USA Profile: John Galloway
Position: Goalie
College: Syracuse University
John Galloway certainly has made a name for himself in lacrosse quickly and in doing so has assured critics that he will be around for awhile. Syracuse certainly has produced a few good ones over the years and Galloway may be at the top of the list. What hasn’t he done for his team since his days in high school in West Genesee, NY?
The much talked about recruit came to Syracuse with a flare for the dramatic and a sure fire approach to offense starting from his end of the field. The book on Galloway had always started with an incredible passer, or can clear extremely well, or some sort of comment like that. He walked onto campus with a vacant goalie position, ready to challenge for the starting spot immediately.
Enter the spring season and there Galloway is starting in the net for the Orange. The Orange faithful can be tough critics, waiting to see what how far this true freshman would allow their team to go. Galloway ended the season on Memorial Day with his team hoisting the National Championship trophy. The win led him to be one of five true freshman players in goal to win a National Championship in their inaugural season of college sports. A good way to start a career at one of the most storied lacrosse programs to say the least.
A sophomore slump could have been in order, as a lot of freshmen are not used to the long season and the demands physically and academically. Galloway was certainly ready. The epic game to cap the season against Cornell was one that set national viewing audiences silenced as they could not believe the last fifteen seconds. As Cody Jamieson ended it, Galloway had left the stamp on the Syracuse for sure. He led the newly focused defense of a once offense first minded team to its second National Championship.
His last two years at Syracuse didn’t end in championships but it certainly was Galloway’s team. The defense listened to him barking out orders and demanding the best of his teammates on the field. His goals against average dropped every year in college, at least bleeding offenses to a GAA of 6.70 goals per game. The transformation of Syracuse from a run-n-gun style of play to a team that can play a methodical game and an up-tempo game was able to succeed because they had the foundation in net to handle the ebb and flow of the transition. That was John Galloway.
The two-time First Team All American and Academic All American took his talents to Major League Lacrosse next. Not the most vocal guy, certainly not the flashiest, Galloway and his quick release up field should have been a good fit in the league. After logging nearly 3800 minutes in the nets at Syracuse, he was a Rattler after being drafted 20th that spring.
He debuted in a tight loss in 2011, but led the defensive effort to be named the team’s Rookie of the Year that season. He endured a tough season, but it only made him a tougher contender for the best honors in the league and in the nation. Not only did the field general take his talents to the professional lacrosse ranks, he also took them to the college coaching ranks.
He coached at Duke University on their run to the National Semi-Final. He continued to build a resume assuring him a lengthy stay in the profession if he wants to keep it. Galloway helped two goalies that were in need of a position coach to help their teams be more successful. His work helped establish Kyle Turri as the starter and starting goaltender for last year’s National Champion. Now he is onto Providence where he hopes to help build the Friars into a national contender.
John Galloway has quietly built an extensive resume and now has the final piece maybe to complete it. Recently named to the national team, he will compete in Denver, Colorado this summer in the World Games. His leadership and unquestioned ability has won over his teammates from the start. Galloway has put his teammates in a position to be their very best and to achieve their very best.
