This is the first in a series of interviews with area men's and women's college lacrosse coaches. Over the next few weeks, look for Q&As with coaches from all your favorite teams as we start the 2009 season.

J.B. Clarke is the head lacrosse coach and assistant athletic director at Washington College. He's been the coach of the Shoremen since July 1998, amassing a 125-46 record in 10 seasons. He's led the Shoremen to the Division III NCAA tournament seven times. He has two daughters, Jessica, 13, and Samantha, 10, from a previous marriage and will be married again in June to his fiancé, Lisa. Clarke is originally from Wilton, Conn. He attended Southern Connecticut State University and Roanoke College. He had a few lacrosse jobs before taking over at Washington College, including an assistant coaching job at Loyola College in 1998, when the Greyhounds were ranked second in the nation.

How is the preseason progressing?

J.B. Clarke: Our conference [Centennial Conference] does not allow us to practice until Feb. 1, so it is not progressing yet.

What are your specific goals for the preseason?

J.B. Clarke: Just to win the next game.

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

Attack: Jimmy Kielek, a senior from Baltimore, Josh Perlow, a sophomore from Owings Mills, and Brendan O’Leary, a junior from Annapolis.

Midfield: Doug Herdegen, a sophomore from Baltimore, Casey O’Connor, a senior from Crownsville, and Matt Moreton, a senior from Darnestown.

Defense: Patrick Healy, a 6-4 senior from Simsbury, Conn., Sean Millham, a 6-3 senior from Pasadena, and Bobby Baur, a 6-5 junior from Bel Air.

Goal: Gordon Cohen, a senior from New Canaan, Conn.

Are there any battles going on for key positions?

J.B. Clarke: Yes, on attack and at second midfield.

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

J.B. Clarke: The loss of two All-American attackmen means new leadership will take over at the offensive end. Jimmy Kielek, a three-year starter, will handle the task with comfort.

Who are your captains and what are their strengths?

J.B. Clarke: Millham and Cohen are our captains. They lead by example and Cohen is vocal. Both started for three years.

What is the biggest weakness of your 2009 team or the thing you will look to improve over the season before the playoffs?

J.B. Clarke: Replacing the attack.

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

J.B. Clarke: Tom Rixey, a 6-2 freshman from Norfolk Academy in Virginia Beach could see time on attack or midfield. Jack Vermeil from Henderson High School in West Chester, Pa., on defense, and Brendan Callaghan, a 6-3 middie from Red Bank Catholic in Monmouth Beach, N.J.

Who’s your hardest shooter?

J.B. Clarke: Herdegen.

Best stick handler?

J.B. Clarke: Thom Cecere, a junior defenseman out of St. Mary’s in Annapolis.

Fastest middie?

J.B. Clarke: Matt Moreton.

Toughest D-man?

J.B. Clarke: Patrick Healy.

Unsung hero?

J.B. Clarke: Senior midfielder Kyle van Oostendorp.

Surprise player?

J.B. Clarke: Senior defenseman Eric Shea from Towson.

What is the strength of your 2009 squad?

J.B. Clarke: Longstick middies and at goal.

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

J.B. Clarke: Matt Parks is my offensive coordinator and Kyle Mitten is my recruiting coordinator. Kyle also works with the defense and faceoff guys and is the box coach. I am the defensive coordinator as well.

How strong are your seniors?

J.B. Clarke: Our seniors are very, very strong. We are very mature in the middle and on the defensive end.

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

J.B. Clarke: Our conference is tremendous; the best in the land. All of them can beat anyone. But Salisbury is No. 1 so they are the biggest threat by default.

Who’s the coach you fear opposing the most?

J.B. Clarke: Whoever we face next.

Do you like the NCAA tournament in New England?

J.B. Clarke: It was fine.

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

J.B. Clarke: Baltimore.

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

J.B. Clarke: Sticks have changed the game, negatively. Stick manufacturers are more interested in their profits than the integrity of the game. This is understandable, but they need to respect the professionals at the NCAA and in the coaching ranks that are attempting to keep the game as great as it is or was.

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

J.B. Clarke: Instead of “keep it in,” when the refs think you are stalling, simply have them say that the “clock is on,” meaning the same exact buzzer they use for clearing is on and you need to get a shot off in that 20 seconds. That would speed the game up. I also think we should eliminate the horn, period.

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

J.B. Clarke: It’s still very strong. But not so much stronger than other areas like it used to be.

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

J.B. Clarke: We have a kid from Hawaii. Unfortunately, we did not do a home visit with him!

Do you do a summer camp?

J.B. Clarke: We have a great instructional camp. There are so many camps that simply run tournaments, which is fine. But the younger kids still need to learn the game.

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

J.B. Clarke: Two. One instructional camp and one playing camp. And kids need to participate in other sports too!

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

J.B. Clarke: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Who were your influences in coaching?

J.B. Clarke: Guy Whitten, a Wilton [High School, Conn.] legend, John Pirro at Roanoke [College], [Bryant coach] Mike Pressler, [Maryland coach] Dave Cottle and [Limestone College coach] Mike Cerino.

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

J.B. Clarke: Favorite.

Do your players see you as a friend, father figure, teacher or boss?

J.B. Clarke: Hopefully all of the above.

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

J.B. Clarke: Passion.

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