February 23, 2007

Transcript of Friday's Press Conference with Head Coach Mike Pressler

Archieved Webcast of Press Conference (http://www.media.bryant.edu/)

Opening remarks: It's great to be back in the game and doing what you love to do, and to be working for a university that is committed to success in athletics and is doing it the right way. We have an exciting vision for the future in Bryant athletics, and men's lacrosse is right in the middle of that vision. We're excited to kick off our season Saturday against Adelphi.

We're building the brand of what Bryant lacrosse is today and what it will be in the future. We want terrific competitors and players who have success on and off the field.

Nine-ten months ago, there was no way I thought I would be sitting here. I thought my career was over. But I'm back in an area that I love, in Rhode Island.

On the transition from Duke to Bryant:

First and foremost, I am just as excited and nervous for Saturday as I would be in Duke on opening day. Playing Adelphi is just as exciting for me as playing Virginia. I take offense to people telling me that, "coach, you will be right back coaching at a Division I level again in a few years. You'll be right back on top." And that bothers me. It's not about the Roman numeral in the division you're coaching; it's about where you are.

On other opportunities:

There were schools that didn't want to look into what happened and did not want to do their homework.  But Bryant did. This was the right opportunity the minute I brought my family here. We knew it immediately, within the first hour we were here.

Goals for Bryant lacrosse:

To try to win Saturday, that's number one. But to bring men's lacrosse to a level it's never been before. There are no shortcuts here. We're going to recruit men with the grades and character Bryant wants.

On the case:

We believe in the truth. I knew the truth the day after it happened. You have to go back to March when 50 people know one truth and 50 million believed another. We stayed the course though and stuck together and I'm very proud of that.

There are certain core values that you do this with, and you never deviate. I don't care what adversity you face. We stayed the course and stayed loyal. When I look back at my tenure at Duke, the one thing I am the most proud of is that not one man from Duke transferred after what happened. Can you believe that? That's a tribute to the character, and how they stayed the course. And here we are today, the truth is coming out.

There's a lot of emotions you have to work your way through when you're home alone with your family, walking six, seven miles around the block, thinking what's next. One of the best things we did was to not comment publicly. We knew the truth was on our side. We weathered the storm, and we came out on top.

I never lost my faith in my student-athletes. But right now, it's all about the 37 guys on the Bryant lacrosse team now.

On Div. II Schedule:

I don't have a feel for the Division II competition yet. I'm well aware of Le Moyne and their success, and Adelphi, and C.W. Post. Ask me a month from now, and I'll have a better answer.

On telling his Bryant athletes about the Duke situation:

They had to know what the deal (Duke situation) was when I got here. They weren't a part of it, but they became a part of it. I had to be up-front and truthful about everything that happened at Duke with my current players. I certainly addressed it and they know what's coming. They're anxious to get out there and play.

On coaching here at Bryant and next year's class:

Well, I wasn't on the road recruiting this summer so I had not seen this freshmen class play until I got here. But it's a great class, and moving forward, four of the recruits coming to Bryant next year came off our Duke list. I'm not sure if it's the best group, but the one thing that next year's class has is their strength of character. It's second to none and we're going to build around those guys. We're in this thing for the long haul. There's no quick fix here. Hopefully down the road, we can entice scholars in the classroom and terrific athletes on the field.

On staying in contact with former players:

I'm very close to the class of 2006 at Duke for many reasons. I recruited them and we left at the same time. They're one of my all-time favorites. We stuck with it at Duke and turned it around there. But it's not my team anymore and for me to interfere with that is not right. I'm close to them but they have to buy into their new coach.

On the media scrutiny at Bryant:

Co-captain Bryan Molk: Coach has done a great job of focusing on the 37 kids in the locker room and keeping the focus on us.

Reaction of Pressler coming to Bryant:

Sophomore Kevin Hoagland: It was exciting to play for one of the best coaches ever in men's lacrosse. We worked hard in preseason and we're ready to play.

Molk: Coach coming here has given us that chance to succeed at our highest level. You have 37 individuals in that locker room all going for one goal.

Hoagland: It's been a great team experience. We only have a couple upperclassmen so it's been the younger guys bringing the team together.