USA Profile: Chris Eck
Face-off Midfielder
Professional Team: Boston Cannons
College: Colgate ’08
Chris Eck might be another product of lacrosse’s focus on the major powers and missing out on the work other conferences are doing in the college ranks. To most fans of the game, Eck has been a name that has flown under the radar. Look at his production in college and it is hard to believe that he has been flying that low.
Eck ranks third all-time in the history of the NCAA in face-off wings with 658. That ranks him first in Colgate history and certainly helped propel the Raiders to new heights in their programs history. On top of which, he was a four-time All-Patriot League honoree and twice selected to the All-Tournament team. The last of these honors was in helping Colgate win their first Patriot League lacrosse title in 2008.
After missing his freshman season due to injury, Eck played a significant role in the success of Colgate lacrosse and helped establish them as a household name to college lacrosse fans. Certainly that helped in their ascension in the recruiting game and helped Peter Baum and Ryan Walsh. In fact, Matt Lalli and Brandon Corp can attest that his domination in the face-off circle led to their ability to register the great careers that they had while at Colgate.
Onto professional lacrosse where Eck only played in one game his rookie year. In that game though, he went 23-27 and registered four ground balls. The light was shining on the fourth round selection of the Boston Cannons. The next season Eck came into his own and into the starting line up. He ended that season second in the league with a 55 percent average.
The next two seasons would be accumulation of years of work for Eck. In 2010, he garnered All Star status in making it to the mid-season match up of the leagues finest. To top that off, in 2011 he led the league in face-off winning percentage. Eck won over fifty percent of his face-offs during Championship Weekend to help the Cannons take home their first championship. Now Eck was two for two on helping his teams win their first championships. Colgate check, Boston check.
Where does this lead Chris Eck? Now sponsored by Maverik Lacrosse and the founder of his own lacrosse club, the Advisor for PriceWaterhouseCoopers is doing a lot with his time. He still battles and competes to achieve his highest level, which has led him to make the roster for Team USA.
There are few honors that are so great in sports and so few have that opportunity. After Geoff Snider took over the Gold Medal Game in 2006, there has been a focus for Team USA to have the best face-off game in the World. That focus has all eyes on Eck, who will lead Team USA against the World on his home turf. Having the games in the United States also helps Eck prove that he is one of the best in the World at his craft, if not the best. A role that he certainly welcomes heading into July in Denver, Colorado.
—Brian Davies
@briandavies15
