Andy Sweetman has been coaching lacrosse in Olds for about eight years. This year, he's going to coach again -- and for the first time, play the game as a member of the newly formed Olds Stingers senior C team.
He admits that at age 48, that could be a challenge.
"I've been hitting the gym the past couple of months, so giving it a whirl," he said during an interview with the Albertan.
"The nice thing about senior C is that it is still competitive, but at the same time, it's not as competitive as the higher levels of lacrosse are. So if you're not quite in the best shape you can still fit in with senior C. You can still play roles; certain areas on the floor you can play," he said.
This season will also enable Sweetman to have his Gordie Howe moment.
During the 1979-80 season, hockey legend Gordie Howe's final pro season, he got a chance to play with his sons Mark and Marty as members of the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros, then in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers.
This season, Sweetman will get a chance to play lacrosse with his two sons, Bryce Sweetman, 25, and Zachary Whitehair, 22.
"Both of them are now in the senior league, so they hadn't played together before either. So it'll be fun to play with them," he said.
Sweetman admits it's going to be physically punishing.
In lacrosse you're only allowed to possess the ball for 30 seconds, so it's a high-tempo game. The shifts tend to be in the 30-second range too.
Sweetman was asked if he thinks at 48 he can hang in there for a full shift.
"It depends," he said. "My role is going to be defence, so not as fast moving around, but yeah. The toughest part for me will be hustling to the bench and back," he added with a laugh.
Sweetman said defence is not as punishing as being a forward.
"It is a little easier, yeah, for sure. You've still got to know what's going on, but you're not chasing and you're not running near as much as if you're an offensive player," he said.
He also noted that in senior lacrosse he doesn't have to play every game.
Sweetman said he's not likely to be the oldest player out there either.
"There are a couple of guys in Calgary who are almost 60 and they're playing."
