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Coach lewis celebrates 100th win
BY THOMAS DEANE
Staff Writer
Head Women's Soccer Coach Eric
Lewis will always remember Sept. 22 as
the date when he became the first coach
at Guilford College to achieve 100 career
victories, following a 6-0 win over Eastern
Mennonite University.
In his 11th year, Lewis became the
winningest head coach as weU as the
longest tenured women's soccer coach.
Achieving the 100-win mark bolsters
what has already been a highly illustrious
career.
, Lewis started his coaching career
as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb
University before a brief stint as an
assistant coach for the Guilford's men's
soccer team. Following his time at
Guilford, Lewis moved on to Louisburg
College in Louisburg, N.C., where he
racked up more than 30 wins as head
coach of the women's soccer team. Lewis
then applied to be the head coach for the
women's team at Guilford, under the
impression that it was a one-year job.
'They needed someone to come in as a
temporary thing," said Lewis. "And here I
am, 11 years later."
Coach Lewis attributes a lot of his
success to two main things; time and
recruiting.
'The secret (to) success is time," said
Lewis. "Have good recruiting classes
every year to make sure you have a full
team."
Indeed, being a good recruiter can
be a huge weapon in a coach's arsenal.
A necessity of every successful coach is
being able to bring in players that can win.
"He is a very good recruiter," said
Women's soccer head coach Eric Lewis
attributes wins to time and recruiting.
sophomore soccer player Hannah Schiltz.
"He's recruited girls from all over—^very
good, smart-playing girls."
Once these talented players are brought
in, Lewis likes to instill his own brand of
soccer, which may not always be the same
from year to year.
"I've always wanted to play high-
pressure (soccer)," said Lewis. "But the
styles can change each year, sometimes
within the year, too."
Lewis' coaching style also preaches
a dedication to the task that is being
completed at the moment. He feels that
the players that are able to accomplish
tasks both on and off the field are usually
the most successful.
"Jay Bilas (leadership forum speaker)
came in last week and said it perfectly,
'Whatever you are doing in the moment,
that's the most important thing,"' said
Lewis. 'The kids that do things right in
the classroom tend to do it right out on the
field."
Lewis' players are also very proud of
their highly accomplished coach. Junior
soccer player Caroline Bishop saw this
win as a momentous milestone.
"It is a great accomplishment and it's a
target point for any coach," said Bishop.
"(It is) a very successful achievement."
Lewis also has a great affinity with his
players. While on the field, Lewis strives
to get the best out of them.
"He's very direct," said Schiltz. "He's
not afraid to tell you what you are doing
right or wrong. He wants you to know
what you can do better."
Coach Lewis' 100th win really speaks
volumes about his coaching methods.
There is a lot to be excited about moving
forward with the team. 100 wins is
nothing to scoff at, so congrats Coach
Lewis. You've earned it.
Athletic Leadership Program lifts off at Guilford College
BY COLLEEN GONZALEZ
Sports Editor
On Sept. 23, student-athletes of Guilford College were ushered
into the Ragan Brown Field House for the first speaker of the
newly established leadership forum.
This program is based on the current Bryan Series, but is
aimed more towards students than the entire Greensboro
community.
It was proposed by Guilford alum, athletics hall of famer, and
former basketball coach Dave Odum '65.
His plan is to give encouragement to student-athletes through
speakers who not only have ties to athletics, but who will also
take the time to talk to the students and visit the college.
Kicking off the event was guest speaker Jay Bilas, ESPN
broadcaster and college basketball analyst.
During his speech Bilas mentioned three key ideas athletes
should keep in mind that apply to competing on the field as well
as when they graduate and obtain jobs.
These ideas involve concentration, preparation and being a
good team member.
Bilas emphasized that athletes should treat each competition
and practice as if it were the championship game and when it is
time to work, the game should be the only thing in the athlete's
mind.
He also encouraged athletes to try to get something out of
their practice instead of just working to get through it.
Finally, Bilas mentioned how athletes, whether the best or not,
should play some sort of role on the team and exhibit integrity
in every competition.
Athletes rely on teammates during games and a victory comes
easier Tvhen every player has a role and works together.
Coaches, athletes and administrators have taken Bilas' speech
to heart and have been working to apply his methods to their
own situations, whether in the classroom or working on that
new play at practice.
Bilas' appearance garnered praise from those who attended,
which gets the forum off to an excellent start.
The next presenter, comedian Jeanne Swanner Robertson, will
speak on Nov. 4.
Thoughts and
Impressions:
"I was surprised how humorous he was
and what I got most out of it was as a
role player on the team. I've never been
a star, ever, and him putting it into terms
really inspired me for the last 30 days of
football because I'm a senior and about |
to graduate. It made things real for me." |
Senior football player Thor Pate
'The thing I liked the most was about not ^
just getting through a workout, but getting
something from the workout. I think that was
very applicabletooursituationhere... I'veseen
athletes trying to just get through a workout
and I would much rather they work hard
and get something out of practice or a meet."
Head Men and Women's Cross Country
Coach Danny Cash
'I liked his method on concentration. I
think the value in it is if you can get student
and athletes ... when their concentration
when they get there is on that event and
not on something else and when they
come to class their concentration is on
class. You show folks you can concentrate
on those areas when you get there."
Assistant Professor & Coordinator of Sports
Medicine Craig Eilbacher
SPORTS
What's Going On
!^^in Guilford Sport.
[LAST WEEK^S GAMES AND MATCHESj
Soccer
Men's Soccer:
Sept. 25: vs Roanoke [L 2-1]
Sept. 29: vs Shenandoah [W
7-0]
Women's Soccer:
Sept. 26: vs Lynchburg [L 5-0]
Sept. 29: vs Randolph-Macon
[L 1-0]
Football
Sept. 29: vs Washington and
Lee [L 42-21]
Volleyball
Sept. 26: vs Lynchburg [L 3-0]
Sept. 28: vs Salem [W 3-0]
Rugby
Men's Rubgv:
Sept. 22: vs. UNC Charlotte [W
12 -10]
[upcoming games and matches
Soccer
Men's Soccer:
Oct. 7 @ Bridgewater
Oct. 10 @ Randolph
Women's Soccer:
Oct. 6 @ Virginia Wesleyan
Oct. 10 vs Randolph
Football
Oct. 6 @ Shenandoah
Oct. 11 vs Bridgewater
Volleyball
Oct. 6 @ Salem College
Oct. 10 @ Roanoke
Cross Country
Oct. 6 @ Hagan Stone Park,
Greensboro
Rugby
Men's Rugby:
Oct. 27: vs. Fort Bragg
(O) SIGNIFIES AN AWAY GAME
VS. SIGNIFIES A HOME GAME