Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Stewart balances family and team

By C.j. Rhodes

cnrhodes@vwc.edu

The 2008 season was one to remember for Head Coach J.P. Stewart and the men s lacrosse team.

The Marlins tallied 11 victories for the first time in program history, along with a program record of 4-2 in the ODAC and a Runner-Up finish in the tournament. Coach Stewart was awarded 2008 Virginia Coach of the Year for Men s Lacrosse as well as ODAC Coach of the Year.

What most people don t know is that Coach Stewart has achieved all these accolades along with having a family. As he has watched his team grow and improve the last couple years, he has also watched his girls grow up. His family consists of his wife Jennifer and his three daughters, Jane (3), Jill (1) and newborn Julia.

As a Head Coach, the competitive side is what stands out, but Coach Stewart speaks strongly about what his family means to him and the message he tries to send to his players.

 Family first, said Coach Stewart.  I preach that to our players, and I truly believe that family is the most important thing in life.

His players understand that Coach Stewart will help them in any way possible to be successful on and off the field. But in the end, it is family first and lacrosse second.

The beginning of the 2009 season has brought some unexpected events that have kept Coach Stewart to his word. On January 22nd, he and his wife were blessed with the birth of their newborn daughter, Julia. But what they didn t expect is that his wife ended up breaking her foot and being in a cast during that time. Along with trying to get her healthy and him getting ready for the season, Coach Stewart had to adjust his schedule and do a lot more work at home because he was taking care of his wife and the girls.

 We know that he has a responsibility to be a great father as well as being a great coach, said men s lacrosse captain, John Paul Novak.  Whatever the situation is at the home front, we are behind coach 100 percent with whatever he chooses to do.

 The time I spent at home while my wife was recovering was a blessing in disguise said Stewart.  To be able to spend so much time around Jennifer and the girls was definitely worth it.

With Stewart having to change how he handles things on the field because of his situation at home, more responsibility was placed on assistant coach Luke Reilly. This was a decision that Coach Stewart was very comfortable with because of how well prepared Coach Reilly is.

 Luke Reilly has helped a lot with my current situation and has done a great job for us, said Stewart.  He s going to be a very good head coach one day soon.

Once the season really kicks into gear and they begin to play games, Coach Stewart knows that he has to be more efficient with managing his time so that he can spend more time with his girls.

 I make sure I m around in the morning with my girls, and the same at night, said Stewart.  To do this I do leave the house a little later in the morning and get home a little earlier in the evening. In return I ll do a lot of work late at night after my daughters are asleep.

No matter what complications that Coach Stewart runs into at home, he is still prepared and ready for the 2009 season. Stewart believes that life is all about priorities and making the proper adjustments so that one can be successful with those priorities. The decisions that he makes off the field will reflect the decisions that he makes on the field. And when Coach Stewart wakes up every morning, he focuses on four goals.

 I want to be the best husband I can be, I want to be the best father I can be, I want to be the best person I can be.