BALTIMORE – Lacrosse Magazine, a publication of US Lacrosse, announced Tuesday that Bill Tierney, the University of Denver’s men’s lacrosse coach, is the magazine’s 2009 Person of the Year.
In June Tierney shocked the lacrosse world and announced that he would be leaving Princeton, his home for the past 22 years, to head to the University of Denver. Tierney, who took Princeton to eight NCAA finals and won six NCAA titles as the head coach of the Tigers, has turned down several job offers in the past, but the one in Denver he says “felt right.”
“Bill Tierney’s move to Denver was just what lacrosse needed as it continues to growth from coast to coast,” said Paul Krome, editor of Lacrosse Magazine. “The best part of us naming Tierney the Lacrosse Magazine Person of the Year is that he considers the distinction a call to action — that’s an encouraging perspective for lacrosse fans everywhere coming from a six-time NCAA champion and National Hall of Fame coach.”
“The lacrosse world, as you know, is taking huge steps out west,” said Tierney in a letter to Princeton alumni. “The chance for me to be a part of that growth, as an ambassador for the game, as well as for Denver, is very appealing. If we are truly going to make lacrosse a nationwide sport, we need for some programs out there to become great. I think I can help Colorado lacrosse become the launching pad for that movement.”
Click here to read the full article from Lacrosse Magazine
A few months ago we posted a movie trailer for a new lacrosse documentary named: “City Lax: An Urban Lacrosse Story”. The trailer looked amazing and featured an inner-city lacrosse program for Denver youths.
At the time there was little information available on the project, and many of our readers were anxious for more details. We went out on a mission to uncover what the City Lax movie project was all about. Our research led us to Gabriela Cowperthwaite, who directed the film.
Gabriela was kind enough to grant us the first exclusive interview regarding the film. Check it out below, and stay tuned for the latest on City Lax: An Urban Lacrosse Story.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your production background?
I’ve been directing, writing and producing documentaries for television, for the past 10 years. My partner, Tor Myhren, is Chief Creative Officer at Grey Advertising. This is our first feature documentary.
How did the concept for the City Lax documentary come about? Did you or your team have any previous ties to lacrosse?
My college friend and partner on the film, Tor Myhren, told me “a great idea for a documentary” back in 2007. His brother Erik is actually the guy who introduced lacrosse sticks to a group of Denver inner-city kids. After a bunch of phone conversations with Erik, I flew out to Denver which is where I’m originally from, set up production in my dad’s office, had a cameraman move into my parent’s basement, and he and I started shooting the entire City Lax season, from the moment they discovered what a lacrosse stick was, to the finale in the state championship.
We had no idea what to expect. I figured they could lose every game or win every game. But even though we had no expectations, the turn of events during the season and what went down in their personal lives, completely blew us away. It was crazy trying to plan our day to day production. I’d expect something to happen, then the opposite would play out. It was kind of a rush – kept us on our toes.
Was it challenging filming the kids? Did they mind being on camera?
I think it’s the age, but 11-12 years olds aren’t really playing to the camera. I think if we filmed a bunch of high schoolers, we’d have gotten more guarded, more camera savvy kids. Our kids were totally raw.
Who is involved with the City Lax project?
Rod Allison and Erik Myhren are the founders of the City Lax program. George Moore, one of the City Lax coaches was the first African American to play at Navy and Karl Wimer, another coach was one of the first All Americans out of Colorado. Then there’s Denver City Lax’s other coaches, Gregory Crichlow, Mac Freeman, Brad Johnson, as well as youth lacrosse supporters Burke McHugh, Rob Gormley, Ted Baruch. Everyone from lacrosse enthusiasts to power players in Denver had a hand in helping the team.
In terms of the film, aside from myself and Tor Myhren, we had Jonathan Ingalls as our cinematographer, Carlos Nino and John Forte (formerly from the Fugees) scored us some tunes. We interviewed lax player and Maverik Lacrosse co-founder, Kyle Sweeney, we highlighted the Jamboree, the biggest Tournament west of the Mississippi, and scored some pro and college footage in there. Really cool how everyone poured themselves into it.
Where are you at with the project right now and what are the next steps?
We’re almost at the finish line. We’re applying to festivals, and will hopefully have a premiere sometime in early 2010.
When will the movie be available to the general public to view, and how will they be able to view it (theaters, DVD, etc..)?
We hope to have it up on the big screen, but really, we just want to get this in front of as many people as possible. We’ll be letting everyone know if we get into any festivals so folks can see it then. Then we hope it gets picked up so people can catch it at a theater in their hometown, or catch it on tv. We’ll be doing DVDs no matter what.
How can people stay current on the latest info regarding City Lax the movie?
We’l be updating our website: http://citylaxthemovie.com frequently. People can also email me directly at: gabrielacowper@gmail.com or info@citylaxthemovie.com. But most of all, we’ll be updating everyone through websites like LAXFUnews.com until you’re sick of us!
Many thanks to Gabriela and Tor for their time and the great
information they shared regarding City Lax: An Urban Lacrosse Story!
City Lax: An Urban Lacrosse Story (Trailer)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper displays a team jersey he was presented with by the 2010 Canadian Men's Field Lacrosse team.
By THE CANADIAN PRESS, cp.org
OTTAWA – The Canadian men’s field lacrosse team has added Prime Minister Stephen Harper to its roster of supporters.
The Prime Minister met in his office with Dean French, the team’s executive director, on Monday afternoon and was presented with a national team sweater bearing the number 10, which represents the team’s 2010 target of winning a second straight world title.
“It is an honour to be presented with a jersey from the men’s team of Canada’s national summer sport, lacrosse,” Harper said. “I know all Canadians will look forward to cheering on Canada as the players compete for the world championship in July and once more bring the gold back to Canada.”
The world tournament is held every four years. Canada’s 15-10 win over the United States in the 2006 final in London, Ont., ended a 28-year American winning streak. Manchester, England, is the host city in 2010.
“We’ll need all the support we can get to beat the Americans again,” said French. “We know that the Prime Minister is a devoted fan of Canada’s winter sport, hockey, and we hope he’ll be cheering us on when we take Canada’s national summer sport onto the world stage again in Manchester.”
Joining French to talk lacrosse with the Prime Minister were defenceman Brodie Merrill of Orangeville, Ont., faceoff specialist Geoff Snider of Calgary and high-scoring forward Merrick Thomson of Hamilton. Merrill and Snider helped Canada win the world title in 2006, all three were key players for the Toronto Nationals when they won the Major Lacrosse League pro field crown last summer and they’ll have prominent roles in the 2010 lineup.
Here’s the 2010 Pre-Season Polls for NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse:
Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Poll |
D1 Coaches’ Poll |
| 1 – Duke | 1 – Syracuse |
| 2 – Syracuse | 2 – Virginia |
| 3 – Virginia | 3 – Duke |
| 4 – UNC | 4 – UNC |
| 5 – Cornell | 5 – Hopkins |
| 6 – Johns Hopkins | 6 – Cornell |
| 7 – Maryland | 7 – Princeton |
| 8 – Princeton | 8 – Maryland |
| 9 – Notre Dame | 9 – Notre Dame |
| 10 – Hofstra | 10 – Navy |
| 11 – Harvard | 11 – Hofstra |
| 12 – Navy | 12 – UMBC |
| 13 – Georgetown | 13 – Georgetown |
| 14 – UMBC | 14 – Brown |
| 15 – Brown | 15 – Loyola |
| 16 – Loyola | 16 – Harvard |
| 17 – Denver | 17 – Umass |
| 18 – UMass | 18 – Bucknell |
| 19 – Bucknell | 19 – Albany |
| 20 – Albany | 20 – Penn State |
| 21 – Ohio State | 21 – Colgate |
| 22 – Army | 22 – Ohio State |
| 23 – Penn State | 23 – Stony Brook |
| 24 – Drexel | 24 – Denver |
| 25 – Villanova | 25 – Delaware |
| Note: Poll numbers based on 32 D1 Coaches Surveyed |
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The attorney for a Sacred Heart University lacrosse player charged with helping two teammates sexually assault a woman says the accusations are a gross exaggeration of alcohol-fueled hijinks.
Wayne Keeney, who represents 19-year-old Timothy Sanders of Ashburn, Va., says Sanders and the 18-year-old female student were having consensual sex when two teammates sneaked into the dorm room as a prank.
But he says the other two students — 19-year-old Nicholas Travers of Smithtown, N.Y., and 18-year-old Zachari Triner of Marshfield, Mass. — had no sexual contact with her. She has said Sanders held her down while the other two raped her.
Police say all three were charged Sunday with conspiracy to commit first-degree sexual assault. Sacred Heart officials declined to comment, but Keeney confirmed all three have been suspended from school and the lacrosse team.
Travers and Triner are free after posting $25,000 bond, the Post reports. Sanders was arraigned on Monday and his bond was reduced to $15,000 and the case was continued to Jan. 5.
It’s officially the off-season, but Spring will be here before you know it. JLProductions put together another great NCAA compilation video to get you fired up for the 2010 season.
Video by:
JOSHLANEPRODUCTIONS
University at Albany men’s lacrosse coach Scott Marr announced othat seven student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2010-11 academic year. The list includes two U.S. Lacrosse High School All-Americans.
U of Albany Great Danes head coach, Scott Marr
“The class is not quite complete, but is certainly shaping up to be one of the most dynamic classes we have brought in since the program moved to Division I,” UAlbany coach Scott Marr said.
“It starts on the back line with tough kids, to an athletic midfield, and tremendous finishers on the front line. I commend my assistants Chris Kivlen and Bill Ralph for their efforts in bringing this group together. It is pleasing to see this develop.”
Meet The Thompsons
The Thompsons have been in the news a lot lately. The Native American family is full of lacrosse talent, and each of them have been highly anticipated NCAA players.
Jeremy Thompson led OCC to the NJCAA Title
The eldest Thompson brother, Jeremy, is now enrolled at Syracuse to play lacrosse, after completing two seasons at OCC – which is a local community college in Syracuse. Jeremy’s struggles to gain entrance into Syracuse have been ongoing, until he finally achieved his dream of being enrolled this year.
Brother Miles was also recruited heavily by Syracuse, along with Ty. Both of them seemed to indicate that Syracuse didn’t show enough interest in them. After some back and forth, they ultimately decided that Albany would be their new home.
Miles Thompson was named as a high school All-American after accounting for 95 goals and 56 assists as a junior. He led LaFayette High to a 23-1 record and the New York Class C state championship final. Thompson earned a spot on the Syracuse Post Standard All-Central New York first team. He was honorable mention All-Northeast, All-Section III and All-Onondaga Division III.
“SU is like a powerhouse right now. Albany didn’t win anything. We want to change that. We want to start something new. SU talked to me, and they told me to send my transcript. I didn’t hear from them after that.” -Miles Thompson
Lyle Thompson (left), and Miles Thompson (right)
Ty Thompson, also received first-team All-America recognition. He was Section X’s top scorer with 73 goals and 38 assists and led Salmon River High to an 18-1 mark and the program’s first-ever state playoff win. Thompson, who is attending Salisbury School in Connecticut, was chosen Northern Athletic Conference MVP. In addition, he was an honorable mention all-state selection as a forward in ice hockey.
“I’m going where he’s going,” Lyle said referring to his cousin, Miles. “We both made our decision together.”
UAlbany has won four America East Conference championships and made four NCAA Tournament appearances as a Division I program. The Great Danes reached the 2007 NCAA quarterfinals.
2010-11 University at Albany Men’s Lacrosse Signings
Name, Pos., Hometown (Previous School)
Mike Daly, Mid., Clifton Park, N.Y. (Shenendehowa)
Doug Eich, Def., Pelham, N.Y. (Pelham Memorial)
Ryan Feuerstein, Mid., Hamburg, N.Y. (Hamburg)
Cody Futia, Def., Schenectady, N.Y. (Guilderland)
Eric Sanders, Att., West Chester, Pa. (Downingtown West)
Miles Thompson, Att., Nedrow, N.Y. (LaFayette)
Ty Thompson, Att., Hogansburg, N.Y. (Salmon River/Salisbury Prep)
Ryan McNish turns out the lights on Chris Stachniak and then climbs the boards to greet the crowd.
Jeff Brunelle over at Lacrosse All Stars sat down with the founders of the LXM Pro Tour for some insightful discussion on what this event is all about. We’ve been reporting on LXM ever since we first heard the rumors back in July, but this piece is by far the most comprehensive take on it that we’ve seen so far.
We were admittedly apprehensive about this whole thing when we first head the buzz. But the more we learn about it, the more it’s growing on us. For the sake of the game and the future of the sport, we truly hope that that this does it justice. We don’t believe that it’s fair to say that LXM will dictate the future of lacrosse, but taking on the self-proclaimed mission of growing the game does carry some degree of responsibility with it.
Growing The Game: Hochstadt and Ritz Talk LXM PRO
An interview with the founders of LXM PRO.What is the purpose of LXM PRO? What are the goals? Who’s behind it? Why should we care? These were the simple questions I was hoping to get answers to when I sat down to speak with LXM PRO founders Scott Hochstadt and Xander Ritz on Sunday afternoon.
Ultimately I got those answers and much more. Chatting via Skype can be a battle in terms of getting to know the person on the other end, but they made an interviewer’s job easy. Hochstadt and Ritz were quick to get comfortable and openly share their vision for the event. Maybe that was because I told Hochstadt I attended a camp he coached at in Salt Lake City when I was in high school, but more on that later – Let’s get to the answers:
