Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. In another sign that the Division I college lacrosse season is getting closer, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association released its annual preseason All-America teams on Wednesday.
Check out the full list here.
2. Conversely, the NESCAC Presidents’ offered an update on spring sports that specified if conference competition did prove feasible, regular season conference play would likely not start until late March or early April.
“After a careful review, the NESCAC presidents have agreed that conditions will need to improve significantly in order to conduct conference competition this spring.”
Read the full release here.
3. Twenty-six day after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a longboarding accident, Chris Bocklet sang and danced his way out of the Shepherd Center for brain rehabilitation in Atlanta. US Lacrosse Magazine editor-in-chief Matt DaSilva has the full story of Bocklet’s miraculous recovery.
More here.
Free spirited and exuberant, Chris Bocklet's energy overtakes any room he walks in.
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) January 28, 2021
In this case, any room he walks out.
Bocklet left inpatient rehab yesterday, 26 days after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
DANCE LIKE EVERYBODY'S WATCHING: https://t.co/eDLDALvP9M pic.twitter.com/LfWXESqzbM
4. The Maryland women and Yale men check in at No. 8, respectively, in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20.
For Maryland: Why Lizzie Colson’s return and other factors have Cathy Reese and the Terrapins optimistic after a rebuilding campaign in 2020, by Ella Brockway.
For Yale: How Andy Shay navigated an unorthodox year while continuing to instill Yale’s culture, by Matt Hamilton.
5. In his first column of 2021, ESPN announcer Anish Shroff penned an ode to John Vassallo, who revolutionized lacrosse on TV. “He helped push the sport into its contemporary frontier,” Shroff noted about “JV,” who’s last day at ESPN was earlier this month.
Fans and fellow broadcasters alike chimed in with their own expressions of thanks.
Well said, @AnishESPN! @JohnVassallo gave me the opportunity of a lifetime in 2016-19, joining the Memorial Day Weekend WLAX crew on the sideline! He believed in me, giving me a chance to live out my dream.
— Halley Griggs (@hqgriggs) January 28, 2021
He has helped push this game forward in so many ways! THANK YOU! https://t.co/M7Lgg7G4j6
Beautifully written @AnishESPN ! Thank you for crafting such a powerful and fitting piece for a wonderful man ( @JohnVassallo ) who I...and so many others love! https://t.co/ROoHNcwSzc
— Paul Carcaterra (@paulcarcaterra) January 27, 2021
6. John Tillman officially announced the hire of Bobby Benson to his staff at Maryland as interim assistant coach after J.L. Reppert took the head job at Holy Cross. Benson, who previously spent 14 seasons as the offensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins, will serve in the same role in College Park.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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The NAIA released its preseason Top 10 polls. Reinhardt (Ga.) and SCAD Savannah enter 2021 ranked No. 1 on the men’s and women’s sides.
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Johns Hopkins names Cole Williams, Jack Lyne and Joey Epstein captains for the 2021 season.
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In the latest IWLCA Behind the Whistle Blog post, 2019 Tamp grad, Garlyn Henderson, writes why virtually attending the IWLCA’s BIPOC Coaching Symposium helped inspire her to pursue a career in coaching.
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Inside Lacrosse checks in with Denver, who’s reloaded roster with Yale grad transfers Jackson Morrill, Lucas Cotler (and TD Ierlan?) gives them a championship pedigree.
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Duke men’s lacrosse officially announced their 2021 schedule that kicks off at home against Denver on Feb. 5.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
A GOAT sighting amongst a flock of Blue Jays.
THIS IS NOT A DRILL
— JHU Men's Lacrosse (@jhumenslacrosse) January 27, 2021
We have Coach @JohnGrantJr24 Mic'd Up for this #WiredWednesday #WeWantMore pic.twitter.com/GAqoKQ0f4b
WHAT’S ON TAP
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A profile of Tampa face off specialist Ross Dickerson, the US Lacrosse Magazine DII Preseason Player of the Year.
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Our 2021 NCAA Preview rollout continues with scouting reports on the No. 7-ranked Denver men and Florida women.