Good Day and thank you for dropping by our site!

The recruiting season is in full swing for all NCAA and MCLA coaches.  This is a very huge part of the “job” for every coach across America.  I just never thought I would see the day when I would actually be “recruiting” from an in-state feeder program like the one Texas has developed.  Back in the 80′s the question was “Do you want to hit someone as hard as you do in football but with less padding and a stick?”  Today, it’s “How many years have you been playing?  What were your stats on Varsity?  How are your grades?  Why do you want to attend college?”  The talent through out the state, in all divisions, is fantastic!

To help in the recruiting process, I am both excited and very proud to announce the formation of the “Sam Houston Men’s Lacrosse Scholarship” fund!  This is due to the generous donations of our alumni!  With this we can now go after some of the best talent in the state… and in the country!  As with any financial program the competition for these funds is very competitive.  I am dedicated to bringing quick change to the program and with that comes a change in talent.  My original goal of returning to Division I of the MCLA was 2012.  From what I am seeing talent wise in Texas and outside of the state, we may return a year ahead of time in 2011!

For those recruits out there, your parents or coaches, please contact me directly through the “Recruit” tab with any questions.  My goal is to help you, the STUDENT/Athlete, acheive education success as well as athletic.

Yours in lacrosse,

Coach Fritts

June 10, 2010 (Huntsville, Texas)

Everett Scott “Scotty” Adley was your typical 11 year old boy who loved playing outside.  From skateboarding, football, basketball to lacrosse, he loved it all.  Over the Memorial Day weekend, Scotty was involved in a boating accident and unfortunately did not survive.  After hearing about this from Brian DeSpain (president, 1Lacrosse), Coach Fritts joined the Face Book group “Play For Scotty.”  Sam Houston has a great connection to the Kingwood lacrosse program with Wil Nielsen, Sam Lockett and Nick Williams playing for the Bearkats.  Coach posted his condolences for the family on the group site.

The post he received back from Scott’s father (Scott Aderly) just broke his heart.  It said “Funny you should post. Scotty and I were talking about the possibility of playing lacrosse in college and he said he just didn’t think he could go all the way to the east coast (which of course would change) to play. He said he wanted to play at SHSU because it was close and I could see all the games and that he loved the mascot and colors better than any of the eastern teams too!”

“This just put me over the edge” said Coach Fritts.  “This father just lost a child and then I find out the boy wanted to come to Sam.  I had to do something for this family… for this boy.”  What did Coach do?  With in 24 hours he had paperwork from the Office of Advancement at Sam Houston State creating the “Scotty Adley Memorial Lacrosse Scholarship.” This will be administered by the school with all the regular criteria for a lacrosse scholarship but with one added condition… the recipient player must come from Kingwood, Texas.

The paperwork was signed by Fritts on June 10th and the scholarship will become official when school president, James Gaertner, completes the final signature line.

“His (Scotty’s) story, his love of life… for the sport of lacrosse, just touched me so deeply.  11 years old and he wanted to come play at Sam Houston so his family could see him play along with liking our mascot and school colors… it just ripped me a part.  Can’t repeat it enough, I just had to do something for this boy… for his family” said Fritts.

So the next time you’re tied 12-12 with 30 seconds left to go… and you don’t feel you have the energy left for one more goal… think about Scotty… and “Play For Scotty!”

Donations are also being accepted at Christian School of Kingwood, where Scotty was a student.

Here’s how the lacrosse community can help…

Scotty’s family is asking that donations be made in Scotty’s name to the following:

Christian School of Kingwood (CSK) – Scholarship Fund in the Name of Scotty Adley:
2901 Woodlands Hill Dr.
Kingwood, TX 77339
Attn: Linda Copeland

Winning your conference is a great experience.  Going on to the national playoffs and representing Sam Houston is even better.

But what really tops off the season is when players are recognized on the national level.  Zach Fry (Midfield) and Greg Kremen (Defense) were both named 3rd Team All American while John Messer (Defense) place on the Honorable Mention.  Last year the team had just one on the All American list.  The exposure in Denver at the nationals solidified the spots for these three.  “Without Denver and these guys being seen by the other coaches on the Selection Committee, I wouldn’t have had much to negotiate with during the selection process” said Coach Fritts.    Fritts is on the Selection Committee and elaborated on the process.  “It (process) was great to be a part of.  We all get a list of the nominees which came from all ten conferences around the country.  If the nominee is there at nationals, each of us has a responsibility to scout him and see what he has.  The Friday night before the championship game, we are on a two hour conference call voicing our opinions.  It was a very respectful process and at times quite ‘open’ as far as opinions go. ”

The Academic All American is to Fritts the “Cream” of the Student/Athletes.  “This is what we’re here for… an education first and if you can excel in the class room and on the field… my hat is off to all those who achieved this honor.”  To qualify for the Academic All American honor, you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and have been selected to your Conference’s 1st or 2nd team.  Doing just that are Zach Fry, John Messer, Donny Meyer and Nick Williams.  Worth noting is Brendan Gawronski missed this honor by .01!  “That’s how picky they are!  They wouldn’t even round up .01 for Brendan.  I’m sure he’ll get it next year!  Either way, I’m very proud of all the young men here who have achieved national recognition.”

St Thomas – 22  Sam Houston – 3

It’s very humbling when you lose a game (22-3) by the score you beat your divisional opponents by.  It’s a little easier to swallow when it’s the #1 ranked team and two-time National Champions the “Tommies” from St. Thomas University.  “Wow!” Said Coach Fritts!  “Very impressive ball club and absolutely eye-opening for the entire team.  It (22-3 loss) is exactly what the doctor ordered for us!  We have a much better idea of what and where we need to train for next season to compete better at the national level.”

Scoring the three goals for Sam Houston were Wil Nielsen (unassisted); Nick Williams assisted by Zach Fry and Alex Badour (unassisted).

Sam Houston – 11  Missouri State – 9

In the consolation game, Sam Houston played much better!  Donny Meyer and Austin Atwood dominated face offs going 14/16 and 5/6 respectively.

But the big story was Freshman Attackman Brendan Gawronski who netted 6 goals and assisted on one other.  “Brendan just kept finding the soft spots in their defense and as much as he found them, his teammates found Brendan as all 6 goals had an assist tied to them! His hands were quick and ‘soft’ this game.  Every pass that came in contact with him, he finished it.”  In fact, only one goal that game (Badour) was unassisted.  “When 50% of your goals are tied to an assist, you feel good about a TEAM effort.  When 10 goals out of 11 have an assist… you just shake your head in total bewilderment.  THAT is total TEAM ball” said Fritts.

Besides Gawronski, other scorers on the day were Wil Nielsen (2g/3a); Logan Holmes (1g/1a); Zach Fry (1g/2a); Alex Badour (1g/1a) and Nick Williams (1a).

The KATS are done for the year!  Overall record is 11-3 and we’ll sit and wait for the year end polls to come out and see where the Kats end up.

2008: 0-8 record

2009: 6-5 and a Conference Championship appearance

2010: 11-3; Undefeated Conference Champions and 1-1 at the nationals in Denver, Colorado