Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Today is Play Lax Day, a campaign coordinated by The Lacrosse Network to get lacrosse players and fans to post videos of themselves doing stick tricks and stinging corners using the hashtag #PlayLaxDay. Some people got an early start.
Tomorrow is #PlayLaxDay! Here's how you can win a Warp:
— Warrior Lacrosse (@warriorlax) August 14, 2018
1) Take a video of yourself stinging a corner
2) Post it to Instagram on Aug. 15
3) Tag @warriorlax, @lacrossenetwork & use #PlayLaxDay
4) Stay tuned to see if you're 1 of 5 winners to take home a Warp of your choice... pic.twitter.com/HAPo7BvYVA
Guess what?! #PlayLaxDay is August 15! Send your best stick trick videos to @LacrosseNetwork and you could get featured! Let’s get videos from all 50 states! #WarriorWednesday pic.twitter.com/HL3azdWsk2
— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) August 8, 2018
WARNING: Please be careful this Wednesday. #PlayLaxDay @adrenalinelax pic.twitter.com/xfWOydvINW
— TLN (@LacrosseNetwork) August 13, 2018
First official #PlayLaxDay entry from #PapaBeast with his FO tips @Faceoff_Academy @LacrosseNetwork pic.twitter.com/ECsolAfjFZ
— Greg Gurenlian (@GregBeast32) August 13, 2018
OUR GOAL: 50 States. 50 Countries . Let us know what location you have locked down for #PlayLaxDay pic.twitter.com/ngafp8LQIy
— TLN (@LacrosseNetwork) July 27, 2018
2. The honeymoon for the shot clock lasted all of four days. Initial enthusiasm over the NCAA men’s lacrosse rules committee’s announcement Friday that it is moving forward with a long-clamored-for shot clock has given way to skepticism over the mechanism and manner of its implementation.
Patrick McEwen of Lax Film Room fame authored this Inside Lacrosse article on why he adamantly believes the committee got the shot clock wrong by not having it start on possession, while Monmouth assistant Andrew Geison penned for College Crosse his case for “cautious pessimism.”
3. Paul Rabil advocated for revitalizing rec lacrosse in the U.S., citing a Sports and Fitness Industry Association report on the rapid decline of participation in youth soccer — and the correlating proliferation of pay-for-play clubs and leagues — as a warning sign.
The SFIA reported a rapid decline in participation in youth soccer. Many attribute the waning participation to the proliferation of pay-for-play clubs/leagues (via @HowieLongShort). Warning — lacrosse. Let’s refocus on and revitalize rec lacrosse in parallel with our club growth.
— Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) August 13, 2018
3. Devon Wills and Michelle Tumolo were two of the biggest names to take a spin on the college women’s lacrosse coaching carousel, landing at Harvard and Wagner, respectively. The former U.S. teammates emphasized the importance of fostering chemistry among their players.
Speaking of women’s lacrosse coaches on the move, Detroit Mercy’s Laurie Merian stepped down Tuesday. Merian led the Titans to 16 wins in two seasons and a share of the Southern Conference regular season title in 2018.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Mountain Lakes (N.J.) and 2012 U.S. U19 coach Tim Flynn has been named one of the 50 most influential people in New Jersey high school sports. Former Maryland and Team USA defenseman Joe Cinosky concurs.
Coach Flynn will go down as one of the greatest coaches and human beings of all time. His wins are a byproduct of the culture he has created at Mountain Lakes. I’m very fortunate to have had the chance to learn from Coach Flynn. Excited to follow along with @MLBTLax for year #40. https://t.co/upgCC9cN2V
— Joe Cinosky (@JoeCinosky) August 14, 2018
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New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick continues to make headlines for his love affair with lacrosse, with the Boston Globe highlighting his connection to the Croatian national team.
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Did you know there’s a lacrosse statue in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
NBA superstar Chris Paul, executive producer of the 30 for 30 film “Crossroads,” says it’s more than just a story about lacrosse—a sport which he admittedly had no exposure to prior to this project. “Crossroads,” which chronicles the journey of at-risk youths in Charlotte who picked up the sport and became North Carolina state finalists in three years, premieres Aug. 23 on ESPN.
.@NBA superstar @CP3 was exposed to lacrosse for the first time as executive producer of the @30for30 film ‘Crossroads.’ Hear more from him on the latest episode of Lacrosse Weekly on ESPN+ | The film debuts August 23rd at 9pm ET on @espn #Crossroads #30for30 pic.twitter.com/VHRZzFzSSG
— Lax Sports Network (@LaxSportsNet) August 14, 2018
WHAT’S ON TAP
The Team USA vlog revs back up for a new competition cycle, starting with highlights on and off the field from this past weekend’s U.S. U19 women’s team tryouts.
U19 Women’s National Team Vlog #1 coming at ya’ TOMORROW! @USAWLAX #USAInsider pic.twitter.com/SB0WzXbLGe
— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) August 14, 2018