Seven Question With Le Moyne Head Lacrosse Coach Casey Powell
When the men’s lacrosse team faces off in its first game this spring, it will do so under the direction of Casey Powell. Only the fifth head coach in program history, Powell is widely celebrated throughout the world of lacrosse – as a four-time All American at Syracuse University, in 18 years of professional play with Major League Lacrosse, and as a captain of the silver-medal winning U.S. team at the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship, the bronze medal-winning U.S. team at the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship, and assistant captain for the bronze medal-winning U.S. team at the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. We asked Powell, who wore the number 22 for much of his career, about his hopes for the team’s future, how he will define a successful first season leading the Dolphins, and what the sport he loves has taught him about himself.
What is something that lacrosse has taught you about yourself?
Lacrosse has taught me how to win – and how to lose. It’s also taught me that the more you put into something, the more you get out of it.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received – and try to live by – is something my lacrosse coach at Syracuse University (Roy Simmons Jr.) pressed upon us. It’s a Bible verse, Psalm 118:24: “Today is the day the Lord giveth, rejoice and be glad in it.” Coach Simmons guided us that it’s not about yesterday because that already happened and it’s not about tomorrow because that hasn’t happened yet. It’s all about today, so make the most of right now and go make it your day.
What is something that others might not know or be surprised to learn about you?
I have a big family – two sisters and four brothers. We were raised in West Carthage, New York, 90 miles north of Syracuse. My grandfather, my father and my father’s brothers all worked in the paper mills along the Black River.
If you were not coaching Division I lacrosse, what would you be doing?
I love business and have founded several companies within the lacrosse industry. Alongside my coaching responsibilities, I serve as an ambassador for Powell Lacrosse, SPEED Lacrosse, CP22 Lacrosse, TwentyTwo Lacrosse and my own foundation, the Casey Powell Lacrosse Foundation, which supports injured and ill lacrosse families. I also work on a health initiative with a sports nutritional company called the FEED.
Which skill or ability do you hope to help your players cultivate off of the field?
To serve. Serve their school, their teammates, their community.
How would you define a successful first season at the helm of the men’s lacrosse team?
Giving it all we got. That’s success.
How would you finish this thought? What I am most looking forward to in my time at Le Moyne is …
I am most looking forward to serving this school, community and team, and building lifelong friendships.
