FROM THE SIDELINE

Three Brs Coaches Reflect On Their Profession

It’s no surprise that athletics is a big part of student life at an all-boys boarding school. Sports are an excellent way for boys to use their almost limitless energy. Rivalries build school spirit. And boys compete in nearly every aspect of their lives. In addition, athletics provide educators the opportunity to teach lessons in teamwork, perseverance, practice, trust, responsibility, and much more. Unlike some academic classes and character education programs, where it may take months or even years for students to see the value in their work, athletics allow boys to see results from their efforts more quickly. Coaches can point out a necessary adjustment during halftime that may result in winning the game. Effective coaches can reinforce the lessons of a broad educational program in a way that resonates with boys, making their role particularly important at Blue Ridge School.

Every student is required to participate in an afternoon activity at Blue Ridge School. Most of these activities are sports, though they also include drama, outdoor programs, outdoorsmen, art, and others. Blue Ridge School alumni are quick to name coaches from decades past who had a significant effect on them and the community. This year, we have accomplished and respected coaches leading our three marquee sports programs: basketball, lacrosse, and football. These three coaches have distinguished themselves in different ways, have different talents, and use different styles, but they all share the common goal of teaching their players to be more than just good athletes. Yes, they love their sport and they love sharing their sport with boys. But those sports are metaphors for life and how to succeed as a person as well as a player.

Baron varsity basketball has a locker room curriculum before practice that encourages thoughtful discussion. For example, during the 2021-22 season, the team tackled the question “What does it mean to be a man?”

Lemcke likes to include non-basketball related activities when the team leaves campus for away games. Last season the players met Blue Ridge alumnus Tristan Wright ’95, founder of Lost Boy Cider, and they talked about the challenges and rewards of running a small business. Also, under Lemcke’s leadership, the senior members of the varsity basketball team are expected to participate in the School’s annual winter musical.

Varsity Basketball

Cade Lemcke has been the Head Basketball Coach since 2014. Previously he was an assistant coach at Longwood University. He’s a graduate of the University of Virginia and played basketball for the Cavaliers under Coach Peter Gillian.

“Coach Cade” as he’s known around campus believes in the coaching philosophy made famous by Joe Ehrmann, that it should be “transformational not transactional.”He seeks to build relataionships with his players that extend beyond the buzzer of a single game and positively influence young men for years to come.

He believes that basketball is simply a tool to teach boys to be great men.

Lemcke regularly fields phone calls and text messages with former players, including Aamir Simms ’17 of Paris Basketball and Mamadi Diakite ’15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He advises former players on college decisions and life choices, too.

Many fans gauge a coach’s success by wins and losses but Lemcke says “We don’t know if we’re successful until five to ten years later.”

Varsity Lacrosse

No one ever expected Dom Starsia to coach at Blue Ridge School. After decades as a successful coach at the highest levels of college lacrosse, the Hall of Famer was enjoying retirement in Albemarle County. He is the former head men’s lacrosse coach of both Brown University, his alma mater, and the University of Virginia where his teams won four NCAA national championships. It is no stretch to say that Starsia, who was inducted into the lacrosse piece of it is going to take care of itself.”

USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2008, is a legend in the sport.

Despite his legendary status, he chose to leave retirement and take on the challenge of coaching high school lacrosse at Blue Ridge School. Naturally coaching high school students is different from coaching Division I college athletes. “I learned that I had to slow down and not take things for granted.” That includes teaching players aspects of the game that they might not know.

As much as it means to the boys to be coached by a legend of the sport, Starsia also appreciates the opportunity to be a part of their lives. The days spent on fundamentals during the off season, preparing for games, and grinding out practice on the hot turf creates a bond among the coaches and players. “You get invested in the kids’ lives. You can’t help but wonder what will come next for them. I try to prepare them for all aspects of life through what we do here.”

Football

Clint Alexander may be the “new kid on the block,” but he is no stranger to high school football, not even football at an all-boys boarding school. He coached for 25 years at Woodberry Forest and shepherded many players to college and professional football. Fall 2022 was his first season as football head coach and he is thrilled to build the program with great players who are also leaders off the field.

playing football as well as being part of a culture that values the three pillars of his program: unselfishness, discipline, and leadership.

“I believe player development is critical. This is why I built a staff of ten kidcentered coaches and asked them to put the welfare of our players ahead of winning. Winning will become the result of the love and time our staff puts into our team. We teach and encourage each other, and with this trust meaningful

What’s great about Blue Ridge? “You can almost see these guys improve right before your eyes. At a place like Blue Ridge, boys this age need a little mentorship and so you feel like you’re actually doing some good and watching these guys mature as athletes but equally importantly off the field has been very satisfying … and caught me by surprise actually. After 42 years as a college coach, I’m used to a crowd that’s a little bit older and these guys are in the prime part of their lives when they’re getting ready to develop as young men.”

Dom has a list of non-negotiables: tell the truth and never retaliate. “I try to convince young men to develop the qualities that will make them good leaders. If I can get them to demonstrate the characteristics of toughness, selflessness, and resiliency, the qualities that I would say define good leaders, the

“I’m going to go out and recruit guys who are great young men and want to play football. They need to be a great person, a great student, and a great fit on our campus. They have to know when they come in here that they are part of something bigger than they are. I want you to be great in the dorms. I want you to be great in the hallways and in class.”

Coach Alexander believes the game extends well beyond the clock. He leads strength and conditioning during the winter that will provide his players - as well as players from other sports - with a foundation to help prevent injury and grow toughness and speed. He teaches the boys proper lifting and has created many different workouts for a variety of goals. “I don’t care if you get your scholarship in football or lacrosse. You are prepared for college. You know how to lift. You know how to practice. You know how to be a leader.”

Finding the right players for his team also means finding students for Blue Ridge School, students who are excited about relationships are established that will last long after our time together ends.”

Knowing that Blue Ridge is a small school, Alexander is looking for as many multi-sport athletes as he can find. Not only does it benefit more programs, but it also keeps students engaged. As students move through the school year, they progress from one supportive and excited team to the next, giving boys access to community and mentorship.

Alexander is off to a great start, putting together a competitive team with talented student-athletes. And he’s just getting started. “Our focus was on character and boys who would make an impact on our campus in every facet, not just athletics. We found outstanding young men from all over the world. We created a team that grew to love each other.”