October 25, 2003
Greetings to SUNY Potsdam’s Women’s Lacrosse Alumni.
We hope this letter finds you all happy and healthy. My name is
Lauren Bruce and I am entering my first year as Head Coach of
the program. I was previously at Hamilton College where I lead
my lacrosse team to two straight appearances in the NCAA’s
Elite Eight game, for the first time in the school’s history.
During my three years there, the lacrosse team’s reputation
went from one end of the spectrum to the other. My intentions
as head coach here, are to do the same for these girls, to turn
this program into a competitive one.
The program is still relatively new here at Potsdam, and we are
working hard to create new traditions. Jen Prevost broke the Potsdam
record of most season points this past year with 30 goals and
9 assists. With her talent on the attacking end accompanied by
her Senior Captain, Sallie Gilliland, my expectations reign high
for the 2004 season. Our defensive end will be led by our Junior
Captain, Hope Horton, who has earned the teams respect quickly
with her strong work ethic and natural abilities. The girls have
been working hard at improving their fitness and skills during
the off season in order to compete in our conference come March.
I am proud of the work they have done on their own and look forward
to working with them again in the Spring.
It is our goal to constantly build the strength of the program
by bringing in dedicated student-athletes. Recently, SUNY Potsdam
added a new turf stadium to campus for the soccer and lacrosse
programs. This surface is different from the traditional turf,
providing a surface similar to grass. The new stadium will allow
us to get outside to practice earlier in the season. We are also
excited about our spring training trip to Disney's Wide World
of Sports in February. This trip will provide us with a unique
experience. We will be able to compete against teams from different
areas of the country and bond together as a team.
SUNY Potsdam Women’s Lacrosse is enthusiastic about the
future and we would like you all to be a part of it. There are
several ways to become involved. First, we are looking to improve
on our fan support. We do not always receive the amount of community
and student support we would like. We would love to have you attend
any home or away games. It would be a great opportunity to see
some of your faces again, or meet you and hear your memories as
a Potsdam lacrosse player. Another way to support the program
is through a personal monetary contribution. These allow us to
better our program through field maintenance, travel, and equipment.
I feel that to continue to build our program, we must continually
advance.
I am asking that you join me in giving to SUNY Potsdam Women’s
Lacrosse. Unfortunately, the budget does not have sufficient funds
to allow for all the opportunities we would like to provide for
our athletes. We are busy organizing fundraisers in order to enhance
the program above and beyond that of the budget. I ask you to
please consider a gift to Potsdam’s Women Lacrosse, to make
it possible for this year’s members as well as those in
the future to share in the same opportunities as you once had.
Enclosed is a pledge card and return envelope for your consideration.
Please make your check out to Potsdam College Foundation, with
your memo to Women’s Lacrosse. Feel free to contact me with
any questions, at 315-267-2322 or brucele@potsdam.edu.
My hope is that all of you have fond memories of your playing
days here at Potsdam. I hope to provide a positive experience
for all the athletes that go through our program. I want to thank
you all for your dedication and commitment to the program. I wish
you all a wonderful future. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Lauren Bruce
SUNY Potsdam
Women’s Lacrosse and Soccer Coach
