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Being More than a Student-Athlete: Goalie Life at the Military Academy
May 2003

Being a student-athlete can be difficult enough, trying to balance the time needed for attending classes, studying, writing papers and doing labwork and the time needed for training, practice, and preparing for and competing in games. What if you added another significant element to this balancing act? What if you added rigorous military requirements? We interviewed the starting goalies of the Air Force Academy, Annapolis and West Point to find out what the juggling act is like for them and to learn how their military training impacts their skills as a goalie. (Coincidently, these goalies responded to our interview questions while they were completing finals and preparing for summer military duties.)

Air Force Academy : William Arnold   •   Annapolis : Seth DiNola   •   West Point : Matt Darak

Air Force Academy : William Arnold

Goalie Nation: Why are you a goalie?
William Arnold: I am a goalie because I like the challenge of it and all the pressure that is put on you. Really makes you feel like you play a major role in all the games. And also I had two older brothers that made me stand in the goal when we were little.

GN: Why did you go into the military?
WA: I always thought being in the military would be a fun thing to do. When I started looking at colleges I decided that I would try to go to a service academy. I like the military lifestyle and enjoy serving my country.

GN: How difficult is it to balance academics, athletics and military requirements?
WA: It is pretty difficult because each one is very important and sometimes it is hard to focus on just one at a time. School is very difficult and takes up the most time, followed by athletics. It is often had to get all the military activities done due to conflicts with practices and games.

GN: Where do you find the most stress or pressure? For example, do you feel the pressure of a big game or the pressure of managing time?
WA: The most stress comes from school and getting all the work done and maintaining good grades. Going to practice and playing in games is the best part of our day here at the Academy. It is time to forget about all the other stuff going on and just have fun. Most games are stressful but in a totally different way. It is more excitement, wanting to play your best, and not letting the team down.

GN: How does your military training impact your physical or technical skills as a goalie?
WA: I don't think my military training has really impacted my technical skills as a goalie. It has taught me to be more disciplined in my workouts and practice habits but that would be the biggest aspect.

GN: How does your military training impact your mental skills as a goalie?
WA: I think my military training has had a huge impact on how I mentally prepare and play the game. I have been through a lot of tough times since coming to the academy and now when I play I am more relaxed because it is the best part of my day. Being in the military also makes you tougher mentally and allows you maintain a better focus while playing.

GN: Any advice for aspiring goalies?
WA: I would say have fun in the goal and remember that you will have good days and bad days, just make the good ones count.

Annapolis : Seth DiNola

Goalie Nation: Why are you a goalie?
Seth DiNola: I'm a Goalie because it is the only position on the lacrosse field that allows you to single handedly take over every game that you play in. You are the quarterback on the field and regardless of what the situation is, the goalie is in the position to dominate and control the outcome of every possession on the field.

GN: Why did you go into the military?
SD: I came to the Naval Academy because it was an unbelievable opportunity to get an education, play lacrosse, and join my brother at the institution.

GN: How difficult is it to balance academics, athletics and military requirements?
SD: The biggest challenge that I have been faced with is the time management aspect of it. The academics and athletics is something that I have been able to balance my entire life so that is not so bad. All the military requirements adds a little bit more to the table but you find ways to get stuff done and balance it all. You just have to make sure you stay on top of as many aspects of your life as you can because what you learn is that you can not do everything so prioritizing is important.

GN: Where do you find the most stress or pressure? For example, do you feel the pressure of a big game or the pressure of managing time?
SD: Living in the environment of the Naval Academy and being confronted with responsibilities from every aspect of your life, I have become much more relaxed and confident in everything that I do. I don‚t worry about the small stuff anymore and I know that if I prepare for the task ahead of me, that repetition through practice combined with my skills and ability get me into the position to succeed. The only thing that I need to do from there is perform to my ability and everything else will take care of itself.

GN: How does your military training impact your physical or technical skills as a goalie?
SD: There is no doubt that the military skills that I have learned have improved my ability to focus in key situations in the net where prior to being here I would have lost focus and gotten beat on that same shot.

GN: How does your military training impact your mental skills as a goalie?
SD: Helps focus and remaining alert and calm in any situation that the game presents me with.

GN: Any advice for aspiring goalies?
SD: Play the position because you want the challenge of having the ability to dictate the outcome of every game that you are in. Stay focused in improving your field sense and stick skills because the goalie should have the best stick skills on the team. The most important thing you can do as a keeper is stay relaxed and trust your skills and instincts and making saves will become much easier.

West Point : Matt Darak

Goalie Nation: Why are you a goalie?
Matt Darak: I'm not good enough to play anything else, and it's fun.

GN: Why did you go into the military?
MD: It's a great chance to lead, and have an exciting job.

GN: How difficult is it to balance academics, athletics and military requirements?
MD: It's difficult at times, when things seem to hit you all at once. It seems like work loads come in waves sometimes, and it makes it tough to prepare for a game.

GN: Where do you find the most stress or pressure? For example, do you feel the pressure of a big game or the pressure of managing time?
MD: I would say they are equal, if you let one overcome the other, it is easy to lose your focus. You have to get the job done in both areas.

GN: How does your military training impact your physical or technical skills as a goalie?
MD: I think it helps me to make smart decisions quickly and lead the team when I need to.

GN: How does your military training impact your mental skills as a goalie?
MD: I think it helps me to maintain poise in stressful situations. During big games where everything is on the line, it is important to stay focused.

GN: Any advice for aspiring goalies?
MD: I sometimes analyze my mistakes too much and over-think things. My best performances are when I just go out and play to have fun. Everyone has their bad days, you just have to accept that and move on.

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