A Conversation with Nick Hourigan from Ithaca College

Introduction

We caught up with Ithaca College Men’s Lacrosse Coach Nick Hourigan for a discussion about the Ithaca lacrosse program and what he looks for when recruiting student-athletes.

You can find our conversation below.

Thanks to Nick for taking the time to educate those interested in Ithaca College!

Ithaca will be in attendance at the D3 Winter Lacrosse Showcase this January. Click Here To Learn More and Register to the D3 Winter Lacrosse Showcase.

The Conversation

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

The opportunity to compete each year for a National Championship.

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

Athleticism is something that definitely jumps out at coaches while recruiting. So I’m certainly looking for athletic kids, but I’m also looking for players that are disciplined and possess great fundamentals. An emphasis on the small details shows a lot about a player.

What are your “pet peeves” when recruiting?

These aren’t necessarily recruiting-specific pet peeves, but mine would be players not giving maximum effort, players complaining to the refs, parents complaining/yelling at the refs and parents standing behind me trying to peek at my recruiting book.

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

Our recruiting questionnaire online OR an Email containing resume, film, references with contact info, grades…etc. OR having your HS coach/club coach reach out to me by phone or email.

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

Spelling errors, especially if it’s the name of the coaches college/university. They should avoid the length of the email and unnecessary information.

How would you describe your coaching style?

My coaching style would be best described as a player coach and a solution-oriented coach. If something is not working, I am not stubborn or stuck in my ways, I like having open conversations with my players and collaborating. The reason I recruit so hard is so I can have the best talent at my disposal, and that includes their lacrosse minds!

Walk us through your timeline when recruiting a student-athlete?

Evaluate/identify juniors during the fall recruiting period. Bring top kids to campus for unofficial visits during Oct/Nov/Dec. Bring top kids and other recruits back in spring for overnights and to watch a practice or game. Use May/June/July to watch recruits and identify any new talent. Have the class pretty much figured out before August heading into their senior year.

What kind of players succeed at your program?

The kind of players that succeed at Ithaca College are committed individuals who hold themselves and teammates accountable. Our players have a vision for where they want to be come May, and it involves Memorial Day weekend and a NFL stadium, so our program consists of hard workers, goal setters, competitors, and talented lacrosse players!

Once again, thanks to Nick for his time, and best of luck to Ithaca this season!

Ithaca will be in attendance at the D3 Winter Lacrosse Showcase on January 15th (MLK Day). Join Coach Hourigan and other college coaches at D3 Winter Showcase.

Coach Hourigan 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!