Speeding down the field, eyes on the goal, Craig Hammond holds back and takes a well-aimed shot at the Rutgers goalie, who is unprepared for what is to come. The ball whizzes by him and the celebration begins. The first goal of his college career deserved a little commemoration. Now, Hammond will be watching from the sidelines as his players play the game he is passionate for.

Hammond has been hired as Middletown High School’s new head coach of the JV lacrosse team. He will be replacing the esteemed Roger Jackson who had been the head coach for the past three seasons. Jackson will now act as the defensive coordinator for varsity.

Hammond played his college ball at Syracuse University and Hobart College. His lacrosse journey began at age fourteen when he moved to Carroll High School located in Washington DC. The school did not offer a lacrosse program at this time. The next year, the school officially recognized lacrosse as a school sport. During his three seasons at Carroll, Hammond scored 210 goals and acquired 50 assists which gained the attention of Hobart College, eventually offering him a scholarship.

After playing a single season for Hobart, Hammond transferred to Syracuse University. Now swapping his orange and blue Hobart jersey for a white and orange Syracuse jersey, he will embark on his journey with the Orange.

At Syracuse, Hammond was a reserve midfielder for the Orange for three seasons. In 32 appearances, Hammond had one goal and fifteen ground balls. He graduated in 2007 and received a degree in policy studies.

After Syracuse, he spent some time with the Major League Lacrosse team, the Boston Cannons. Soon after, Hammond decided to give coaching a try.

       Hammond’s first coaching position is expected to be a successful one.

“I think he will do just fine” said junior attackman Zach Glagola. “He has a lot of playing experience which usually carries over well to coaching.” Being successful as a player does help when coaching. It means that he knows what it takes to improve and become a better player.

Varsity head coach Todd Hawkins said, “I think he will be amazing. We will have the best JV coaching staff in the county.”

The JV coaching staff will definitely be one of the most accomplished in Frederick County. Not many JV teams have an Orangeman midfielder as a head coach.

Coach Hammond has many expectations for the JV team this year. Not only will he be preparing the players for the varsity level, but he will bring excitement and experience to the program.

Sophomore defenseman Tyler Lyons said, “Coach Hammond will bring a new and energizing spirit to the team.”

Lyons fellow players seem to think so, as well. When asked what the record would be, out of ten games, the players responded with an average record of nine wins and only one loss. Hawkins replied, “Ask me in May.”

To get to this point will require some work by Coach Hammond and the players. “The JV team needs to work on practice ethics and take practice more seriously” said junior goalie Simon Kinderknecht.

JV lacrosse practices were usually viewed by the players as laid back and not too physically demanding. This will most likely change with Coach Hammond at the helm. He plans to work hard in practice and win games.

This upcoming lacrosse season will be full of new experiences and challenges for Coach Hammond, but players confident that he will do his best and lead the JV team into a successful season.