Preseason Interview: Head Coach Tony Scazzero

By Will James

Photo by:Frank Boyd

Junior Tom Fleps looks to lead the team at close D this year.

College Station, TX--aggielacrosse.com sat down with Tony Scazzero and asked him some pointed questions about this coming season, how the team can prepare, and what the fans can expect.

aggielacrosse.com  Who are some key returning players for the Aggies? What are their respective roles?
Tony  Jason Jolly - goal, Tom Fleps - defense, David Van Sciver, Dan Curl and Walker Colt - midfield, FO - Dustin Muir, Ethan Dubois - attack, Cory Hartstein and Brendan Meara - LSM

aggielacrosse.com  Have any players stepped up in the off season and could contribute more in 2010 than in 2009?
Tony  Impressed with the efforts of David Gantier and Hunter Morvan on defense; Austin Wall, Jeremy Graves, Alan Kotzot, and Dane Richards at midfield.

aggielacrosse.com  What about incoming players? Who will be expected to contribute early?
Tony  Ben King and Logan Farmar on attack. Blake Morrell on defense, Andrew Martin and Andrew Raccasi at midfield.

aggielacrosse.com  Any new coaches on board? What will their/his role(s) be?
Tony  Jim Perouty joins the staff as asst. head coach. He brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the team.

aggielacrosse.com  Do you think it will be tough for the Aggies to host Arizona and Texas Tech during a tournament weekend? Many fans might be asking what the rationale is behind scheduling such hard games during a weekend where the Aggies have to do so much work, any comment to them?
Tony  The 2010 team must step up for us to have a successful season and scheduling two tough opponents on the same weekend is a challange they need to face on the road to success.

aggielacrosse.com  Talk about the importance of the winning on the road against Lindenwood?
Tony  It is important for several reasons, we don't feel we played them that well last season, the players need the challange of a ranked opponent, and we look forward to representing our conference at the national level.

aggielacrosse.com  Excited to be playing Tennessee again who the Aggies have not played since 2003?
Tony  We are glad to pick back up a good rivalry series. Tennessee put together a solid 4 team event in Memphis to showcase MCLA lacrosse there.

aggielacrosse.com  Talk about the developing SHSU team and what means that we are taking the time to travel over to Huntsville and play them.
Tony  My hats off to Joe Fritts and the work he's done resurrecting the program at Sam Houston. It is good for both our clubs to see different styles of play and renew a great rivalry from the 80's.

aggielacrosse.com  How do the Aggies get back on track after a losing season last year?
Tony  Focus on the present, achieve some early success, trust our system and our teammates.

aggielacrosse.com  What's the number one thing the Aggie players should keep in mind as they practice and prepare for the season?
Tony  Truly enjoy learning the game of lacrosse and its many nuances. Focus on becoming a team.

aggielacrosse.com  Thanks Coach. Best of luck to ya'll this year!