A relationship that began 30 years ago on the lacrosse fields of British Columbia took on a new dimension Tuesday when Colorado Mammoth general manager Steve Govett introduced his best friend, Gary Gait, as the Mammoth coach.
The team’s quest for a National Lacrosse League championship may depend on the strength of that friendship as much as increasing its goal-scoring average.
“We have a great relationship,” Gait said. “We developed a chemistry playing together.”
The benefits: a shared approach to the importance of team chemistry and emphasizing the importance of defining and accepting roles.
Yet potential weakness lurks – namely, being blinded by friendship.
Govett, who fired coach Jamie Batley, is convinced he has the stomach to tell Gait when he’s wrong because he has done so the past five seasons when Gait was a player. Gait, in turn, has reined in his boss when necessary.
“My eyes are open,” Govett said. “The biggest difference in this situation is that I trust 100 percent in Gary as a leader. Being friends is one thing; trusting someone to tell the truth is another.
“We’ve had to have difficult discussions. We don’t get upset; it’s business. We can be honest enough because we respect each other.”
Terms of Gait’s contract were not disclosed.
Govett and Gait disliked each other initially, as members of opposing youth lacrosse teams. At 18, Gait and his identical twin, Paul, left for Syracuse, where they rewrote the record books. Govett worked for three years, then enrolled at Radford in Virginia, becoming the all-time leading scorer.
From 1994-98, they reconnected as teammates for the NLL’s Philadelphia Wings. Their friendship grew on and off the floor as they shared philosophies, driving together to practices and games.
Gait left to play in Baltimore, which relocated to Pittsburgh while Govett became the Wings’ general manager in 1999. With the Pittsburgh franchise trying to relocate to Washington, D.C., in 2001, Gait telephoned Govett, luring his friend to the Beltway to be GM and a part-owner with Gait. After two seasons in D.C., the GM/superstar player pair moved to Colorado to start the Mammoth under owner Stan Kroenke.
Gait, who retired April 22 and was inducted into the inaugural NLL Hall of Fame on June 16, is taking over a team that lost its last four games and finished 8-8.
“I wish we had won the championship and maybe I’d be here as Steve’s assistant GM,” Gait said. “Unfortunately we didn’t, and I’ve been given this opportunity. I want to lead Colorado to a championship. That’s my goal.”
Eight Mammoth players attended the news conference and expressed confidence in Gait and the promise of having better defined roles next year.
