Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Jeff Teat is coming back to Cornell in 2021. ESPN’s Chris Jastrzembski first reported the news about the sensational Canadian’s return to Ithaca, which US Lacrosse Magazine confirmed with multiple sources.
“We are thrilled that Jeff will be returning to Cornell next season,” Cornell coach Connor Buczek said in a release obtained by Inside Lacrosse. “He is a generational talent that makes everyone around him better, as well as an incredible teammate that works diligently both on and off the field. His leadership will be a great benefit for our entire program, and we couldn’t be more excited that he will be in red for one more season.”
Teat, a three-time All-American attackman and the No. 3 all-time scorer at Cornell, reportedly received a waiver from the Ivy League after the university approved an academic enrollment plan by which he will not return to campus until the spring 2021 semester.
“Cornell has always been a special place to me, and due to COVID-19, our journey this year was unfortunately cut short,” Teat said. “Thankfully, I have been given another opportunity to compete for a national championship with this program, and that is something I just couldn’t turn down. With that said, I am very excited to return to Cornell for the 2021 season.”
2. The Premier Lacrosse League will hold its Championship Series in Utah. Following a Sportico exclusive confirmed by US Lacrosse Magazine, the league made the official announcement Thursday that its fan-less, quarantined tournament July 25-Aug. 9 will be at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah. Additional details about the event can be found in articles by Variety, Sports Illustrated, Sport Business, The Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News, as well as in this Front Office Sports interview with PLL co-founder and Atlas LC midfielder Paul Rabil.
Fundamentals LIVE: @PremierLacrosse co-founder @PaulRabil joins to discuss the league’s return to play with their PLL Championship Series, the league’s growth trajectory, and more. https://t.co/cqGSdqM0NE
— Front Office Sports (@frntofficesport) June 11, 2020
3. Buffalo Bandits forward Dhane Smith is the latest person of color in lacrosse to sound off on racism. In a Twitter thread Thursday, Smith wrote about growing up as a black boy trying to play hockey and lacrosse in Kitchener, Ontario, and the false assumptions others made about him. “I belong here,” the 2016 NLL MVP concluded.
Sometimes you gotta be comfortable being uncomfortable so here I am telling a bit of my story...Growing up BLACK is amazing but has NOT been easy. 1/9#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/qGmLOMgVG6
— Dhane Smith (@dhanesmith92) June 12, 2020
3. A special digital-only edition of US Lacrosse Magazine is coming June 25. Available exclusively to US Lacrosse members, the magazine will include immersive and interactive features, in-depth reporting on the current topics in our sport and coverage from each of the 10 US Lacrosse regions..
4. The NAIA announced Thursday that women’s lacrosse will become its 27th championship sport. The sport moved from invitational to championship status when the number of NAIA programs eclipsed 40. The first NAIA champion will be crowned May 8, 2021 at Memorial Stadium in Savannah, Ga.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Under Armour unveiled a new performance facemask Thursday. Lacrosse star Taylor Cummings was among those pictured training with the mask.
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NJIT is set to join the America East Conference, Lacrosse Bucket reported. The Highlanders were affiliate members of the Northeast Conference in men’s lacrosse.
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Princeton women’s lacrosse coach Chris Sailer talked about Pride Month, acceptance and inclusion as a gay woman.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
A WBAL segment on US Lacrosse’s return-to-play guidelines.
WHAT’S ON TAP
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Nelson Rice caught up with Austin Sims of Archers LC (and September/October 2016 US Lacrosse Magazine cover) fame for “The Vault.”
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More on the PLL’s decision to stage its Championship Series in Utah.
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US Lacrosse recognizes this week’s Impact Athletes.