Bryn Athyn College Alumni Magazine Spring/Summer 2017 | Page 30

running header What are your goals? ➠ Well, an overarch- ing theme is always to work towards our as- pirations as a group. When you’re on a team, you’re part of an extended family that cares about each other and works to- gether toward some- thing. So we’re always working on cultivat- ing our work ethic and becoming better at what we do. Having said that, my job as head coach is to win lacrosse games. I’m very competitive, and I don’t like to lose. I work to put the team in a posi- tion to win and do well, not just to coast by and have fun. It’s my responsibility as a coach to take the program to new heights and compete with anyone at the Division III level. When you are recruiting, what do you look for in a player? ➠ Three big things are willingness to work, coachability, and character. I definitely want to get to know the person, not just see them play or watch their highlight tapes. I have to get a sense that they’re going to work hard, be a good team- mate, and fit the culture and standards for the College and lacrosse program. There are a lot of ways to train a team, and college athletes often say that their coach was a key factor affecting whether they had a good or bad experi- ence. What’s your coaching style? ➠ You can’t really roll out a blueprint for coach- ing. My style is definitely influenced by my past coaches, from whom I’ve gotten some really good advice. In the end it really comes down to just be- ing myself. I coach the way I am; otherwise it’s not authentic. I try to run the program the way I think it should be run, and I don’t try to “be” a certain way. When you’re not playing for the Launch or coaching at BAC, what do you do for fun? ➠ I love spending time with my family. I have a lot of good friends in the area and five nephews. 30 | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 I’m an outdoorsy person. I like anything active where I’m on the move, on my feet. It sounds really simple I guess, but those are the things I think are fun. How do you stay grounded, when you’ve already ex- perienced so much success so early in your life? ➠ I think it’s just a mentality I was raised with; my parents taught me the importance of hard work and humility. I still have more to prove as a person, player, and coach. There are always ar- eas for improvement. I also know that you learn more from your failures than you do when things are easy. I try to embrace those learning oppor- tunities, and that definitely keeps me grounded. What motivates you? ➠ I want to be a good person and to help other people. Right now I’m in a good position to do that, coaching at BAC. I like feeling useful and productive. I am also highly competitive. That’s a constant part of my life, whether it’s in lacrosse or otherwise. Tucker plays in his fifth season with the MLL in 2017. His involvement with BAC athletics contin- ues to benefit the school, the men’s lacrosse pro- gram, and most of all the students. BAC’s athletic director, Matt Kennedy, says, “I admire Tucker’s commitment to the educational value of his sport and how various lessons on and off the field trans- late into real life. There are very few coaches in the world that truly want to play a role in the forma- tion of young adults.” Spending just an hour with Tucker for the inter- view was enough to sense his contagious positiv- ity and dedication. His personal work ethic and authentic approach to coaching will no doubt render substantial success in students’ lives long after they put away their uniforms. An inspiring role model and colleague, the College is proud to have Tucker on its team. “Let’s go to work!” 