MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – It’s fitting Callum Robinson was in attendance as the Premier Lacrosse League embarked on an exhibition to bring top-notch lacrosse talents to a handful of untraditional markets around the United States.
As an Australia native, he knows what it’s like to fall in love with the sport in an area where it isn’t engrained in the fiber of the community.
“It’s something I can empathize with,” Robinson said bright and early just outside of Minneapolis on Sunday. “I really enjoy getting around communities like this and mixing with the kids and see their love for the game. You only have to look around and see these kids are die-hard lacrosse fans.”
Robinson, along with Archers midfielder Tom Schreiber and attackman Marcus Holman, worked hands-on for three hours with over 100 kids at Saint Thomas Academy on Sunday.
It was the first stop on the PLL’s six-part Players Tour, which will head to three more western markets in Sacramento, Reno and Seattle before closing with a pair of hotbeds in northern New Jersey and central New York.
Each location will feature instruction from at least one PLL player. Kyle Hartzell, Joe Walters, Paul Rabil and Christian Cuccinello will all hit the road over the next three months.
“It’s very humbling,” Robinson said. “All three of us have been in these kids’ shoes before, looking up at guys that we idolize. It’s a blessing to be able to come back and be that resource for these kids. Hopefully in 20 years’ time when I want an autograph, they remember who I am.”
Joining the players on the cross-country journey is PLL host RJ Kaminski, who was emceeing the festivities Sunday in addition to recording his usual vlog.
The trio of PLL stars gave tips and words of encouragement during drills and were the center of attention during mic’ed up demonstration sessions. Holman took the reins while discussing shooting techniques, sticking corners to show off his accuracy and besting a few youthful keepers with trick shots.
While he left the shooting drills to Holman, Archers and Toronto Rock fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing Schreiber is out of a sling and said he should be good to go for the National Lacrosse League season. He saw his PLL season end early when he suffered a shoulder injury.
“I’ll be good to go for camp,” Schreiber said. “May be questionable for the first week but I won’t miss any time.”
Minnesota has seen a major uptick in participation in recent years. Eden Prairie’s Quentin Matsui, this year’s Minneapolis Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, is committed to play for the defending champion Virginia Cavaliers and played in the Under Armour All-America Game. Other local stars have gone on to play at Harvard, Air Force, Robert Morris and Limestone.
“You see more and more players coming from here,” Schreiber said. “Every time I’ve done events here and played games here the community has been super into it.”
One of the top alums of the state, Dallas Rattlers attackman Ryan McNamara, was also in attendance and coaching as one of the many representatives from the True Lacrosse club program. The PLL worked closely with True MN to bring the event to Saint Thomas.
“Bringing professionals out to the state of Minnesota is something that’s special,” True Lacrosse director Dan Forsyth said. “Lacrosse is growing really quickly here and players are transitioning really well from other sports. A lot of hockey players are starting to pick up lacrosse sticks.”
The Twin Cities’ interest in the sport was strong enough for the PLL to target Minnesota as one of its 30 finalist cities for the first season. As the league embarks on its first offseason, the market will likely be considered again for 2020.
And after Sunday, the PLL has a few more fans in the area if it comes calling.
“It was definitely a successful summer, year one,” Holman said. “We just want to keep the momentum rolling.”