(Tempe, AZ) The Sun Devil Lacrosse program hosted it’s annual Alumni Weekend Oct. 7-8 and it yielded unprecedented results.
Over 20 alumni of the Sun Devil Lacrosse program and their families attended the festivities this weekend, which included a golf tournament, alumni game, team banquet, and a tailgate prior to the football game on Saturday. Head Coach Taryn VanThof has only been at Arizona State for a few months, but she has made the program’s relationship with alumi an immediate priority.
“Connecting with alumni is one of my favorite parts of the job,” Coach VanThof emphasized. “You get to build a community outside of what we do on a day-to-day basis. The support and excitement that surrounds alumni games and alumni involvement and engagement is exciting for not only those that have graduated but those that get to see the ones that played before them. It is part of our culture.”
The weekend started on Friday morning with the Sun Devil Lacrosse Golf Tournament organized by Sun Devil Club, which was a rousing success. The event was sold out, with participation reaching new heights. The supporters were then treated to a group lunch before returning to Tempe for the featured event of the weekend.
Three years ago, the first edition of the Sun Devil Lacrosse Alumni game featured the only two alumni of the program at the time. As Sun Devil Lacrosse has grown and evolved, so has the roster of the Alumni team. Over 20 graduates of the program joined in for the third year of the game, making it a friendly and competitive atmosphere.
“I was impressed with not just the play, effort, and hustle, but also the sheer numbers we have brought in in such a short amount of time of us starting this program,” Coach VanThof reflected. “The amount of alumni we had today out here is impressive, and it’s exciting.”
Following the completion of the game, the members of the program and their families headed to Papago Golf Course for a banquet celebrating the 2022 team. The festivities wrapped-up with a pre-game tailgate on Saturday morning, with the group getting together one final time before attending Sun Devil Football’s 45-38 win over No. 21 Washington. If you are interested in what type of impact you can make on the program, click here more information on how to support Sun Devil Lacrosse.
The current team is in the middle of the Fall practice sessions and acclimating to the new coaching staff. The adjustment period is going smoothly, with Coach VanThof pleased with what she has seen so far.
“I think the buy-in is beyond words,” Coach VanThof observed. “We’ve talked a lot about being in the moment-to-moment, playing in the moment and being intentional in what we do. I think every day, we’ve gotten better and that’s all you can ask for is just to see that progress and go put on a show when we play our alumni and play some competition this fall.”
The preseason continues with a Maroon & Gold Scrimmage in addition to Fall Ball games during the month of October, where the Sun Devils will have a chance to test themselves in live competition. By the time January rolls around, Arizona State will be firing on all cylinders and ready for VanThof’s first season at the helm.
While at the Alumni game, we caught up with a few fan favorites from their Sun Devil playing days. Continue reading for an update on former Pac-12 All-Conference players Emily Glagolev, Kerri Clayton, and Carley Adams (with special guest Paige McGlothlin.
Emily Glagolev (2018-22)
What do you miss most about being a Sun Devil?
“I think seeing the team everyday, getting to be around everybody. Especially living with the girls and going through the same stuff together. Definitely a lot of team aspects I miss a lot.”
How did Arizona State prepare you for life after college?
“It made it hard to leave which is a good thing. It definitely has gotten me prepared to be on a nice schedule. Working hard to achieve the goals that I have. Then knowing that I have a good support system is something to shoot for is anything that you do.”
What are you up to now?
“I’m finishing up my masters and will graduate in December. I’ve been coaching a club team out here, but that’s it.”
What are some of your first impressions of the coaching staff?
“They’re awesome, they bring such a good energy. From what I’ve seen all the girls have so much fun at practice which is huge. I think bringing new things is going to be a good opportunity for everyone.”
What does it mean that the program stays so connected to it’s alumni?
“It’s cool, we still have ten girls that live here who moved after college and stayed. Then the numbers each year grow and field our own team.”
What can we expect from this year’s team?
“It’s going to be so much fun, I’m excited and there’s a bunch of us living out here so we’ll try to fill up the stands as much as we can. They look good and fast.”
Kerri Clayton (2018-21)
What do you miss most about being a Sun Devil?
“Probably getting to see your friends and hanging out with them. Obviously, we were doing practice but you’re interacting with your best friends every day. There’s a handful of us who stayed and we still get together all of the time but it’s such a different atmosphere. I’m like oh my god I haven’t seen my friends in a couple of days, this is crazy. So just to get the team atmosphere and having that schedule knowing you and all of the people around you are doing the same thing.”
What are you up to now?
“I got a new job as an architect in Paradise Valley, so I’m doing residential custom homes. It’s been great, it’s really awesome and I love it and I meet with a lot of cool people.”
How did Arizona State prepare you for life after college?
“Definitely gave me all of the tools to be successful in an environment where I deal with a lot of people that kind of expect a lot out of me. I feel prepared and I don’t fall under the pressure of not feeling like I’m capable of handling a task at hand, so it’s been great.”
What are some of your initial impressions of the coaching staff?
“They’ve been very welcoming, they’ve been super involved with getting the alumni involved, which I think is awesome. The girls seem to love them and they bring a lot of energy and they’re great people, so I’m really excited to have them here.”
What can we expect from this year’s team?
“I’m excited. I think they will really compete and they’re definitely in a lot better shape than we are.”
Carley Adams (2018-21)
What do you miss most about being a Sun Devil?
“The girls. It was so good to be able to come back and hang out with the girls, all my friends, and playing lacrosse, of course.”
What are you up to now?
“I am in medical device sales for Piezo Surgery. I go into O.R. and help, which is really cool.”
How did Arizona State prepare you for life after college?
“I think it helps you get along and connect with all different kinds of people from different places. Aside from building network, it helps tune and build skills, and breeds hard work.”
What are some of your initial impressions of the coaching staff?
“They are very appreciative of the foundation, and we are super grateful for the hard work they are going to put into this program. I’m excited to see all of that come together this season. I’ll be their number one fan.”
Paige McGlothlin (2019-22)
What can we expect from this year’s team?
“I’m so excited. We’re their biggest cheerleaders. We love all of them so much and we can’t wait to see their success in the future. It’s going to be awesome.”
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Connor Smith
Click on Logo
