Although she is not a Tenacity alumni, Allison Daley is a prime example of someone whose tenacious attitude has brought her a great deal of success in the lacrosse world. Daley is an IWLCA Regional All-American, MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, and three-time All-MAAC goalie during her time at Canisius College (2008-2011). After a very successful 4 years as a goalie, Daley decided to continue to spread her love for the game and become a coach. While coaching at Canisius College, the University of Delaware, and Binghamton University, she lead all defensive programs through record breaking seasons. Daley will also be representing Team Canada at the FIL Women’s Lacrosse World Cup in Guildford, England this summer.
What is it like playing for Team Canada?
“Representing your country is one the highest honors you can receive. Trying out and playing for team Canada has been a tough yet rewarding process. Playing on the senior team and coaching Division I college lacrosse takes a lot of time, balance, and sacrifice. It’s important to find a good schedule to continue to train and balance your work schedule.”
“Playing with Team Canada has helped me grow as a player and coach. I am surrounded by some of the best players and coaches in the world, so it has been a great growth opportunity for me to learn from the best.”
“Being a part of a national team, it’s a reminder each day that you are representing so many people. You represent the people that got you to this place, the ones that have supported you, your teammates and your coaches. You are a part of something so much bigger than yourself and putting on the jersey Team Canada logo is a reminder of that each day.”
How has playing for Team Canada helped you with coaching?
“Being with Team Canada, I have had the chance to play with some of the best lacrosse players in the world. Just learning from them through this process has helped me elevate my game and ability to learn and take things from them, whether it be teaching points or watching them on the field.”
“In addition to the players, our coaching staff is one of the best in the world. Being around them each training camp has shown me that there is so much more to the game I have to learn and it’s important to never stop learning. They are so intelligent and some of the greatest lacrosse minds out there, learning from them has helped me think differently about the game and helped me to grow as a coach.”
What made you want to coach college lacrosse?
“My college coach, Scott Teeter, was the one who helped influence me to coach. My time at Canisius, he made a huge impact on my life and truly cared about myself and my teammates. Knowing how much of an impact a college coach can have on their players is one of the reasons I wanted to coach and can only hope to have half the impact on the players I coach that he did on me.”
“Lacrosse is one of my passions and after I stopped playing, I wanted to stay in the game and coaching was a way for me to stay involved and give back to the game.”
What things do you look for while recruiting?
“We evaluate our recruits based on our team values and what we look for in a player and compare those values to the needs of our team. With the addition to on field talent, it is important to evaluate their worth ethic, respect of teammates, family and coaches. We do our homework to ensure that we know as much about the prospective-athletes as possible to ensure that they will fit well with the culture we have established.”
What is some advice you would give a younger version of yourself?
“To be confident and believe in what you can do. There are going to be times where there are going to be ups and downs, but it’s only going to make you better in the long run.”
“To also, be patient in your athletes and let them know you care about their development as a person and an athlete. Allow them to help you grow as much as you help them grow.”
What does the word tenacity mean to you?
“Tenacity means to persevere and to not give up. To fight with determination until you get the job done no matter what the circumstances are.”