Maybe outlaw is the best way to describe Jim Beardmore.
After an unexpected departure from the area following accusations of hazing, the former Severna Park High boys? lacrosse coach has been welcomed in Colorado as the associate head coach of the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse.
“I?m having a ball right now. I?m traveling with and coaching the pros. I have my own local television show,” Beardmore said. “It?s good to be me.”
During his three seasons at Severna Park, Beardmore said he dedicated himself to his players. His desire to develop unity among the team, was scrutinized by former Severna Park principal James Hamilton and
ultimately resulted in Beardmore?s exit from the program.
In what Beardmore called a “team building” exercise, his players traveled to Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis for the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge into the Chesapeake Bay on Jan. 27. Several players who did not attend the event were drenched with water by their teammates outside of school shortly after the trip.
The soaked players were reportedly not upset. But Beardmore said Hamilton used the incident as grounds to not renew Beardmore?s contract as an emergency coach ?someone who is given a one-year contract when school officials cannot find a qualified faculty member.
“I sat down in the office and all I could think was ?I?m being railroaded,?” Beardmore said. “He was a poor and weak principal that was easily swayed by a small group of parents. The only people [hurt] in the whole thing were the players.”
The majority of the parents and students close to the program were outraged over the decision, saying Hamilton?s assessment was not in the best interest of the team.
“Everybody respected his dedication. The man has spirit and passion for the game and that?s what people appreciated,” Larry Sells, President of the Severna Park Athletic Boosters, said. “Parents appreciated his work ethic and the very large majority adored him and were not happy to see him go.”
Hamilton could not be reached for comment.
Beardmore took over the Falcons as an emergency coach just before the start of the 2004 season, shortly after former coach Brien McMurray resigned after one season. Beardmore led the Falcons to the Maryland 4A/3A state title in 2004. After Severna Park lost to Dulaney in overtime in the state final in 2005, the Falcons defeated Dulaney for their second state title in three seasons in 2006.
Though Beardmore was not allowed to return the following season, he was not out of a job very long. In March, Brian Reese, the general manager and associate coach of the Outlaws, hired Beardmore to help guide the second-year franchise. As co-coaches, Beardmore and Reese have guided the Outlaws to a record of 4-4, two games behind Western Conference-leading Los Angeles (6-2).
“My phone was ringing off the hook with support from players and parents. Then I got a call from [Outlaw goalie] Trevor Tierney about coming out to coach the team,” Beardmore said. “They say if one door closes and another opens. With me, one closed and three or four opened.”
It?s been a fitting rebound for Beardmore, who preaches to “adapt and overcome” during halftime pep talks.
“I was in my truck, I had my dog, Zeus, in the back, and as I was making that drive I took a deep breath and I said ?here we go,? Beardmore said. “You have to keep going in life and taking challenges.”
The Beardmore file
» High School All-American goalie at Severn School, 1982
» NCAA All-American goalie at Maryland, 1987
» ACC Player of the Year, 1987
» Five seasons with Pittsburgh Bulls of Major Indoor Lacrosse League
» Director of Nike Summer Lacrosse Camps and All-American Lacrosse Camps
