By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/20/16
Dave Sowers, who was a three-time Suburban One League Coach of the Year at Upper Moreland (girls) and Hatboro-Horsham (boys), has been named head coach at state contender Upper Dublin.
Sowers served as an assistant coach at Upper Dublin the past four years and helped the Cards win the past three Freedom Division titles and advance to the District 1 quarterfinals twice. He was head coach at Hatboro from 2002-10 and led the Hatters to the state tourney in 2010.
Dave Sowers flanks Jack Rapine (left), Michael Sowers
Sowers succeeds J.P. Banks, who resigned last summer to take the head coaching job at Pennridge for family reasons.
Upper Dublin returns a strong senior class – led by US U19 Training Team members Michael Sowers (the coach’s son, attackman Princeton commit) and Jack Rapine (defenseman, John Hopkins signee) – that will have the Cards pegged as one of the District 1 and state favorites this year.
Sowers’ Background: Wissahickon HS graduate, Penn State University alum; started coaching high school sports in 1989, Abington Boys’ assistant 1998, Upper Moreland Girls assistant 1999-2000 and Head coach 2001, Hatboro-Horsham Boys’ Head coach 2002-2010, Wissahickon Boys’ assistant 2011, Upper Dublin Boys’ assistant 2012-2015 and Head coach 2016. Also, head coach Mesa Fresh 2016 for past four years.
What are your short-term goals/outlook at Upper Dublin (2016 season)
Sowers: “We want to stop focusing on ‘making history’ and focus on ‘making memories;’ change our mind set to focus on the game in front of us and the play in front of us; and to take care of the small stuff and let the big stuff take care of itself. I see my job to create an environment where we can function as one; and there’s leadership so we can react to every situation.”
What are your long-term goals at Upper Dublin
Sowers: “To continue the strong bridge between our youth program (CCLC) and middle school program. To sustain our ‘Cardinal Pride’ through our belief in commitment, discipline, accountability, perfect effort, and brotherhood.”
What is your general coaching philosophy?
Sowers: “As a teacher and mentor, I have the opportunity to teach that lacrosse is merely a vehicle to teach life skills like respect, accountability, selflessness and commitment, and that sports do not build character, they reveal it. I believe players must be true to themselves, help others, and make friendships. There is no substitute for hard work and planning. Pay attention to detail.”
Why did you seek this job?
Sowers: “I must say that I really enjoyed being an assistant coach the past couple years. I appreciate the opportunity that (former Wissahickon coach) Anthony Gabriele and JP Banks gave me. I am proud to lead this strong program with great coaches in Haldy Gifford and Ryan White. Our JV program is in noble hands with Steve Young and Chris Naughton Jr. We have added Josh Wilkcoz as our defensive coordinator and past UD Head Coach Jon Levine will assist us and focus on alumni relations. I want to make sure that this program continues moving in the right direction.”