Hofstra University
NCAA DI • CAA
Date: September 15, 2024
Would Recommend
Tags
Incredibly knowledgable of the game, and obviously was a good player. Extremely inconsistent as a leader and coach. Doesn't trust her assistant coaches (has had a menagerie of coaches throughout the years), doesn't trust her captains, and seems to want to surround herself with "yes-men" so don't cross her. Despite her knowledge of the game she seems to get out-coached by inferior talented teams each season. Schools with a "program" consistently beat Coach Smith's teams despite inferior talent. In my opinion women need to feel good about themselves to play well...and you won't get compliments or feel secure about yourself if you play for Coach Smith. Many players at Hofstra end up becoming student teachers during their senior seasons forcing Coach Smith to adjust the practice schedule to very early in the morning...if you play there, get used to arising when it's dark and practicing as the sun comes up. Practices are long, monotonous, and if you're a captain, she has frequent meetings following practice...she doesn't care what you think, so I'm confused why she meets with you anyway. Coach Smith is well connected in the Long Island community since she runs the Top Gun Club program, but she doesn't seem to find internships or post career jobs for the players. If you're a player that's not getting time, you want to hear the coach tell you reasons why you're not playing...fitness, better off-hand control, speed, lacrosse IQ...but instead, you probably will be ignored for weeks on end. Coach Smith doesn't spend time developing her players that aren't superstars...and in my opinion she isn't that adept at developing stars either.