Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/30/08
Ken Eckler feels like a third-leg relay race runner who cannot find his anchor man to make a hand-off.
After serving as the only boys’ lacrosse coach at Interboro and building the program from the ground up, he has been thwarted in his efforts to help find his replacement since announcing he would not return at the end of the 2008 season.
Help wanted!
“From the inception of this program nine years ago, the Interboro lax community has continually striven to create a quality student-athlete who understands the value of tradition and the motto, ‘Buc pride.’” Eckler said. “This high school squad is ripe for an energetic, knowledgeable coach to come in and take the program to the next level.”
Eckler, who served as a volunteer coach when the program began as a club team, did his part in building Interboro’s program. He brought the team to the varsity level and helped build a solid youth program.
In 2006, the Bucs had their best year, finishing 11-7 and claiming a monumental win over Central League power Radnor. They also took Catholic League heavyweight St. Joseph’s Prep to the brink before bowing, 9-8, in the first round of the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association playoffs. Eckler was named Del-Val League Coach of the Year.
The last two years the Bucs have struggled with an overall record of 8-27, but Eckler noted this year the team returns a strong nucleus, including six all-Del-Val League choices and two other key regulars.
Heading the list of returnees is junior goalkeeper Adam Moore, a two-year starter and the recipient of the Del-Val League Sportsmanship Award. Other returning all-league performers include senior defender Mike Mango, senior middie Tony Redding, senior attacker Rich Rossano, junior middie Jordan Graham and junior long-stick middie Shawn Lee. Also returning is senior face-off specialist Ben Lavallee and junior attacker Vincent Latham.
Candidates interested in the position should contact Interboro Athletic Director Sue Leahan at the high school at 610-237-6410.
