The 2015 Presidents Cup kicks off Monday in St. Catharines, Ontario as the defending champion Onondaga Redhawks take on the Catpital Axemen, who enter the tournament after winning the Quebec Senior Lacrosse League. The Redhawks look to repeat as champions for the first time since the St. Regis Braves won back to back titles in 2011 and 2012. However the 2015 Presidents Cup may be one of the deepest tournaments we’ve…
The Marketing of Professional Lacrosse and Its Players
If you build it, they will come. The famous quote from the baseball movie “Field of Dreams” has been proven over the history of professional sports. Just a little over a century after many of today’s pro leagues were formed, professional sports have reached a peak in popularity. The four major sports, along with college football and basketball, have become multi-million—in some cases billion—dollar operations. In an age of constant…
Swarm Retain Three Veterans in Free Agency
The Georgia Swarm have announced the team has re-signed defensemen Mitch Belisle and Alex Crepinsek to two-year agreements along with forward Josh Gillam to a one-year contract for the 2016 National Lacrosse League season. Belisle, 29, recorded five points (3G, 2A) and 66 loose balls in 17 games last season for the Swarm. Known for his energy and veteran leadership both on the floor as well as in the locker…
Quinn Powless on Pace to Be Ready For 2016
The New England Black Wolves have plenty of pieces that they did not have in the middle of last season. Andrew Suitor and Garrett Billings will begin their first full seasons as Black Wolves, but another member of the team has a chance to make an impact. Quinn Powless, a first round pick by New England in last year’s draft, was on fire before he was injured for the remainder…
Despite No First Rounder, Stealth Can Build Through Draft
Doug Locker was one of the more active general managers in the NLL offseason, adding a bevy of quality role players, young talent and another body in the crease. There are still holes in the roster, albeit relatively minor in comparison to this point last year – the NLL draft will be an opportunity for the front office to upgrade the overall quality of the roster. That process never stops…
NCAA Preparation For 2016: Ready, Set, Go…
School has started, or is about to start, for all the colleges and universities fielding Division I lacrosse teams and the anticipation is growing for the 2016 season already. It is an exuberant time to be on campus, with new faces joining the crop of seasoned veterans. There are some points of emphasis for teams coming into the fall season with hopes of reaching Memorial Day. Coaching Philosophy As a…
One on One With Chicago Outlaws Goalie Desmond Bailey
Desmond Bailey is the goalie for the CILL defending champion Chicago Outlaws. I sat down with Desmond to find out more about him, his team, and Box lacrosse in the Midwest. 1. Have you always lived in Chicago? Yes sir, born and raised on the north side of the Chi. 2. When did you start playing lacrosse? I started playing lacrosse sophomore year of high school after quitting baseball and…
CUFLA Countdown: McGill Redmen
As the final seconds ticked off the clock in the 2014 Baggataway Cup final, Head Coach of the McGill Redmen Tim Murdoch could only think to himself, “Why didn’t we play like we did in the final 10 minutes for the entire game?” In those final eight minutes, the Redmen scored seven unanswered goals to close an 11 goal gap, but unfortunately for McGill it wouldn’t be enough as the…
Knighthawks Bring Back Joel Matthews
The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have re-signed forward Joel Matthews to a one-year deal. The Knighthawks are bringing back the feisty forward after he posted career numbers in 2015. “It’s the best feeling. There is nowhere I would rather play,” said Matthews. “Playing with the Knighthawks last year was above and beyond my expectations.” Last season, the 24-year-old notched career highs in goals (4), assists (9), points (13)…
Scott Johnston Back With Rock After Lost 2015 Season
The Toronto Rock made the 2015 NLL Champions Cup where they were defeated by the then Edmonton Rush. The Rock were the best team in the eastern conference nearly all season, enduring several tough injuries. They started the season without former top scorer Garrett Billings, who they then traded. Captain Colin Doyle missed most of the regular season, and breakout star Rob Hellyer was injured at the end of the…