There is no doubt that life can have its highs and lows and happy and sad mediums. Regardless of where you may be at on that spectrum right now, hearing testimony of someone else’s highs can be encouraging. Consequently, allow yourself to be blessed by accompanying me as I give you a tour of a recent seven-day stretch in the life of new Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) Head Lacrosse Coach Jason Rostan.

The stretch started May 5. His fourth-seeded Tigers were in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) tournament semifinals and had to face host No. 1 Washington and Lee University, the defending ODAC champions. H-SC simply dominated them, winning 19-10.

By guiding his team to this victory, Rostan, in his first season as head coach, helped the Tigers earn their 14th win of the season, a program record.

The next day, H-SC defeated No. 3 Lynchburg College 14-9 to win the program’s fifth ODAC Championship and first in 16 years, also securing its first trip to the NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Tournament in 14 years.

The previous four ODAC titles came under the guidance of Rostan’s father, Ray Rostan, the legendary H-SC head coach for whom Jason played and later served as an assistant coach for 13 years.

On May 8, Jason Rostan’s wife, Amy, gave birth to their second child and first son.

Two days after that, his Tigers hosted Transylvania University in the NCAA Tournament and won 23-8.

Rostan’s father was on hand for the game and said, “I’m proud of Jay … I just feel like he’s brought out a spirit in the team that surpasses anything I’ve done.”

On Thursday, May 11, Jason Rostan was named ODAC Coach of the Year.

In the midst of the seven-day stretch, he said, “It’s crazy, it’s crazy. It’s been awesome, though. Once we’re all through it, it’s going to be something to look back on, you know?”

Indeed, Coach.

TITUS MOHLER is sports editor of The Farmville Herald. His email address is Titus.Mohler@FarmvilleHerald.com.