THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 1996 TAG: 9604230164
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 30 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
In the summer, Tom Edwards is at the football field almost daily, fine-tuning his place-kicking style.
In the fall, he is practicing with the Hampton Roads Sharks semi-pro football team.
In the late winter, he begins drills with his Catholic lacrosse team.
Springtime is lacrosse season, and the Crusaders practice or play each weekday.
Off the field, Edwards is three months shy of meeting the requirements for his Virginia State Teaching License. He student teaches at Bayside daily.
Edwards, a native of South Hampton Roads, has spent three seasons as a place kicker with the Sharks. He played for them in the 1990 and 1991 season, spent 1993 with Lynchburg, then returned to Hampton Roads last year.
``I've never been the Sharks' number one gun,'' Edwards said. ``I really like it. It's something I enjoy. I've found a niche. It's something I can be somewhat selfish with in terms of developing myself, but it's also a good opportunity to work with a team.''
Edwards' high school crowd would probably be surprised to see him on the field with the Sharks. A self-proclaimed late bloomer, he never played football at First Colonial. He was simply too small.
Edwards began inching up at Hampden-Sydney and joined the football team as a kicker. By the time he got the hang of the job, it was graduation time.
``I felt I was just coming into my own,'' Edwards said. ``I was just learning.''
Burning to test himself, Edwards discovered the Sharks.
``I just wanted to try to do something more with my football career. I wanted to see how far I could go and see what my real abilities were. I thought this was a good outlet.''
After two years of playing with the Sharks, Edwards moved to Lynchburg. He joined the inaugural Lynchburg squad, but tried to remain incognito when the team came to Hampton Roads.
``The first field goal I kicked for them was the first franchise field goal,'' Edwards said. ``It was against the Sharks at Foreman Field. It was a miserable night. I remember how much bigger they were and how many more players they had. In the warm-up, I kept my helmet on. I didn't want anybody to know it was me. I didn't want to give them the chance for any sort of revenge. After the game, I talked to all the guys.''
Edwards, 27, wants to play for the Sharks again this season. He said he likes what second-year owner T.J. Morgan has done for the program. And he feels he has more to accomplish.
``I think this could possibly be my best season,'' Edwards said.
He also has great plans for his Catholic career. Edwards began coaching the Crusaders' lacrosse team when it started play last season. Although he had never played lacrosse, he has attended camps and received countless pointers from Hampden-Sydney coach Ray Rostan.
``He is a super coach,'' Edwards said. ``I've been fortunate enough to work with him at camps. I sold myself at Catholic because I thought I could start a program.''
And he did. The Catholic administration bit the bullet and created the sport at varsity status last year. Top-grade equipment was purchased. Players began training.
Facing programs with more experienced players could have been tough on the Crusaders, but Edwards has tried to keep a positive spin on it.
Edwards has no problem with strategy. What he had to learn is to adapt it to a ninth-grade level.
``It's very similar to a dozen other sports,'' Edwards said. ``I'm not really perplexed by simple strategies. I had to learn the intricacies, watch films, read books and ask people questions. It's amazing how in the lacrosse community, how friendly, helpful and well-connected everyone is.''
The main challenge for Edwards has been coaching on a high school level. Strategies that are a basic core of his sports knowledge - if you're double-teamed, somebody is open - are new to his players. Edwards said at first he was unprepared for it, but has adapted. Now he tries to focus on what he knew in high school, and go from there.
Edwards claims he lacks the fire-and-brimstone to whip-up his players for a second-half charge. He tries to inspire a work ethic in practice that will carry over into the games. And remains positive - as long as his players are giving their best.
``I'm having to find out how to teach them in a positive way,'' Edwards said. ``I get upset with them sometimes, but only because of a lack of exertion. All I can ask is that they try their hardest. I've been really lucky having kids that do.''
Last season, Catholic was 1-10 with five starting freshmen and two eighth-graders on the field. This season, the Crusaders are 0-8.
Edwards has worked hard to teach his players that it is not the outcome, but the effort, that matters. And the attitude they carry off the field.
``I told my players at the beginning of the season that 10-20 years from now, they're not going to remember what their record was,'' Edwards said. ``They're going to remember whether they had a good time. I want to make sure that they always have fun.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
Tom Edwards, left, is a versatile guy. Above, as lacrosse coach at
Catholic High, he discusses strategy with his players during a
practice session. In the fall months, he is a place kicker with the
Hampton Roads Sharks, a semi-pro football team. And this spring, he
is a student teacher at Bayside, working toward his Virginia
teaching certificate.
by CNB