Morning Everyone -

Happy Friday! We’re a week out from Thanksgiving which signals food, family and (hopefully) a well-deserved break from the grind.

Today we’re writing about authentic leadership. It’s something every team depends on, but it can also feel heavy and uncomfortable at times. We’ve seen a lot, made mistakes, and learned from great leaders around us. We hope some of those lessons help the next group coming up.

We also have a new podcast with Yale Women’s coach Erica Bamford plus new blogs and webinar recordings. All of that is below.

Let’s get into it. Happy Friday ☕️,
Matt & Deemer

We are excited to announce Maryland commit Ethan Bramoff to our Men’s Committed event on Jan 10-11 in Florida! Stay tuned for more player announcements.

Both our men’s and women’s BIC Committed events are now live! If you are a committed 2026 or 2027 looking to learn, train and compete with the best in your class, learn more below.

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We’ve wanted to write about this one for a little while. Leadership is an important skill that’s developed through sports, but it can also be challenging and intimidating. Even the strongest leaders go through phases of questioning themselves.

Deemer and I end up talking about this with a lot of our podcast guests, so you’ve probably heard different versions of it already.

Most people reading this have been in a leadership role at some point. A captain on a team, a group project, a job, or even just being the person your friends or family look to. Leadership shows up everywhere, and it isn’t always comfortable.

It can feel heavy, and at times, isolating. But it matters. Teams don’t function without it. Today I’m talking mostly to the players stepping into those roles on their teams, but the message applies to anyone.

Hey everyone, Matt here. Getting named a captain is one of the biggest honors in sports. I’ll always believe that. It means the people around you trust you to set the tone and guard the culture of the team. It’s not about popularity or being the best player. It’s about how you show up and how often you put the team first.

It’s also intimidating.

I’ve been lucky to play with incredible leaders at every level. High school, college, pro. I’ve had chances to lead and chances to follow, and each stage brought different challenges.

In 2023, Michael Ehrhardt retired from the Whipsnakes. Not only was he one of the best LSMs ever, he was one of our captains. Mike was a guy everyone respected, and losing him was a big deal for our group.

That offseason, Coach Stagnitta told me I’d be stepping in as captain alongside Jake Bernhardt. I was grateful and excited; but honestly, I had some doubts. Mike and Jake set the bar high with their leadership.

Mike always showed up. Every practice and play in the game felt like it was the most important one. You never questioned his commitment to the team and competitive spirit. He also had no problem challenging our team if we did not meet the standard. Guys trusted him because he showed us how it was supposed to be done through his actions, and held us accountable to bring the same.

Jake carried many of the same traits as Mike, but his preparation and relentless focus on the process kept us grounded. Whether it is his own physical preparation or knowing the scout inside and out, Jake does not take shortcuts in preparation and he expects the same from his teammates. When our minds started floating to outcomes and the uncontrollables, Jake would bring us back down to the process.

The core of their message was the same: it is about doing everything possible to put our team in a position to be successful. However, they both echoed and solidified that culture in different ways.

One thing I’ve learned: leadership works best when it’s real. There isn’t one correct style. I’m not pretending I have this mastered by the way. I’ve just lived enough versions of it to know this part is true.

I didn’t need to be Mike or Jake. They each lead differently and I’ve certainly learned things from both, as well as many of my prior coaches and teammates. But forcing yourself into someone else’s style adds pressure that doesn’t help. The job is the job, but how you handle it has to fit who you are.

For me, leadership came back to caring about the group and doing the things that move the team forward. Show up the right way. Do your work. Pay attention to what the team needs. Keep the standard where it should be. Those things matter far more than trying to act a certain way.

If you’re stepping into a leadership role, don’t chase someone else’s version. Figure out the one that fits you. It’ll push you into situations that aren’t always comfortable, like speaking up, holding yourself and teammates accountable and talking honestly with the staff, but that’s where the growth is.

This message isn’t just for captains. Everyone on a team has a role in what the environment feels like.

Jocko Willink uses the phrase “leadership up and down the chain,” and it translates well to teams. Leadership doesn’t only move from coaches down to players. It goes both ways.

Leading down the chain is how you influence the people around you. Whether you realize it or not, younger players follow the example you set.

Leading up the chain is taking responsibility when something isn’t clear, asking questions, giving honest feedback, and helping the staff understand what the team is experiencing. It’s not challenging authority. It’s helping the group function better.

Great teams have both. Captains matter, but the shift to great culture happens when everyone sees themselves as responsible for the culture. Whatever your role is, take ownership of it. Don’t assume someone else will fix things just because they have a title.

Team sports put you in situations where you have to lead and situations where you have to follow. Both matter.

Leadership can feel uncomfortable early on, and that’s usually a sign you’re growing. Understand what your team needs from you and deliver it in a way that’s true to who you are. Care about the group and show it in how you act. Uphold the standard that the team comes first.

Coach Class and Coach Dunn

Best In Class was thrilled to partner with NXT Lacrosse on the 2025 Continental Cup. Since the start of BIC, Coach Class has made appearances at fall tournaments to evaluate up and coming prospects and future BIC attendees. Read who stood out here and check our three 2028 prospects to watch below. Interested in media coverage? Email [email protected].

Earning Continental Cup MVP honors, Farwell facilitated goals and assists in every game, but her signature performance was burying four goals in a row to come back vs CT Grizzlies. She possesses snappy hands not only when shooting, but even when she zips passes up to the top of the 12. She plays with a shiftiness and swagger that had many D1 coaches jotting down notes.

Haley is shifty attacker that attacks downhill well. She has a good feel for the game and consistently makes play after play. Showcasing diversity, Haley can be productive finishing in tight or scoring on the run.

McCrone helps anchor a deep STEPS midfield. She has the power to get to the cage on her own, but also cuts well off-ball. Emma Grom found her on a great flash cut inside vs Jesters. Her presence on the field stands out.

Check out our @fclbestinclass Instagram page for the best highlights and content from the Continental Cup and read the full list of standouts from below.

We are pumped to announce the addition of Richmond senior defender Hunter Smith and Johns Hopkins junior attacker Hunter Chauvette as FCL Athletes! Stay tuned for drills, tips and advice from the pair throughout the year. We will be announcing more in weeks to come.

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