Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The Jacksonville men’s lacrosse team ended its fall season with two formative events. After signing 13-year-old Nathan Ream, who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2013, as an honorary team member through Team IMPACT on Thursday, the Dolphins went toe-to-toe with a team comprised mostly of Major League Lacrosse pros Friday.
The MLL squad — comprised largely of Jacksonville coach John Galloway’s teammates with the Rochester Rattlers as well as some of his fellow Syracuse alumni — led 7-6 at halftime and pulled away for an 18-13 win at D.B. Milne Field. Notable names included Jeremy Boltus, Liam Byrnes, Blaze Riorden, Dhane Smith, Randy Staats, Jordan MacIntosh, Joel White and Jordan Wolf. Jacksonville branded the event, which included live music, children’s bounce houses and a beer garden, as the World’s Largest Outdoor Lacrosse Party. Proceeds were donated to Nemours Children's Specialty Care in Jacksonville.
2. The Rochester Rattlers relocation rumors ratcheted up 10 days ago when The Buffalo News’ Jack Goods reported that a trademark for the “Dallas Rattlers” was registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Lacrosse media members also discovered that the domain dallasrattlers.com and associated social media accounts had been established.
MLL commissioner David Gross downplayed these developments in a statement to College Crosse, saying the league was just keeping its options open. ESPN Rochester then tweeted it had learned there is a local ownership group attempting to purchase the Rattlers and keep the team in Rochester.
College Crosse tackled the topic again Friday.
3. Jim Berkman is running out of room in his ring case.
Salisbury tweeted a photo of the case after Berkman placed his 12th NCAA championship ring in it Saturday. The Sea Gulls commemorated their latest national title with a special ring ceremony.
Coach Berkman’s Ring Case is starting to run out of room after last nights new addition!! #ItsAGreatDayToBeAGull #GoGulls pic.twitter.com/63MK8UDHZB
— Salisbury Lacrosse (@SalisburyMLAX) October 28, 2017
Salisbury shows no signs of slowing. The Sea Gulls punctuated a 22-1 season, one in which Berkman became the first college lacrosse coach at any level to surpass 500 wins, with a 15-7 victory over RIT in the NCAA Division III championship game back in May.
2017 National Championship Rings!! #ItsAGreatDayToBeAGull #ChampionsWearGold #GoGulls pic.twitter.com/dKpqZaMymR
— Salisbury Lacrosse (@SalisburyMLAX) October 28, 2017
4. Ben DeLuca led Cornell to a final four before a hazing inquiry led to his ouster — a life lesson he shares today with his players at Delaware, where he is grateful to have received a second chance as a head coach.
5. Anthony Cosmo became the latest pro lacrosse legend to say goodbye Friday. Cosmo, the National Lacrosse League’s all-time saves leader, announced he is retiring at age 40 after 17 seasons.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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San Diego Seals owner Joseph Tsai has agreed to purchase a 49-percent minority stake in the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.
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A Lax Philly Facebook post on why Brett Manney is the real MVP of the U.S. indoor team.
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The Canadian national team players are forging forward in their effort to effect change at the Canadian Lacrosse Association leadership level, creating a players association that seeks representation on the CLA board.
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Former MLL and NLL pro and 2010 U.S. team member Drew Westervelt writes about disrupting the laundry market with the creation of HEX Performance.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
A day in the life of Harlem Lacrosse, featuring PS 76, a public middle school in Central Harlem where lacrosse has become part of the fabric of the school.
Stony Brook sisters Kylie and Taryn Ohlmiller take passing on the run to a new level.
Couple @StonyBrookWLAX training outside the box with treadmill 2 ball @kyohlmiller @TARYNNitup__ pic.twitter.com/BgLMzfULdE
— Joe Spallina (@JoeSpallina) October 27, 2017
An epic feats-of-strength showdown in the Albany weight room.
Friday’s are for challenges pic.twitter.com/KHXg2v23HD
— UAlbany Lacrosse (@UAlbanyMLax) October 27, 2017
WHAT’S ON TAP
Don’t miss the cover story from our latest edition, “Believe Land,” on the lacrosse movement in Cleveland and the kids now benefiting from the Lacrosse Communities Project.