Story by: Amber Lynch
MONTEVALLO, Ala. – For former student athlete Crystal Williams lacrosse has always been a part of her daily routine. Now, it has become a new job. Williams is from Cooper City, Florida, and was an esteemed midfielder on the women’s lacrosse team at Montevallo.
Recently, she has stepped up as the assistant women’s lacrosse coach at the University of Montevallo. Some would say the transition is seamless. Williams walks us through this transition and what it is like to go from being a teammate to becoming the new assistant coach.
“I am super excited to be here.”
Crystal Williams, Women’s Lacrosse Assistant Coach
“There is no such thing as a typical day,” she says. “Every day is different”. Being an assistant coach demands a flexible schedule. “It depends on the team’s schedule for the day,” she says.
Some of her objectives during the week include practices, conditioning, managing study hall hours, speaking with recruits, paperwork, scheduling, and making practice plans for the team.
Williams describes the job opening as “perfect timing.” Williams has been with the program for five years and wants nothing more than to see the program flourish. “I want to grow the program,” she says.
She has been a starter and well-respected team member during her time at UM. She loves being with the team and working with her former coach, Adrianna Piontek. It has been an easy transition for her from student athlete to assistant coach, she says. Although there are longer days and the schedule is more demanding, she enjoys her new position.
“She’s done great.”
Adrianna Piontek, Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach
Piontek is entering her fourth year as the head coach at UM and has been coaching Crystal since she got on campus. This was an easy transition for her since she was an athlete at UM and is already aware of the team dynamic.
“There are a lot of little things that you have to learn and get the hang of when you step into the role as a coach, but she’s picked them up really quick,” Piontek says.
Piontek adds, “We got to spend time together outside of school over the summer.” This has made the transition from being Crystal’s coach to now being her colleague and friend easier. Since she has been a part of the team prior to becoming the assistant, Williams is aware of the expectations of the team, how practice is managed, communication styles, and many other factors essential to team success.
“Having known her for the past four years has made this process really easy,” Piontek says. “I know how to communicate with her, and I think she feels comfortable enough to communicate with me as well.” Communication has always been a big emphasis on this team, and Williams has already been building that relationship between the two of them prior to becoming the assistant.
“We work with strength and conditioning a lot.”
Crystal Williams, Women’s Lacrosse Assistant Coach
Williams graduated from the University of Montevallo with her bachelor’s and master’s in exercise and nutrition science. She says having that knowledge has been a positive as the team prepares for the spring lacrosse season.
“We work with strength and conditioning a lot” she says. “They go hand in hand.” She knows how and when to apply what she has learned from her time at UM to practice and drills. This will continue to be beneficial to the team’s success.
Williams has been implementing her degree at practices with speed and agility work to help progress the team. “As far as conditioning goes” she says, “Coach Piontek has asked me for more input on what we do.” She can implement scientifically-based research to practice, including scheduling high and low intensity days to prepare her athletes for competition.
The biggest struggle for Williams has been knowing when to draw the line between player and coach. She was a captain for two seasons during her time on the team, and finding the balance in constructive criticism and being a friend is something she has been continuing to work on.
“After knowing some of the girls for a couple years,” she says, “it’s hard to say that they are doing good as coach, not just as a friend.” She wants to show she is proud of her players as a coach that is wanting to see the team succeed, rather than friend, adding only positive feedback.
“There are a lot of things I didn’t know about coaching,” she says, “that I do know now.” Williams has the tenacity and perseverance from her time as an athlete to help her be successful in her new position. Williams is up for the challenge and is excited to see the progress the team will make this season. Overall, “I am super excited to be here” she says.
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