and acting with fiduciary responsibility.”

The lack of a softball field on campus was a central obstacle to delivering a quality softball program. Moving forward, the Athletics Department will offer co-ed intramural softball in the 2014-2015 academic year and work with athletes interested in forming a club softball program. Because club and intramurals do not have strict field requirements, those programs can be conducted on the grass practice field without disruption to other campus programs.

The 2013-2014 Mariners Softball players were notified in person at the start of classes so that the team could plan in advance for their final season. Coach Tricia Carver-Watson, newly appointed as Women’s Volleyball and Softball Coach, intends to honor the women who have played for MMA, along with their coaches, throughout the season, and to finish strong. “Our players deserve that. We will make use of every resource we have for a successful year, and to work toward closure,” said Coach Carver-Watson. She will continue on as Head Volleyball Coach in 2014-2015, and will pick up responsibilities as the Department’s Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator.

In 2014-2015, MMA Athletics will launch a women’s lacrosse team, which is a natural fit for the existing facilities on campus. The new team will provide additional opportunities for women to compete in athletics; a women’s lacrosse roster typically carries 20 or more athletes. Interested players will form a club lacrosse team for the 2013-2014 year and Maine Maritime will conduct a search for a head lacrosse coach this fall. The new coach will be on board at the start of the second semester of the 2013-2014 academic year, providing ample opportunity to recruit additional athletes to the existing players already on campus. The women’s lacrosse team will begin NCAA play during the 2014-2015 academic year.

Other changes resulting from the Athletic Department restructuring include the following, many of which are underway or complete:

• an overhaul of the cardio fitness and weight rooms, including a new floor and new equipment

• splitting of the Men’s and Women’s Head Soccer coach into two positions, bringing in Seth Brown (class of ’98) as Women’s Soccer Coach and Coordinator of Student-Athlete Affairs

• the addition of a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Ryan Paquette

• renovations of the women’s locker rooms occurring in the fall of 2013

The mission of Maine Maritime Academy Athletics is to provide an abundance of opportunities for student-athletes to learn the myriad life lessons available through participation in intercollegiate athletics in a humane environment, and to assist in the growth and development of the student-athlete as a well-rounded individual.

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