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

1. Nakeie Montgomery, Duke’s All-American senior midfielder, penned a powerful first-person piece on his unique upbringing, the importance of mentors and exposure and how he’s making the most of his turn to make a difference in the movement for social justice.

“It Takes a Village” is the first story on the new Uncut Duke platform that provides student-athletes an outlet to share what’s important to them, tell their stories and explore their identities. Montgomery is a co-founder and the director of marketing.

2. World Lacrosse is exploring the addition of women’s box lacrosse. The sport’s international governing body announced Wednesday that is has established a working group to develop the new discipline around the world at both the junior (U19/U20) and senior levels to provide an opportunity for women to compete in the indoor game and bring gender equity to its events.

3. It’s NLL draft day.

U.S. indoor team coach Regy Thorpe, whose latest NLL stop was with the New York Riptide as the expansion team’s coach and general manager, shared his thoughts on the top American prospects in the draft with US Lacrosse Magazine’s Matt Hamilton.

Inside Lacrosse’s Stephen Stamper mocked the first two rounds, with strengths, weaknesses and comparisons for each projected selection.

Lacrosse Flash, meanwhile, identified eight draft sleepers.

The NLL Entry Draft, an entirely virtual event, will be streamed tonight on B/R Live starting at 7 p.m. Eastern. For the second straight year, the Riptide have the No. 1 overall pick. They are expected to take Cornell and Brampton Excelsiors star Jeff Teat.

4. Election Day will be an off day for college athletes. The NCAA Division I Council approved Wednesday new civic engagement legislation prohibiting practices or competition on the first Tuesday after Nov. 1 every year, including the upcoming Election Day on Nov. 3. “We look forward to seeing student-athletes use this opportunity as a way to create positive change,” council chair M. Grace Calhoun said.

It was a busy day for the NCAA. In other news with potential ramifications on lacrosse, the Division I Council:

WHAT WE’RE READING

  • Our early 2021 rankings countdown, which continued Wednesday with teams slotted Nos. 15-11 (men and women).

  • The latest “Behind the Whistle” post from the IWLCA, as Cumberlands assistant coach Tatiana Samuel separates the pretenders from genuine supporters in the Black Lives Matter movement and recalls her experiences as a biracial lacrosse player.

  • A moving Inside Lacrosse article on Marguerite and Mikaela Rix, the former Elon and Boston College women’s lacrosse stars, respectively, and sisters who each beat different forms of cancer diagnosed a year apart.

  • An Indian Country Today story about the history of friendship between Ireland and Native American tribes.

  • The Joey Spallina roll-off is real. Check out Sports Illustrated’s Syracuse lacrosse vertical  for the latest in the recruiting momentum.

  • Pressbox is the latest outlet to cover Isaiah Davis-Allen, the MLL Man of the Year who is giving back to minority communities and advocating for change in the sport.

  • A beautiful Ithaca Times tribute to former Cornell coach Richie Moran’s annual tradition of hanging a wreath above the plaque dedicated to Hall of Fame player and 9/11 victim Eamon McEneaney.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

An interview with Cam Bomberry, the Iroquois lacrosse legend who was the  captain of the first Indigenous-based franchise to win Canada’s Minto Cup. He starred as a three-time All-American at Nazareth, an eight-year NLL pro and four-time member of the Iroquois Nationals.

WHAT’S ON TAP

  • Our early 2021 rankings countdown continues with Nos. 11-6 (men and women).

  • A must-read feature by Kenny DeJohn on Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse goalie and newfound activist Angie Benson.

  • The NLL Entry Draft on B/R Live (7 p.m. ET).

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