A Conversation with Coach Cristina Maurizi from Stockton University

Introduction

We caught up with Stockton University Women’s Lacrosse Coach Cristina Maurizi for a discussion about the Stockton lacrosse program and what she looks for when recruiting student-athletes.

You can find our conversation below.

Thanks to Cristina for taking the time to educate those interested in Stockton!

Stockton will be in attendance at the D3 Fall Lacrosse Showcase this October. Click Here To Learn More and Register to the D3 Fall Lacrosse Showcase.

The Conversation

What are you most excited about with regards to your program?

We have a very young team so I am excited to see us grow.

What jumps out at you when recruiting? What do you look for in a player?

Effort; going hard for a ground ball, if you lose it or make a bad pass going to get it back, positivity on the field.

What are your “pet peeves” when recruiting?

How kids speak to their parents, how parents act on the sidelines about the calls.

What is the best way interested student-athletes should get in touch with you?

Email me directly

What should student-athletes avoid in their messaging to college coaches?

Avoid lengthy emails, just give us the fact: what year you are, name, club team, high school team, position and video if possible.

How would you describe your coaching style?

I am all about getting everything done in the small amount of time we have. I’ll be your biggest cheerleader, but will also be honest about what needs to happen.

Walk us through your timeline when recruiting a student athlete?

I am trying to build my program so I am looking for athletes all the time. I would say my timeline is to get players on campus by the beginning of their junior year and have commits by senior year. But again I am very much happy to deal with certain players who need more time; deciding where you want to college shouldn’t be stressful and I want to make it easy for you to decide.

What kind of players succeed at your program?

Players who understand that D3 is just as much a commitment as D1 and D2. We have high regards for academics but when lacrosse is put second in line then we know who wants to be here compared to kids who just want to be on a team.

What’s your recruiting strategy going into an event? After an event?

Going to an event, I plan what players have emailed me to go see them, then look at the teams I am familiar with or not and see when I can go find diamonds in the rough. After I make a point to email all the players who emailed me then email all the new players I have seen.

Tell us about your transition from lacrosse player to lacrosse coach.

Transitioning from player to coach was difficult coming from a D1 program to being an assistant D3 coach. I had to understand that at D3 players are out here for the pure love of the game with no money give to play. So I had more of a respect for those kids who pushed everyday and worked hard. Made me become a better coach and see athletics in a different light.

Once again, thanks to Cristina for her time, and best of luck to Stockton this season!

Stockton will be in attendance at the D3 Fall Lacrosse Showcase this October. Join Coach Maurizi & 40+ other college coaches at D3 Fall Showcase.

Coach Maurizi is one of the many coaches to recruit at our premier showcases. Click below to see the full list of coaches attending our events. Register today!