Since McDermott’s arrival in 2017, he has not only rebuilt the team’s roster, but the collective culture. A culture, built on commitment to a process of daily self-improvement for the benefit of the team, love and respect. His mantra of ‘Playoff Caliber’ is something that has completely embraced the players.
“It was just what he would keep saying,” Pat DiMarco said. “Boys would hear it, but would not always live it. Now it’s our nature. It’s like that proverb. First you form the habit, then the habit forms you. So it’s a habit now. You come in here and ‘ Playoff Caliber ‘is the standard. Not just on the field, but in the weight room, the meeting space. Playoff caliber is what we do every day. Men work their tails off.
“Probably the second biggest thing he proclaims is your love for the man next to you. You will sell out, not for yourself as your contract, but for the man next to you and his family and his well-being. There’s just a lot to it. “If you care and you love the boy you play, you will only play so much better.”
