March 20, 2019 at 1:34 p.m.
New RHS girls' soccer coach Kotula brings back 'Midnight Madness' practice
New RHS girls' soccer coach Kotula brings back 'Midnight Madness' practice
That was exactly the case for the Hodags who, with spring break beginning, kicked off their first practice of the season at the first minute possible Monday - the first day girls' soccer teams across the state could begin preparations for the upcoming year.
It was the first in-season day on the job for longtime assistant Richard Kotula, who became only the second head coach in the program's history, stepping in for the retired Dan Millot.
The midnight madness practice was something Millot had instituted a couple of times late in his tenure, and a tradition that Kotula brought back.
"We were hoping that we are the first Wisconsin team to practice," he said. "The reason for this is the kids are excited. They came to practice, even though it's spring break. They came. They were excited. There was lots of energy and we just want to start the season right.
"We've done it in the past and it was very successful in the past. I felt this even last night, when we had practice, it was a very successful practice. It got the kids pumped up for the season. It also brings a message to everyone else that we are ready to continue our strong tradition."
That's been the approach that the program has taken since November, when Millot announced he was stepping down as head coach of the boys' and girls' soccer teams after more than two decades on the job. Continuity has been the buzzword, and that was reiterated Monday when the team got back to the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium for its afternoon practice.
"It's exactly the same spin," Kotula said. "When we started planning practice and the goals for this season, we are not changing anything. We know coach Millot created a very successful program. The fundamentals are there. There's nothing we need to change. We just need to continue the strong tradition, and the strong program."
The biggest drawback to the start of practice is that it coincided with the start of spring break in the School District of Rhinelander. While no school meant that the team could hold a midnight practice without worrying about getting players to class Monday morning, a large numbers of players were out of town on vacation. There were only 10 players at both of Rhinelander's Monday sessions, but Kotula estimated at least two-thirds of his roster was out of town.
"They got a list of exercises to stay in shape and, hopefully when we get back from spring break, it's going to be full-out preparation, because the next week we're going to be playing games, if the weather cooperates with us," he said.
The silver lining, according to Kotula, is that they players who stuck around this week have received plenty of individualized coaching.
"We're just working individually," he said. "It's actually a good thing because, with less numbers, as coaches we can devote a little more time with players, working on the fundamentals. It gives us an opportunity to work with students one-on-one, which is a little bit rare with a bigger group. It's a benefit to the kids who are here."
While some snow has been removed from the RHS soccer fields, the team is still at the mercy of Mother Nature in terms of when it can get outside. The Hodags are scheduled to host Merrill April 1 and travel to Wausau West April 2. While those games are in doubt, the team is scheduled to make a Milwaukee swing to play Hartford April 5 and Pewaukee April 6 - meaning the team will likely be on the pitch much sooner than last year when it did not play its first game until April 21.
"We've been here before with this kind of environment," Kotula said of the prospects of a few weeks of indoor practice. "Other schools in the region are dealing with the same situation. We're in the same boat, it just depends how we can practice indoors. There are possibilities indoors where we can practice on our touches a little bit better. The surface is very fast so the ball bounces faster. It gives the kids an opportunity to have better control of the possession."
Monday marked the first official day for girls' soccer and baseball teams to practice statewide. The majority of spring sports are now in action.
The exceptions are boys' tennis and golf which will begin practice March 25 under WIAA regulations.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.