Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFH: Cathro brings hands-on coaching style to No. 2 Syracuse
By Conor Orr
Posted: 9/30/08, 11:26 PM EST Section: Sports
When Guy Cathro arrived in America last year, bound for Syracuse, he didn't get a typical ride back to his hotel room.
There at the airport, dressed head to toe in Syracuse gear was Orange field hockey players Shannon Taylor, Lindsey Conrad and Lena Voelmle, holding a sign that said "Guy," waiting to meet their new assistant coach for the first time.
"His flight was a little delayed, and we were sitting on the floor, holding a sign so he could be able to see who we were," Taylor said. "It was kind of awkward at first, but then we just jumped up like 'Hey!' and it all worked out."
Because of NCAA transfer regulations, Voelmle, Taylor and Conrad were not able to travel with the team during road trips so they were Cathro's official welcoming crew.
"He was a nice guy right off the bat," Taylor said. "We took him to where he lived and got him comfortable before the team was able to get back."
In his second year as an assistant coach for No. 2 Syracuse, Cathro's tough, hands-on coaching style has helped Syracuse steadily rise in the national ranks.
Cathro arrived in Central New York from his native Scotland, a place where he built a strong reputation for himself in the field hockey scene. As a player, Cathro reached the professional ranks at the age of 15, picking up the game from his parents - both avid field hockey players.
"Both my parents played, so I was always on the side of the field when they played just messing around with the hockey ball," Cathro said. "I started doing well when I was young and I started playing more and more."
After a string of injuries, Cathro then moved to the sideline, coaching both men's and women's club before mentoring international men's Scottish players.
But his big break came by chance after a phone call from fellow field hockey coach at Albany. Cathro's friend notified him of a job opening posted by Syracuse head coach Ange Bradley and before long the two were on the phone, discussing the game they love.
There at the airport, dressed head to toe in Syracuse gear was Orange field hockey players Shannon Taylor, Lindsey Conrad and Lena Voelmle, holding a sign that said "Guy," waiting to meet their new assistant coach for the first time.
"His flight was a little delayed, and we were sitting on the floor, holding a sign so he could be able to see who we were," Taylor said. "It was kind of awkward at first, but then we just jumped up like 'Hey!' and it all worked out."
Because of NCAA transfer regulations, Voelmle, Taylor and Conrad were not able to travel with the team during road trips so they were Cathro's official welcoming crew.
"He was a nice guy right off the bat," Taylor said. "We took him to where he lived and got him comfortable before the team was able to get back."
In his second year as an assistant coach for No. 2 Syracuse, Cathro's tough, hands-on coaching style has helped Syracuse steadily rise in the national ranks.
Cathro arrived in Central New York from his native Scotland, a place where he built a strong reputation for himself in the field hockey scene. As a player, Cathro reached the professional ranks at the age of 15, picking up the game from his parents - both avid field hockey players.
"Both my parents played, so I was always on the side of the field when they played just messing around with the hockey ball," Cathro said. "I started doing well when I was young and I started playing more and more."
After a string of injuries, Cathro then moved to the sideline, coaching both men's and women's club before mentoring international men's Scottish players.
But his big break came by chance after a phone call from fellow field hockey coach at Albany. Cathro's friend notified him of a job opening posted by Syracuse head coach Ange Bradley and before long the two were on the phone, discussing the game they love.
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