The reigning champions of Division III lacrosse, the Tufts Jumbos, are gearing up for the 2025 season. As they prepare for the upcoming spring, they’re facing a unique challenge. Due to NCAA regulations, DIII teams are limited in the number of full-team practices they can hold with their coaches. This rule is intended to prevent DIII athletics from becoming too intense and allowing student-athletes time away from their sport. However, teams often find ways to work around this rule by holding “optional” captain’s practices.
One such practice, led by a Tufts alum who completed the Navy’s Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training program, ended in disaster. The 45-minute workout pushed 12 out of 50 players to the hospital, diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition. Five players remained hospitalized days after the incident.
The trend of sports teams incorporating Navy SEAL training into their preparation has become increasingly popular. Coaches often draw parallels between athletics and war, using phrases like “going to battle.” While there may be some similarities, the two are fundamentally different. Athletics should not be compared to the intensity and danger of war.
As someone who played DIII lacrosse and experienced Navy SEAL-led workouts, I believe it’s essential to keep things in perspective. Tufts may be a top-tier DIII program, but at the end of the day, it’s still just DIII lacrosse. Most players were not stars in high school, and the competition is not on the same level as professional sports.
There’s no need for DIII lacrosse players to push themselves to the point of physical breakdown. A balanced approach to training, focusing on fundamental skills and fitness, is more than sufficient. It’s time to stop trying to prepare for combat and focus on the game itself. Here’s to hoping the affected players make a full recovery and that those responsible for the ill-fated workout learn from their mistakes.
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