Men's Lacrosse News
J. E. Bert Severns tabbed Centre's first men's lacrosse coach
J.E. Bert Severns takes over as the new lacrosse coach at Centre College as it is starting its program beginning the fall of 2010. An All-American as a player at Cortland State, he brings an impressive coaching resume to the College. 
Coach Severns was an assistant coach for both soccer and lacrosse teams at the United State Naval Academy from 1976 to 1980, helping the Midshipmen to a national semifinal appearance in lacrosse and an ECAC championship in soccer. While at Annapolis, he was responsible for recruiting for both sports, and helped coach 15 lacrosse All-Americans. From 1980 to 1984 he was the head coach of soccer and lacrosse at Alfred University. He directed the Saxon soccer team to an ECAC title while coaching two more All-Americans. In 1984 he left Alfred for West Point, becoming the assistant athletic director for facilities and the assistant lacrosse coach. During his time at the United State Military Academy, he helped the lacrosse team to a national semifinal appearance.
In 1990 he left coaching to pursue a career in the sporting goods industry, working his way up to become the national sales manager for Diadora America and Director of Sales and Marketing for Game Sportswear. As would be expected with his coaching background, Severns emphasizes discipline, conditioning, and teamwork.
"I want my teams to be sound fundamentally, but I allow the players to grow individually. My players can do what they need to do," says Severns. "I'll give them the fundamentals to grow. We will be very disciplined and our players will know where to be. And they will be in shape – they might not enjoy that part of it, but they will be in shape."
"In a recruit I'm looking for a player who is committed to becoming a better player and making his team a better team," he said. "If he has a passion for the game, he will fit right into our program. If he has passion, he will become better. We can make him a better player while he's at Centre College." |
