Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The ceremonial kickoff to the lacrosse season gets underway today with the USA Lacrosse Convention taking place in Baltimore through Sunday. National team coaches, star players and more highlight this annual celebration of the sport which returns to an in-person format after a virtual run last year.
2. Drexel’s women’s lacrosse program had a breakthrough season in 2021. Now with new coach Kim Hillier in charge, the Dragons are looking to keep pushing forward. Kenny DeJohn gets up close with Drexel.
@DrexelWLax and @KimmyHillier are determined to build a lasting contender in West Philadelphia, leaning on a gritty urban vibe and a crop of unheralded players to do it.https://t.co/yxR81Bc3zx
— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) January 13, 2022
3. A dynamic midfield will be the strength this year for the Denver men’s lacrosse team, ranked 12th in the Nike / USA Lacrosse preseason poll.
4. James Madison doesn’t have a home this year due to the school moving its entire athletic department to the Sun Belt Conference, but the 2018 national champs still have NCAA tournament aspirations.
5. Former Colgate head coach Mike Murphy is returning to college coaching, this time at Penn State, after helping the Whipsnakes win a pair of Premier Lacrosse League championships.
Thank you to all the fans of @PremierLacrosse and the @PLLWhipsnakes. Thank you to my family for all their support. On to the next adventure. pic.twitter.com/sAVVwrDIcH
— Mike Murphy (@LaxcoachMike) January 13, 2022
WHAT WE’RE READING
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Joey Spallina, a two-time USA Lacrosse All-American and the nation’s No. 1 recruit (headed to Syracuse), has signed a Name Image Likeness agreement with Gait Lacrosse, believed to be the first for a lacrosse player still in high school.
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Boys’ and girls’ high school lacrosse is now fully sanctioned by the Ohio High School Activities Association. The sport had been classified as an “emerging sport” until this recent vote.
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Former Arizona State head women’s lacrosse coach Courtney Connor has filed a suit against the school and the Arizona Board of Regents saying that she was wrongfully terminated from the school.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
This Ryan Boyle guy knows a thing or two about extra man offense. Hear the National Lacrosse Hall of Famer share some insight at LaxCon this weekend.
Lacrosse royalty in Charm City.
— USA Lacrosse (@USA_Lacrosse) January 13, 2022
National Lacrosse Hall of Famer @Ryan_Boyle14 shares his infinite knowledge on field and box lacrosse at #LaxCon2022.
REGISTER: https://t.co/ZjFvb2hacL pic.twitter.com/R6MeLzDrGO
WHAT’S ON TAP
The National Lacrosse League has a five-game slate this weekend, including Philadelphia hosting Albany in a nationally-televised game on ESPNEWS on Saturday at noon. The full schedule for the weekend is available on our TV/Streaming listings.