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

1. Onondaga Community College coach Chuck Wilbur stepped down after 17 seasons at the helm, winning 11 of the past 13 NJCAA titles, the school announced Wednesday. He assumed a new role as retention specialist for OCC. 

“I am so proud of the accomplishments that the OCC Lazers have had over the years and of the privilege I have had to serve as their head coach,” Wilbur said. “At this point in my career and in my life, it’s time for a new head coach to take the Lazers to the next level and for me to take on this new opportunity and new professional challenge.”

Wilbur finished his coaching career with a 266-15 record, which includes the longest winning streak in college lacrosse history (107 straight from 2010-2016). He is an eight-time NJCAA Lacrosse Coaches Association National Coach of the Year. 

2. Mariemont (Ohio) assistant Graham Harden, who is battling ALS, inspired his girls’ team to rally for a 15-13 victory over Chagrin Falls on June 2, marking its first Ohio Division II state championship in the program’s first appearance in the state final. 

Since being diagnosed in August 2016 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Harden – Defenseman of the Year of the unbeaten 1991 NCAA champion UNC men’s team – has continued coaching both the Mariemont girls’ and boys’ teams. 

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say there were times when it was tiring, but you get a night’s sleep and you come back the next day and it’s so much fun watching the kids grow,” said Harden. “Do what you can while you can.”

3. Salisbury leads the way in the way-early 2019 Division III men’s Top 10, followed by Gettysburg, RIT, Tufts and Wesleyan. Check out the remaining teams that have top-10 caliber next season.

4. TCNJ is No. 1 in the way-early 2019 Division III women’s Top 10, with the 2018 national champion Gettysburg coming in at No. 2. Middlebury, Wesleyan and Amherst round out the top five. 

What We’re Reading

  • US Lacrosse established June 14 as the annual Team USA Giving Day to help fuel the U.S. national team program in competition years, this summer being the senior men’s team, which is honored to carry the American flag to Israel. 

  • The IWLCA announced Wednesday its Division III All-Americans, featuring the players of the year – goalie of the year Zoe Ferguson (Trinity), attacker of the year Paige Moriarty (F&M), midfielder of the year Steph Colson (Gettysburg) and defender of the year Elizabeth Morrison (TCNJ).

  • The story of boys’ lacrosse player of the year Howard senior Felix Knorr started with faceoff trainer Jeremy Rualo. 

  • Glenelg senior Anna Callahan was tabbed as the girls’ lacrosse player of the year. 

  • The Bishop Shanahan (Pa.) boys’ team clinched its first-ever PIAA Class 2A title Saturday and CatholicPhilly.com described how it “got down to business” to win it all. 

What We’re Watching

On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Wings unveiled their new jerseys, while creating a new rivalry in the process with the San Diego Seals.

The FIL’s CEO Jim Scherr spoke with Lax Sports Network on Canada’s tentative agreement with players. 

Episode 2 of “Going West” with Utah Lacrosse, produced by the Lacrosse Network, went live Wednesday. 

 

What’s On Tap

  • Today is Team USA Giving Day. All money raised on June 14 will be matched dollar for dollar by Team USA benefactor, Sylvester Miniter, until the $75,000 fundraising goal is met. Through the Miniter Match, you can double the power of your donation.

  • Stay tuned for a way-early look at 2019 Division II men’s and women’s Top 10s. 

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