Sunday Lax Links

-Green Mountain College (D3 VT) Leaves NCAA for NAIA

-Lacrosse Coaches Show Staying Power in NCAA Study

-Northwestern Alumns Lead the Way in Inaugural Pac 12 WLax Tournament 

-Saugus High School (CA) Adds Lacrosse

-Growing Lacrosse in Georgia

-Atlanta Blaze Changes Ownership

-Lacrosse Hits Central Illinois

-Lacrosse Grows in Queens

-Box Lacrosse Still Has a Long Way to Go

-Casey Powell 18 Released for XBox

-Dallas Cowboys Players Try Lacrosse

-MLL Championship to be Held in Charleston, SC

-Somerville High School (MA) Adds Lacrosse

-Lacrosse Turning into Staple in Ohio

-As Sport Expands, Growing Pains in Maine

-Spreading Lacrosse in NYC

-Growing the Sport of Lacrosse in Northern Michigan

Posted in: Box Lacrosse,California,Coaching Hires,Conferences,Georgia,High School,Maine,Massachusetts,Michigan,MLL,NAIA,New York,Ohio,Postseason,Professional,South Carolina,Texas,Vermont,Video Games,Youth

Introducing Lacrosse to Atlanta Youth

Ever pulled off an “ankle breaker,” “around the world,” or used an “A” stick? L-R:Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Boys Lacrosse Coach Corey Carter, Decatur Army President Bert Miller, MLK High School Girls Lacrosse Coach Ramon Rivers. Most DeKalb County kids would say no. Bert Miller, who runs Decatur Army Youth Athletics, is hoping to change that so kids know the lingo of a sport most probably have never watched or played.

“Lacrosse is continuing to grow and as it remains an up-and-coming sport with youths across the country, I would like to get South DeKalb youths involved because it’s an untapped resource at this point,” said Miller, who hopes to begin offering free lacrosse clinics for elementary students by mid-September. “I believe we only have two high school teams in South DeKalb because a lot of the kids don’t even see the sport until high school. That has to change.

Full Article

Quick Hits:

-U.S. Lacrosse Concerned With Recruiting Process

-World Series Ratings Worst Ever

-Harlem Lacrosse Receives Scholarships 

-Lacrosse Trying to Make It's Way in South Dakota

-Richmond Hires It's First Coach

Posted in: Coaching Hires,Division I,Georgia,New York,Recruiting,South Dakota,TV Ratings,Urban Growth,Virginia,Youth

Growing Pains

With the announcement that the University of Dubuque (Division III Iowa) will be adding Men's and Women's Lacrosse the sport hit another benchmark as it continues its westward march. Dubuque represents the first NCAA lacrosse program in the state of Iowa and the first committed to begin in the 2013-2014 academic year. However, Dubuque's announcement that the program's first head coach, Jake Olsen, has no lacrosse experience except for 'being around the sport' while working as a football coach at Southern Oregon University forces those of us that advocate for growth to look in the mirror.

While Coach Olsen is probably a very nice person, and may give his best effort in coaching this program, there is still no question that he is not qualified to coach lacrosse at the collegiate level. 'Being around' lacrosse at a school that you worked at does not qualify you to be a head coach, even if you worked at Johns Hopkins, but especially not if you worked at Southern Oregon, an NAIA school where the program is a club sport. By hiring a part time head coach with no previous experience it calls into question Dubuque's commitment to lacrosse at their university.

But lets not single out Dubuque, they are not the first school that has chosen this route when adding lacrosse. Granted, for some programs starting up in non-hotbed areas it can be difficult to find a qualified head coach in their own backyard. With a regional applicant pool that is likely lacking the alternative is to pay a salary that can lure a qualified coach from outside the region, however some schools are obviously unwilling to do this, and thus you have the end result of a coach that has 'been around' some lacrosse.

So this may lead some to ask of a school such as Dubuque, why even bother adding the sport? Will Dubuque or other similar new programs be able to attract quality recruits with coaches that have little or no experience? Why even have a team if the commitment from the university is so lacking that it can't hire a coach that has coached at any level? The answer is money. Let's not kid ourselves, even though every week it seems a new school is going varsity at the Division III level, it's not simply because the school recognizes a national trend or is conceding to demand among its student body. In many cases it is because a school badly needs more 'heads in beds', and especially male heads since male enrollment has been downward trending in recent years. The lacrosse student athlete is very appealing to these schools due to their strength in academics and the financially sound families they typically hail from. The typical Division III university revenue model is much different than their larger counter-parts, and especially at private universities. With smaller endowments and less revenue sources these schools rely heavily on tuition to fund day-to-day operations. So understandably an opportunity to add 35-70 academically strong, out-of-state tuition paying, east coast student athletes is very appealing.

Now certainly there is nothing wrong with a university wanting to increase enrollment, generate more revenue, recruit in new areas of the country, and add academically strong students through the addition of lacrosse. However, a school should at the least ensure that these students will compete on a program that is well supported and appropriately staffed. If the 'Dubuque model' is what it is going to take to get the sport at universities in the most lacrosse-barren areas than so be it, but hopefully these schools don't forget that the student athlete experience should be paramount above all other priorities.

Posted in: Coaching Hires,Division III,Iowa,Viewpoint

University of Dubuque (D3 IA) Adds Men's Lacrosse

Becomes first NCAA school in Iowa and first for 2013-2014 academic year.

The University of Dubuque announces the appointment of Jake Olsen as head men's lacrosse coach and Offensive Coordinator in football for the Spartans. Olsen will lead the Spartans in their inaugural season of lacrosse in 2014. There are currently 206 Division III Women's Lacrosse teams and 179 Division III Men's Lacrosse teams competing in the NCAA.

Olsen, a native of Osage, Iowa joined the Spartans in 2011 as a coach for the wide receivers and as an adjunct professor in the Core Curriculum at UD. He Helped the Spartans to it's first IIAC title in football in 31 years. Previously Olsen was assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in football at Southern Oregon University working with quarterbacks and wide receivers (2006-10). He also coached 3 All-Americans and 14 All-Independent NAIA performers while serving as team's strength and conditioning coordinator.

Read More

Quick Hits:

-Should the MLL change their season?

-NLL's Wings use twitter handles on their jerseys.

-MCLA Magazine combines with Inside Lacrosse

-Mount Olive Hires First Coach

-Documentary on Arcadia's (PA) Elevation to Varsity Status

Posted in: Coaching Hires,Division III,Iowa,MCLA,Media,MLL,NLL,North Carolina,Pennsylvania,Professional

Lacrosse Movie 'Warriors Heart' Trailer Released

Quick Hits:

-NCAA Approves Changes to D-II Postseason

-1st Year Program Fla Tech Hosts Battle at the Beach

-Southwestern (TX) Add's Women's Lacrosse

-Alderson Broaddus Names First Head Coach

-St. Andrews Moves from NCAA DII to NAIA

-MLL and CBS Sports Network Agrees to Broadcast Deal

-NFL's Clay  Matthews Trys Lacrosse in Commercial

Posted in: Coaching Hires,Commercials,Division II,Division III,Florida,MLL,Movies,NAIA,North Carolina,Postseason,Professional,Texas,TV Coverage,West Virginia

Lacrosse Featured on Spike TV's 1000 Ways to Die

Beware, lacrosse stereotypes ahead

Jock Shock
Get More: Jock Shock

Quick Hits:

-Introducing Lacrosse to Cuba

-Crooked Arrow Lacrosse Movie Starts Filiming

-Growth on the West Coast of Canada

-Adding Women's Lacrosse on UGA's Radar

-Federation of International Lacrosse Recognizes Uganda

-Discussing MCLA Head Coaching Job Security 
(we've touched upon this before)

-Defining the Difference Between MCLA D1 and D2

-Connor Martin Spends Time With Harlem Lacrosse

-and Rabil Does East Boston with Metro Lacrosse

Posted in: Canada,Coaching Hires,Cuba,Division I,Georgia,International,Massachusetts,MCLA,Movies,New York,Stereotypes,TV,Uganda,Urban Growth

Denver Broncos Legend Terrell Davis Shoots On Cage, Speaks at Outlaws Game

Full Article

Quick Hits:

-DIII Report Raises Financial Aid Questions

-Bridgewater (VA) Has Programs First Head Coach

-Two Steps Forward, One Step Back for Michigan Lacrosse

-Ann Arbor HS Lacrosse Loses Varsity Status in Budget Cut

-New Laws Passed Related to College Recruiting

-Harlem Lacrosse & Leadership Gets Underway

-MLL Shot in Sports Illustrated Leading Off

Posted in: Coaching Hires,Colorado,Division I,Division III,High School,MCLA,Media,Michigan,MLL,Professional,Recruiting,Urban Growth,Virginia

Lacrosse gains popularity in the Tar Heel state (video)

CHARLOTTE -- A recent sporting goods manufacturer study says lacrosse grew by 37.7 percent last year. If it keeps up that pace, it will surpass ice hockey as far as total participation. As Charlotte prepares to welcome a new major league lacrosse team this fall, News 14 Carolina's Tim Baier reports it's a sport that's catching on in the Tar Heel state.

View Video Here

Quick Hits:

-Zazzaro Named First Head Coach at Rhodes

-Lacrosse Muscles Up

-What We Need to Grow the NLL

-Lacrosse Coverage in the WSJ

-Lacrosse Sticking Around in Southern California

-The Division 1 Unforgotten: NC State

-American Lacrosse Conference Welcomes Michigan (W)

-SDSU Reveals First Recruiting Class

-Mt. Union Names First Coach

Posted in: California,Coaching Hires,Conferences,Division I,Division III,Media,Michigan,NLL,North Carolina,Ohio,Tennessee,Youth

Beloit College (WI) Adding Men's Lacrosse, Hires Coach

Beloit, WI – Following a national search, Bob Dignazio has been named the first Head Coach of Men’s Lacrosse at Beloit College. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics and Recreation Peggy Carl.

"We have made history with Bob's hire as he becomes Beloit College's first ever Men's Lacrosse Head Coach and we could not be more thrilled that he has chosen to join us,” said Carl. "Bob knows what it takes to build a successful Lacrosse program and he will bring that knowledge with him as he builds Beloit's team from the ground up."

Dignazio comes to Beloit from Kenyon College in Ohio, where he served as the Lords’ Defensive and Recruiting Coordinator during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He also served one season as the Defensive Coordinator at Randolph-Macon College after graduating from Kenyon in 2008.

Full Article


Quick Hits:

-LEAPS Spreads Lacrosse to Two More Philly High Schools

-Michigan Announces John Paul As Head Coach

-Miami Dade Voting on Adding HS Varsity Lacrosse

-The Perils of an MCLA Coach

-Hendrix College, 7 Others Form New Conference

-Israel Recognized As FIL Member, Lacrosse Inches Closer to the Olympics

-Lindenwood Joins WILA For Lacrosse

-Hilbert Joins the NEAC

-Big South Adds Women's Lacrosse

-Lacrosse Featuring MTV Show Teen Wolf Debuts

-NCAA Feels Later Start Time Hurt Championship Attendance

Posted in: Attendance,Coaching Hires,Conferences,Division I,Division II,Division III,Florida,International,Israel,MCLA,Michigan,Missouri,Olympics,Pennsylvania,TV,Urban Growth,Wisconsin

Aurora University (IL) Prepares for Inaugural Year

The trouble with being the first at anything is there is no history to use for comparisons.

So for Brendan Dawson, Aurora University men’s lacrosse coach, thoughts of what he has coming back from last year simply do not exist since this will be AU’s maiden voyage in the sport.

There are indications the Spartans, who open the season Saturday at the College of Wooster, might be pretty good. AU dominated both Illinois State University and Judson in recent scrimmages.

“We did well in the scrimmages but we saw some things that we need to work on,” Dawson said.

Dawson, a graduate of Salisbury College where he was a member of four (2 as a player and 2 as an assistant coach) NCAA Division III national championship teams, was given the job of starting the AU program in June of 2009 and has spent the last 20 months recruiting and formulating his plans.

Full Article

Quick Hits:

-Calagry Roughnecks (NLL) May Fold

-Mercer Meets Jax U. For Battle of the South

-Charlotte MLL Ownership Asks Fans to Choose Name

-Ohio State Defeats UNC

-Lacrosse Team Tries To Find Space (Calgary)

-Debate Continues Over Whether Villanova Should go to FBS

-2nd Year WLAX Florida (#17) Defeats #20 Denver

-High Point WLAX Get's First Program Win

-D.C. Leaves High School Sports Running On Fumes

-Penn State A Sleeping Giant?

-U.Tampa Names First Coach

-Lacrosse Forums Celebrates 70,000 Members

Posted in: Canada,Coaching Hires,College,Division I,Division II,Florida,Georgia,Illinois,Industry,MLL,NLL,North Carolina,Ohio,Parity,Pennsylvania,Professional,Urban Growth,Washington D.C.

One New Conference and Two New Programs

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Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association formed

ALAMOSA, Colo.— Seven different NCAA Division II institutions from three states have joined together to form the Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, which has commenced operations this spring. Five men’s and four women’s teams founded the association, which has the philosophy “to promote men’s and women’s intercollegiate lacrosse for the mutual benefit of its member institutions by providing scheduling and recognition opportunities,” as stated in the recently ratified WILA bylaws.
Full Article 


Defiance C. Adds Lacrosse, Hires Marc Graham as Coach

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College athletics department has announced that it will add men's lacrosse in 2011-2012, with a full varsity season slated to begin in 2012-2013. Marc Graham has been hired to start the team, which will bring the number of varsity athletic programs offered at DC to 21.
Full Article



University of Tampa Adds Division II Men's Lacrosse Program

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa athletic department has announced the addition of a men's lacrosse program, which will begin competition in the spring of 2012. The team will compete at the NCAA Division II level, increasing UT's number of varsity sports to 18.
Full Article

Posted in: Coaching Hires,Colorado,Conferences,Division II,Division III,Florida,Ohio

What's Not to Like About Lacrosse? (Video)

Quick Hits:

-Marquette Announces New Coaches

-Q & A With New Marquette Coach Amplo

-D1 Mercer Creating a Buzz In Georgia

-Toronto Nationals Move to Hamilton

-NLL's Mammoth Activate MCLA's Martin

-MCLA's Michigan Defeats DIII Wittneben

-Florida Learns From A Lacrosse Legend

-More on MLL Move to Hamilton

-Winthrop W. Lacrosse on Hold to 2013

-NCAA Coaches Using Box Techniques on the Field

-MCLA Looking For New Championship Location

-NLL's Bandits Have Formula For Attendance Success

-Interview With Founder of Blax Lax

-Report: Tampa (DII) to Add Men's Lacrosse In Near Future

Posted in: Attendance,Canada,Coaching Hires,College,Colorado,Division I,Division II,Florida,Georgia,MCLA,Michigan,MLL,New York,NLL,Professional,South Carolina,Strategy,Urban Growth,Wisconsin

New MLL Charlotte Team President Speaks

Jim McPhilliamy has reason to be excited about a new Major League Lacrosse franchise in Charlotte, N.C. And, he has reason to believe the sport will succeed.

"The sport's growing tremendously here. Everybody's out throwing a ball around. There are nets everywhere," he says. "It's growing like wildfire."

Senior sports management executive Jim McPhilliamy led the efforts to bring the team to Charlotte. McPhilliamy will be the team president of the currently-unnamed franchise in Charlotte, he said over the phone late last week.

Charlotte and Columbus, Ohio, were tabbed by the league for expansion in 2012, Inside Lacrosse reported and the league later confirmed.

Full Story

Quick Hits:

-Hamilton Nationals Hire Coach

-Reviewing International Women's Lacrosse

-New Lacrosse Movie In Production

-South African Lacrosse

-Lacrosse at University of Idaho

-Interview with Wheel Chair Lacrosse Founder

-Lenoir-Rhyne Set for Inaugural Season

-Kyle Harrison in Finland

-French National Team Prepares for World Championships

-CBS College Sports to Broadcast Patriot League Lacrosse

-Mercer Impressive in First Ever Exhibition

Posted in: Canada,Coaching Hires,College,Division II,Division III,Finland,Georgia,Idaho,International,MCLA,MLL,Movies,North Carolina,Professional,South Africa,TV Coverage,Wheelchair Lacrosse

MLL Reveals Charlotte and Columbus Will Be Home to Next Franchises

Major League Lacrosse has approved expansion to Charlotte, N.C. and Columbus, Ohio for the 2012 season, according to Commissioner Dave Gross.

The league's Board of Managers met Friday and got the required 75% approval to add two new franchises.
Ideally, the league would like to expand to 16 teams by the end of the decade, adding two more in 2012, another two in 2013, and an additional six some time thereafter. The league has identified 19 potential markets to explore expansion, including Charlotte and Columbus.

Full Article 

Quick Hits:

-NLL Reaches Broadcast Agreement with Versus

-Interview with New USC Coach Munday

-US Lacrosse Discusses Western Growth

-Project MLL Texas

-Will Marquette Lacrosse Hurt Syracuse?

-Pro Lax Heads South

-Lax Tournament in New Zeland

-Charlotte Is For Lacrosse Lovers 

-Can Cal Lacrosse Be Saved?

-Piedomont (GA) Add's Women's Lacrosse

-Charlotte MLL Facebook

-MLL Comes to Columbus

-Columbus Welcomes the MLL

Posted in: California,Coaching Hires,College,Cut Sports,Division I,Division III,Georgia,MLL,New Zealand,NLL,North Carolina,Ohio,Professional,Texas,TV Coverage,Wisconsin

Mid Winter Links

The lacrosse world has been quiet lately but here are some links of interest that have popped up over the last couple weeks.

-MLL Teams React to New Draft Date

-USC Names It's First Coach in Program History

-What Men's Lacrosse Can Learn From Football

-Launching A Lacrosse Program in Minnesota

-DII Lacrosse May Be Close to Playoff Expansion

-AMC Names First Head Coach

-Interview with the English Lacrosse Association

-Box Lacrosse and Germany

-Toronto Nationals Remain Homeless

Posted in: California,Canada,Coaching Hires,College,Connecticut,Division I,Division II,England,Germany,High School,International,Minnesota,MLL,Professional,Rules

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Quick Hits:

-Oak Forest (IL) Makes the Pitch For Lacrosse

-How to Get Noticed if You're Not From a Hot Bed

-ESPN Radio Interview About Hawaii Inivational

-Thailand Lacrosse Goes Big Time

Posted in: Coaching Hires,College,Division I,Division III,Hawaii,High School,Illinois,International,North Carolina,Recruiting,South Carolina,Thailand

Cal Drops Women's Lacrosse

BERKELEY - University of California, Berkeley, Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau announced today (Tuesday, Sept. 28) a comprehensive plan for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics that will result in a broad-based yet sustainable program that continues to support the campus's commitment to excellence.

At the end of this academic year, baseball, men's and women's gymnastics, and women's lacrosse will no longer represent UC Berkeley in intercollegiate competition. In addition, men's rugby will transition to a varsity club sport, a newly-designated status at UC Berkeley.

In a letter sent today to the campus community, Birgeneau said the rugby team's history indicates that this change should not affect its competitive opportunities or abilities. He added that Cal rugby's unsurpassed excellence will be maintained through continued campus support in terms of admissions and through access to sports medicine and training facilities.

Together, these steps will generate an estimated $4 million in direct and indirect cost reductions for Cal Athletics beginning in the next fiscal year, while limiting future growth in expenses.

Full Article

Quick Hits:

-Nicky Polanco to be on MTV's Made

-University of Tulsa Starts Lacrosse Club

-NCAA Rule Changes Do Not Violate Anti-Trust Rules Says Court

-Inside Lacrosse Announces 2011 Events

-Albright Announces First Ever Head Coach

Posted in: California,Coaching Hires,College,Cut Sports,Division I,Division III,Media,Oklahoma,Pennsylvania,Rules

Competition From Established Major Sports Continues To Present Challenge For Popularity Of Lacrosse

Quick Hits:

-Florida Tech Hires First Head Coach

-Lacrosse Gaining Steam in Western Pennsylvania

-Massachusetts Wins First World Series of Lacrosse

Posted in: Coaching Hires,Division II,Florida,Pennsylvania,Professional,Youth

Video From Arkansas and Texas

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Quick Hits:

-New Lacrosse Club in Corpus Christi (TX)

-Lacrosse Growth in Arkansas

-Mexico Enters First World Championship

-Piedmont (GA) Hires First Head Coach

-Team USA To Appear on 'Today Show'

-Team USA Makes 'Today Show' Appearance

Posted in: Arkansas,Coaching Hires,College,Division III,International,Media,Mexico,Texas

Augustana College To Add Men's Lacrosse, Hires Head Coach

Augustana College (IL) has announced the addition of Men's Lacrosse to their sport offerings for the 2012 season.  They have also found their first Head Coach in Muhlenbergs Kyle Hart.  There has, for some time now, been speculation that Augustana would add Men's Lacrosse, partially because of a job posting on NCAA.org, as well as the buzz around their addition of a Women's Lacrosse program several months ago.

Posted in: Coaching Hires,College,Division III,Illinois