Nat St. Laurent’s voice broke the cold Sunday morning air at Dial-Roberson Stadium. High school prospects took warm up laps around the field and St. Laurent paced the sideline with a wry, energetic smile.
“You could be playing Call of Duty right now, hanging out with your friends. Instead you’re out here getting better,” St. Laurent shouted. “Don’t cut corners!”
St. Laurent is ONU’s first lacrosse coach, and he hosted a prospect clinic on Sunday morning. 75 high school prospects from Ohio, Michigan, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas attended.
“The purpose of the clinic was to get guys here on campus and to get them here on our field and playing in our facilities,” St. Laurent said.
“We have a good core of kids who have already committed, and I wanted them to be around some of the other guys who are trying to make a decision.”
St. Laurent is recruiting this year’s high school seniors to be on ONU’s first lacrosse team in the spring of 2016. He says that fifteen prospects have already committed. ONU has had nearly 70 prospects visit campus, not including the 75 that were there Sunday.
St. Laurent served four years as an offensive coordinator at national powerhouse Washington and Lee (VA) before taking over at Ohio Northern. He also coached at Ferrum (VA) and the Virginia Military Institute.
What makes St. Laurent unique is his energetic approach. At 35 years old, he is experienced but also lively; and above everything, he is looking forward to 2016’s inaugural season.
“The day that I stop bringing the energy is the day that I stop coaching,” St. Laurent said. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world, too.”