Jan. 19, 2010

"Post and orders remain as directed."

"Orders acknowledged"

These orders include extreme dedication to walk at a cadence of 90 steps per minute for the 21 steps it takes to get to the end of the mat. The proud and honorable American soldiers that guard the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery are some of the most dedicated soldiers in the armed forces. To begin the 2010 season, Georgetown Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Ricky Fried decided to take his team to see a Changing of the Guard as an exercise in discipline and dedication.

"The biggest thing we got out of it was discipline, the focus, staying in the moment and working for something bigger than yourself," said senior Emily Bock. "The teamwork aspect was that they're in there all day preparing and one mistake could ruin the whole thing. I think the lessons are easily applied to lacrosse."

The coaching staff reviewed the requirements to become a Sentinel of the Tomb of the Unknown, or part of The Old Guard. The tomb is guarded by Sentinels, all volunteers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The Sentinels are considered to be the best of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry. Before earning the right to guard the tomb, soldiers go through a rigorous process including lessons in cleaning the weapons, the walk and information on 300 of the graves at the cemetery.

Upon returning from Arlington, Fried and his assistants Erin Hellmold, Michi Ellers and Stephanie Sparks, had the team go to the locker room to discuss what could be taken away from the experience.

Freshman Evan O'Neill, a first-time visitor to Arlington National Cemetery, pointed out the similarities in each groups' mission.

"Our coaches always tell us that we're here for lacrosse. We're here not to worry about outside things, we're here with each other and we're a team. The guard is focusing on the one task at hand when he is doing it and he is doing it 100 percent with their will and their heart."

To add to the experience, the team went to Fried's father's grave in the cemetery prior to the Changing of the Guard. Page G. Fried III served two tours in Vietnam as an infantry officer. He retired from the Army after 23 years of service.

"Before going to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we went to see Ricky's father's grave and that hit me really hard since he passed away my freshman year and I remember going to the funeral," said Bock. "I know how much that meant to Ricky and it's a good reminder that there is a lot more besides yourself."

O'Neill added, "Going to the grave reminded us to be selfless, that were all here for each other and not just ourselves."

The experiences early in the season taught the squad lessons that players can go back to throughout the season and beyond lacrosse.

In an email to the team following the trip and practice, Fried echoed the importance of the experience.

"Hopefully you got out of today's trip as much as I did. I know it was one of many to come, but it is a day I will remember for quite a while."

The Hoyas will continue to practice through the preseason getting ready for the squad's home opener on February 24 against Johns Hopkins. However, the players will hopefully carry with them the lessons learned on a cold day in January that dedication and team effort is the key to becoming great.