Professional PLL
06:00 PM
Jul 19
Phi
Den
Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Vegas, baby.
It was no secret the National Lacrosse League intended to place its 15th franchise in Las Vegas. But the NLL made headlines Monday after unveiling an ownership group consisting of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, pro golfer Dustin Johnson, Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash and billionaire Joe Tsai.
Tsai, who also owns the NLL’s San Diego Seals, specifically courted Gretzky to join him in the Vegas venture as the behest of commissioner Nick Sakiewicz.
“Great organizations start with wonderful ownership,” Gretzky said in an event introducing the owners at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
Gretzky, the NHL’s all-time leading scorer, and Nash, a former two-time NBA MVP, both played box lacrosse growing up in Canada. Johnson is Gretzky’s son-in-law. Nash already has ties to Tsai, who also owns the Nets.
2. Rashad Devoe is out at Amherst, according to a report by Inside Lacrosse. Hired last May, Devoe never coached a game with the Mammoths, who did not play in 2021 due to the pandemic. Amherst had tabbed the former Hampton coach to replace Jon Thompson, who was fired amid an investigation into a racial incident involving members of the team.
Perennial Division III men’s lacrosse powers Amherst, Bowdoin, Denison and Gettysburg all are in the market for new head coaches.
3. The Limestone men’s lacrosse team is mourning the death of Frank Smith, a redshirt freshman attackman who died suddenly Saturday.
Smith played one season with the Saints after transferring from Bryant, earning honorable mention All-South Atlantic Conference honors with a team-high 52 points (31 goals, 21 assists). The school did not provide an explanation of his death.
4. They celebrated with prayer, food and dancing. We celebrated with lacrosse.
Tari Kandemiri aka Official Lax Girl captured the sights and sounds of the inaugural Juneteenth Lacrosse Expo at Wagner Playground in Harlem. USA Lacrosse hosted a free Sankofa Clinic Series event and the Harlem Jets welcomed teams from Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., for games and fellowship.
5. A landmark Supreme Court ruling against the NCAA had the broader sports world buzzing about its impact on the business of college sports and athletes’ earning potential. In a searing rebuke of the association, Justice Brett Kavanaugh invoked lacrosse — namely the tradition of NCAA championships on Memorial Day weekend.
WHAT WE’RE READING
-
About the USA Lacrosse Texas Chapter’s Junior Board Program that offers high school members service hours for their time participating in camps, clinics and events.
-
The Harlem Jets aren’t the only football-based organization getting into lacrosse and bringing the sport to urban youth. The Baltimore Terps are enjoying the benefits of a spring sport and support from USA Lacrosse.
-
Sad news out of Orlando: Timber Creek High School lacrosse player Mikey Stroz, 16, was killed by a drunk driver in Alabama.
-
The Richmond women’s lacrosse team has added Delaney Galvin, the 2018 MAAC Goalie of the Year at Marist, as a graduate transfer.
-
A statement by Syracuse women’s lacrosse standout Sam Swart, who announced Monday she’s coming back for a fifth year in 2022. Swart is one of 36 players who were invited to a U.S. national team training camp later this month.
-
Lacrosse Bucket’s compilation of recent recruiting commitments, with everything coming up Big Ten since the dead period ended.
-
Forbes covers Sony Pictures TV chairman Steve Mosko’s lacrosse-playing days at Delaware and how they helped shape him as a businessman.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Coming in hot.
For the city, by the city. #LaxVegas pic.twitter.com/Nu07uBambh
— Las Vegas Lacrosse (@lasvegaslax) June 21, 2021
WHAT’S ON TAP
-
Updated Nike/USA Lacrosse high school boys’ and girls’ lacrosse rankings, including the national top 25s and regional top 10s.
-
A story about lacrosse in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor, as lacrosse took hold in baseball country during the pandemic.