I met Tony Seaman when I was 16 or 17 years old. He recruited me when he was at Penn, although I think it was really a favor he was doing for my uncle. Penn was a top-ten program under Tony and I didn’t really have the grades to go there. But his letter to me showing interest gave me a confidence boost at a time when I needed it. I carried it in my wallet for a couple years as a reminder that anything was possible.

When I visited the school, it was obvious why he got so many great players. He was loved by his team. He was funny and kind and told jokes around the office, where the players liked to hang out. That’s always a sign of a good coach -- if the players hang out in his office.

But that’s not my only impression of Tony. I’ve seen him marketing the team to alumni at Towson and doing the behind-the-scenes hard work that comes with coaching at the Division I level. I’ve had heart-to-heart discussions with him about recruiting. I’ve been around long enough to have witnessed his departure from Hopkins and his rebirth at Towson. He’s a quality person with great perspective. He’s honest in interviews and outspoken when he needs to be. He loves his players and Towson University.

He’s been married for 29 years to his wife Guri and they have two children. Their son, Gregory, is a senior lacrosse player and a captain at Princeton. Their daughter, Barbara, is a junior lacrosse player at Penn. Tony will tell you, in his self-deprecating way, that they are their mother’s children. His family moved around a lot when he was a kid but then settled in Freehold, N.J., until his senior year of high school. He graduated from Delaware Valley Central in Callicoon, N.Y. Tony is one of the many successful coaches who have attended the State University of New York at Cortland. There’s something in the water there.

He’s one of the few great coaches who comes from the high school coaching ranks. He guided Lynbrook High School in Nassau County, N.Y., from 1972 to 1981, compiling a 116-61 record.

In a decade at Towson, Seaman has led the Tigers to five appearances in the NCAA tournament, with an 82-65 overall record and four conference championships. He is eighth among active Division I coaches and 16th in NCAA lacrosse history with 246 career victories, and is only coach to guide three different schools to the NCAA tournament.

How is the preseason progressing?

Tony Seaman : Weather has been cold but we have kept our field clear so that helps. We are developing some very young players who might play an important role for us as the season progresses. According to all of the polls and articles, we are huge underdogs with no preseason stars.

What are your specific goals for the preseason?

Tony Seaman : We hope to be ready to face Loyola at their place on Feb. 21 for our first game.

Give us a preview rundown of your probable starting personnel for 2009:

Tony Seaman : Attack: Tim Stratton, Bill McCutcheon, Sean Maguire, Matt Lamon, Steve Norris.

Midfield: Brock Armour, Randall Cooper, Justin Schneider.

Defense: Matt Richter, Joe Wascavage, Marc Ingerman, Cameron Zook, Matt Vetter.

Goal: Rob Wheeler, Andrew Wascavage, Justin Woodford.

Are there any battles going on for key positions?

Tony Seaman : Every position has a number of equally talented people battling for playing time.

How will the personality of this 2009 team differ from the 2008 squad?

Tony Seaman : No stars, good depth, good energy [and] an abundance of youth.

Who are your captains and what are their strengths?

Tony Seaman :Randall Cooper is a three-year starter, two at midfield and one at attack. He’s got a good nose for the goal. William McCutheon is a big strong attackman who has lost 20 pounds. He can get to the goal. Mitch Rosensweig will be one of the top faceoff men in the country. He finished with great stats for the second half of last season. Kyle Smedley is a midfielder who has started for three years. He’s the best all-around player on our team, can play defense, run the field and is a threat on the offensive end as well.

Are there any freshmen that will break into the lineup and impress us?

Tony Seaman : Too many to mention have the ability to play for us. Sean Maguire and and Matt Lamon on attack stand out. Mike Brashears at midfield and Mike Landy at defense most likely will be starters.

Who is your hardest shooter?

Tony Seaman : Pat Britton.

Best stick handler?

Tony Seaman : Kyle Smedley [and] Tim Stratton.

Fastest middie?

Tony Seaman : Pat Britton [and] John DuBois.

Toughest D-man?

Tony Seaman : Marc Ingerman.

Unsung hero?

Tony Seaman : Kyle Smedley.

Surprise player?

Tony Seaman : Cameron Zook.

What is the strength of your 2009 squad?

Tony Seaman : Defense.

How do the coaching roles work in your program? What are the key responsibilities of your assistants?

Tony Seaman : Shawn Nadelen has been with me for five years and is an outstanding defensive coordinator. He understands adjustments. He plays very well to our players’ individual strengths, and he understands the other team's offense. His players are always better at the end of the year then they were at the start.

Mike Allan, my offensive coordinator, is new to our program this year and brings a wealth of experience as a head coach and as an assistant. We will have a different look this year at the offensive end of the field.

Matt Eckerl is our volunteer coach. He played here at Towson and brings his experience and knowledge as a top faceoff man to our team as well as his overall playing experiences.

Which teams are you most looking forward to playing this season? Which teams provide the biggest challenge?

Tony Seaman : Our non-league schedule is loaded with the top teams in the country including Virginia, Hopkins, Loyola, UMBC, Denver, Maryland [and] Bucknell. The CAA is loaded this year with Hofstra, Delaware and Drexel all getting high preseason marks. Our rivalry within the state is huge with Maryland, UMBC, Hopkins and Loyola.

Who is the coach you fear opposing the most?

Tony Seaman : All of them.

Are there any transfers that change the makeup of your 2009 team?

Tony Seaman : Pat Britton has a chance to play for us especially on EMO.

How strong is your conference in 2009?

Tony Seaman : Very strong as usual.

Do you like the NCAA tournament in New England?

Tony Seaman : I like the championships each place that it has been played now that we are in major professional stadiums.

Would you like Baltimore, New Jersey, Denver or New England to host in the future?

Tony Seaman : I would like to see each of them have a chance.

What do you think of the stick rule change that is coming in 2010?

Tony Seaman : I’ll tell you in 2010.

Give us your feedback on any rules changes you think are good or bad for 2009?

Tony Seaman : No opinion at this time.

Are there changes you’d like to see?

Tony Seaman : Shot clock or extend the top of the offensive box and keep it in once you are inside the box.

How strong is the Maryland/Baltimore area for recruiting these days?

Tony Seaman : As always, very strong, but the outside areas are producing more and more good players as lacrosse grows across the country at the youth and high school levels.

Where’s the farthest you have gone to get a recruit?

Tony Seaman : I have three California boys who play a good deal for me right now.

Do you do a summer camp?

Tony Seaman : I am a part of 205 and have a good sized Towson Boys' Day Camp here at the University July 6 to 10 that includes boys from six years old to high school seniors.

How many camps should a kid play in the summer if he wants to play in college?

Tony Seaman : One good exposure recruiting camp. Today, more and more are playing on club teams that do the tournament swing each summer.

Are you a fan of multi-sport athletes when recruiting?

Tony Seaman : Absolutely! The more sports they play the better we like them.

Who were your influences in coaching?

Tony Seaman : Bob Scott [and] Henry Ciccarone.

Would you rather be the underdog or favorite in a big game?

Tony Seaman : Underdog.

What’s the most important trait of a great player?

Tony Seaman : Heart.

Washington College coach J.B. Clarke