Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:

1. An inspiring story out of the Decatur (Ga.) Lacrosse program was featured in the December edition of US Lacrosse Magazine.

In the city’s housing projects, Ousman Sy, a son of refugee parents, and DeAngelo Watkins, one of the city’s first lacrosse success stories, bond over the sport.

Read about how lacrosse changed these two young lives.

2. Neil Stevens previews the NLL East Division before the season opens this weekend. The defending champion Georgia Swarm looks to be better than before, but the Toronto Rock and Rochester Knighthawks aim to take over.

3. Rob Pannell, former Cornell star and current U.S. national training team member, talks about his box debut, workout routine in New York City and motivation for the 2018 FIL Men’s World Championship in Israel.

4. The holiday gift guide for December is online! Check out some great deals on gifts for the lacrosse fan in your family.

5. The WPLL hosted its Pro Day in New York City on Tuesday with Alex Aust, Taylor Cummings, Dana Dobbie, Colleen Magarity, Kara Mupo and Holly Reilly. Check out the sights and sounds below.

Today our Dir. of Leadership Services @olgiebear1 joined the women of @prowomenslax for #WPLLProDay where players explore professional & personal development opportunities. Thanks for including WSF, especially in the #TWFperformancelab workout w/ trainer @hollyrilinger! pic.twitter.com/7ihx0cxI9l

— Women's Sports Fdn (@WomensSportsFdn) December 5, 2017

.@tee_cee10 is ready or her closeup! #WPLLProDay pic.twitter.com/iJw0S9itH7

— WPLL (@prowomenslax) December 6, 2017

Excited to be out grinding with @prowomenslax this AM in NYC ! pic.twitter.com/W8JqLvUry1

— TLN (@LacrosseNetwork) December 5, 2017

#WPLL pros hitting the gym with @hollyrilinger at TWF Performance Labs! #WPLLProDay pic.twitter.com/SUUrTKEeSd

— WPLL (@prowomenslax) December 5, 2017

What We’re Reading

• With the recent NLL expansion of the Philadelphia Wings and San Diego Seals joining the league for the 2018-19 season, commissioner Nick Sakiewicz’s plan is becoming a reality.

• Connecticut Magazine features the New England Wolves celebrating Native American Heritage ahead of the league’s season opener.

• The NLL welcomes Joel Field as a broadcast consultant for the league to create league-wide production standards for NLL TV.

• Paul Gait, former Syracuse lacrosse star and Under Armour manufacturer, received approval to build an office and showroom in Guilderland, N.Y., but neighbors strongly objected.

• Le Moyne coach Kathy Taylor, the newly elected president of the IWLCA, reflects on the 35h anniversary of the coaches’ association  

• Inside Lacrosse talks with new LIU Post coach Eric Wolf in this week’s podcast about the influence of Scott Marr and coaching the Thompsons at Albany.

• Cornell women’s lacrosse hosted a successful charity dodgeball tournament.

• UMBC men’s lacrosse announces its 2018 schedule.

• The Salt Lake City School District Board of Education unanimously approved the sanctioning of lacrosse at the high school level for the 2019-20 school year.

• The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame is releasing a limited edition bobblehead commemorating Johns Hopkins’ nine Division I national championships.

• Epoch Lacrosse launces Bespoke, an online customizer for gloves and arm pads.

What We’re Watching

NCAA teams are still going strong in the weight room before the holiday break.
 

Great day in the weight room new squat record set at 500lb by Sophomore Mark Evanchick! Adam Goldner a sophomore moves up to 420lb while senior Chris Santangelo jumps up to 410lbs #ILPL #TrainWithPurpose pic.twitter.com/FGdMT2z5zY

— Penn Men's Lacrosse (@PennMensLax) December 6, 2017

 

getting after it in lift today #gettingstrong #stayingfit #chasegreatness #bwlax

A post shared by Brown Women's Lacrosse (@brownwlax) on Dec 4, 2017 at 3:01pm PST

Former North Carolina standout Sammy Jo Tracy, who will be speaking at the 2018 US Lacrosse Convention in Baltimore this January about the Draw Control Academy, replicates one of her best goals of her collegiate career for Lax Sports Network.

How do you score a one-handed, no-look, behind-the-back goal? Former @uncwlax star Sammy Jo Tracy walks me through it.

Head to @LaxSportsNet for the full clip. @draw_control pic.twitter.com/mNNXRpxNB1

— Travis Eldridge (@tgeldrid) December 5, 2017

What’s On Tap

• The inaugural Pac-12 season kicks off in 2018. US Lacrosse Magazine’s Megan Schneider checks in with the Pac-12 coaches.

• There’s a new recruiting proposal in the NCAA that could affect the recent legislation passed to deter early recruiting in lacrosse. Stay tuned for more details.

• The NLL opens its season Friday. Neil Stevens projects the league’s award winners today.

“DIALED IN” IS POSTED DAILY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 8 A.M. EASTERN ON USLAXMAGAZINE.COM. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR A WEEKLY DIGEST DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX.