University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Collar Blue Hens Embracing 'Hard Hat' Mentality
3/28/2019 9:05:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Construction.
It's a word that causes stress at its very mention. It's a long, hard, often painstakingly difficult process that not many enjoy.
It takes hard work. It doesn't happen overnight. It often comes with obstacles along the way.
However, those involved in the construction business know the end goal and know the process will turn into something great.
The University of Delaware men's lacrosse team is seeing that process unfold on a daily basis with the renovation of Delaware Stadium happening during their practices and games.
It also serves as an analogy to what has been happening over the past two years since the arrival of head coach Ben DeLuca and his staff.
Ever since DeLuca and his staff arrived, a "hard hat" mentality has been preached on a daily basis. Twenty-five games into the renovation, the Blue Hens find themselves off to their best start in 2008, but the mentality hasn't changed.
"We've embraced the mentality that we know we have to show up every single day and get better. The work needs to be put in because we're not anywhere close to where we know this program can be," senior captain Joe Eisele said.
With jackhammers, bulldozers, cranes, blowtorches and the like going at it every day, the Blue Hens have bought into the hard hat approach.
"We love it to be honest. Hearing the jackhammers and seeing the bulldozers rumbling through, it really gets us going. We know that hard work can beat talent any time you step on the field and that's what we have to do. We have to out work teams. We have to scrap and we have to fight if we're going to accomplish our goals," Eisele said.
"I think our guys have really bought into the daily attitude of getting better every day and relying on their hard work. Being out here every day and having all the construction going on, in a way, it's fired them up and gives them some energy seeing what's happening out here on a daily basis," DeLuca added.
Like construction, the Blue Hens have faced adversity and been dealt different obstacles over the past two years, but the end goal has always been the focus.
"Every day we're reminded of the process that it takes to get to the end goal. The new stadium and the Whitney Athletic Center are going to be incredible for our student-athletes, but it takes time, it takes hard work and it takes a dedication to the process. That's exactly what we're focused on within our program. Understanding the process and putting in the hard work in order to reach our goals," DeLuca said.
