Talks Underway For A Nationals Move to Hamilton, OT

The Toronto Nationals of Major League Lacrosse could be on their way to Hamilton.

The Spectator has learned the club is in negotiations with McMaster University to play its games at Ron Joyce Stadium. The Nationals have also had discussions with Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. (HECFI) to handle some of their business operations

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Lacrosse Magazine Article

Posted in: Canada,MLL,Professional

Michigan A.D. Confirms Varsity Lacrosse in the Future

mgoblog.com

Normally 50-60 Alumni at the Toledo events, today there was 128 people.

DB (A.D. Dave Brandon) sees the Big 10 at 14 teams in the next couple of years, with 16 teams being possible. Only big name teams that have a large market share / successful in sports and in academics. He did not name names, but mentioned only a few schools fit that profile.

Going to be adding mega scoreboards / TVs in both endzones in the near future. Once the FB team is back to standards, 115K will be seen in the Big House.

Meets with RR (Head Football Coach Rich Rodriguez) every Sunday after games, they do have a very good relationship and RR understands the expectations at Michigan. Football drives the athletic department.

Will be expanding the athletic department…adding both men’s and women’s Lacrosse to get up to 27 sports.

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Posted in: College,Division I,MCLA,Michigan

Lacrosse Magazine Overview of D3 Schools That Should Have Men's Lacrosse

So let me get this straight: the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) has the wherewithal to sponsor 12 women’s lacrosse programs and just one has the ability to also field a men’s team?

Granted, I’m not able to delve into the proportionality numbers of these institutions, but am I supposed to believe that a point hasn’t arisen where men’s lacrosse has been a viable option among these 11 schools – Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Gannon, Indiana (Pa.), Kutztown, Lock Haven, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, West Chester?

It’s not like we’re talking about Wyoming or Arkansas.

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Posted in: California,College,Division III,Massachusetts,New Jersey,New York,North Carolina,Pennsylvania,Rhode Island,Virginia,Washington

Rattlers Return: Machine Move to Rochester

ROCHESTER, NY – RocLax LLC Owner & CEO Robert Clark announced today that Major League Lacrosse will be returning to Rochester for the 2011 season. The team, nicknamed the Rattlers, will feature the best players in the world and will play its home games at Marina Auto Stadium.

The Rattlers were a charter member of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) beginning play in 2001. In eight seasons in Rochester, the Rattlers compiled a 55-45 record capturing the National Division championship in 2004. The club’s greatest triumph came in 2008 when it won the MLL Championship, posting a 9-3 record en route to winning the Steinfeld Cup with a 16-6 win over the Denver Outlaws.

“The MLL is very excited to be returning to Rochester” said MLL Commissioner David Gross. The Rattlers had some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in the league and we’re thrilled that they will have the opportunity to enjoy MLL action again. We had the opportunity to work with Rob Clark and his staff this past summer and believe that Rob and his crew will do an excellent job growing the fan base in the region and running a first class operation.”

In addition, the club announced that B. J. O’Hara would be returning to lead the team as head coach. “B.J. O’Hara’s resume made him the obvious choice to lead the Rattlers” said RocLax LLC Owner and CEO Robert Clark. “B.J. was a huge part of the success the Rattlers realized over the years, culminating with a championship in 2008. We feel very fortunate to have B.J.”

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Posted in: Attendance,Canada,Division I,Facilities,High School,Media,MLL,New York,Ohio,Oregon,Professional,Rules

Southern California Adds Women's Lacrosse

Women's lacrosse will be added to USC's athletic program beginning in the 2012-13 season, Trojan athletic director Pat Haden announced today.

It will become the 21st NCAA sport sponsored by USC, and the 12th women's sport. Last year, USC announced the addition of women's sand volleyball, to begin play in the spring of 2012.

"We are `all in' for women's lacrosse," said Haden. "USC president Max Nikias was fervently behind the addition of this wonderful and exciting sport, which has made drastic inroads lately on the West Coast. We are adding women's lacrosse with the intention that USC will compete for a national championship.

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Posted in: California,College,Division I

MLL Commisioner Reveals Machine Will Have Permanent Home in 2011, and Expansion in 2012

Lacrosse All Stars: As MLL Commissioner, what is a normal day in your shoes like?

David Gross: I don’t think there is much that’s normal in a given day besides when I arrive and leave. I usually arrive between 7:30 am – 8:00 am and head for home around 6:00 pm so I can have dinner with my kids (ages 7 and 4). After I put them to bed I’ll usually hop on the computer to finish things up. Besides some structured weekly meetings with the league staff and our teams, my time is spent on a host of league matters that vary from the time of year and day. The month of September, there is a strong focus working on the league budget for the following year. So much of what we do here is a collaborative effort.

Besides the budget, on any given day I can be involved in talking to potential expansion ownership groups, looking at licensing opportunities and our own on-line store, dealing with legal paperwork, working on how to best utilize our marketing platforms, getting involved in our league special events (college draft, All Star Game, Championship Weekend), collaborating with our current league sponsors and seeking out new league partners, assisting our teams with any problems they may be facing, communicating with players in the league and working on our broadcast distribution and content.

In terms of strategic planning for the league, I find I spend more time on that when I’m in the car or out of the office traveling.

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Posted in: MLL,Professional

New MTV Series to Feature Lacrosse

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Posted in: College,Division III,Media,Ohio

Winthrop University to Add Women's Lacrosse

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Winthrop University Board of Trustee members voted Nov. 5 to add a women’s lacrosse team to its Division I program.

President Anthony DiGiorgio said a new coach would be hired next spring and a team assembled to play by spring 2012. “We’ve heard on our recruiting trips in the Northeast that this is a sport that high school students would like to participate,” said DiGiorgio. “Female lacrosse players nationwide have among the highest academic success rates. These athletes would like to continue playing at college, and they want to play at a good school.”

Winthrop added women’s soccer in 2003 because of a similar trend.

Lacrosse is gaining popularity in the South as other nearby universities have added the sport. DiGiorgio said the addition of women’s lacrosse at Winthrop would create increased opportunities for women’s participation in intercollegiate scholarship sports as defined in Title IX.

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New Programs, New Coaches

Men's Lacrosse: High Point Names Jon Torpey First Men's Lacrosse Coach

HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University's first head coach of men's lacrosse will be Jon Torpey, Athletic Director Craig Keilitz announced on Wednesday. Torpey will join the Panthers in June 2011 after successful stints as associate head coach at both Dartmouth and Denver.

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Coker College Announces Tony Smith as First Head Coach
HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College is pleased to announce the hiring of Tony Smith as the Cobras’ first ever men’s lacrosse coach. Smith will take the helm of the newly formed Coker lacrosse program starting December 1.

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