02/13/2015
Salem News
By Jean DePlacido
Larry Kline is the new sports performance coach at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, working closely with the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.
The former Beverly High star goalie, who went on to have a great career at Binghamton (N.Y.) University, was an assistant lacrosse coach for three years at Washington College in Maryland, a Division 3 school. He also helped with strength and conditioning for the program there.
Kline was excited by the opportunity to join his former Binghamton coach Ed Stephenson, who is now the head coach of the UML River Hawks.
“I wanted to be closer to home and have the opportunity to work at a Division 1 program,” said Kline, who will also do some strength and conditioning work with the UML baseball and softball teams. “My duties now are mainly working with both lacrosse teams. I’ve given them a program, which includes weightlifting and running. I’ll take the players on the field to do foot work, and also spend 1-on-1 time with anybody needing extra work. The job allows me to work with more student-athletes, which I really enjoy.
“It’s a part-time position, but I’m pretty much here full-time. It’s an interesting job and good to be back with coach Stephenson. Even on bad days the kids make me laugh.
It’s an exciting time for the River Hawks as they move all programs to the Division 1 level as members of the America East Conference. The men, who were picked seventh in the AEC’s preseason poll, open the season this weekend at Yale and play their first home game next Saturday against Siena. They’ll host Kline’s alma mater, Binghamton, April 4.
Kevin Lally and Matt Page of Beverly are two of 28 freshmen on the ULowell roster along with Pete Slattery from Salem. Lally is a goalie while Page is an attackman; Slattery will play either attack or midfield.
The women’s head coach is Carissa Medeiros; her team has 11 freshmen, a sophomore and two juniors on her roster.
“This is a great time to be at Lowell and see the programs take a big step up. Hockey is the biggest sport here and it’s been D-1 for a while (in Hockey East), but every sport has moved up from Division 2 and will play in a very competitive conference,” said Kline.
“This is a transitional period, and being a part of it while it’s happening is great for me. We all realize it’s going to take a while, but the men’s soccer team was only one win away from first place (last) fall. Stuff like that is what will draw top recruits. In the wins and losses column you won’t see results right away, but the fact that the school is now in Division 1 means we’ll draw better athletes. Plus, the school has done a good job establishing a solid academic reputation. It’s a great place to get an excellent education and play sports at a highly competitive level.”
Kline is excited to be working with Lally, who like himself is a former Beverly High goalie. When he was coaching at Washington College, Lally was one of the school’s top prospects.
“We had Kevin down for a recruiting trip, but I’m happy he’s here now,” said Kline. “For me, working with a Beverly kid is like coming full circle.”
Following a stellar career at Beverly High, Kline was a four-year captain in college for the Bearcats and led them to the America East Conference championship in both 2007 and 2009. He was a two-time America East All-Tournament team selection, and graduated cum laude with a BS in philosophy, politics and law.
“There was a lacrosse program here 10 years ago but they cut it. This just shows how fast the game is growing, and it’s a great option for kids not wanting to go too far away from home,” Kline said of Lowell. “There’s a brand new stadium for women and men’s lacrosse, which shows how much the school is committed to the programs.
“I know I’m going to be very busy this spring. But I don’t do well with a lot of free time on my hands, so that’s fine with me.”