Dialed In: Your Lacrosse Fix for Monday, Jan. 23

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

1.  An inspiring outlook from Hall of Famer and legend Paul Gait.

Paul Gait, injured in a fall while working on construction for a shipping facility for Gait Lacrosse, shared with USA Lacrosse’s Matt DaSilva on Friday details from the accident that has left him paralyzed and likely wheelchair bound for the remainder of his life. More importantly, he shared his positive approach to what lies ahead.
 

Two months after a cataclysmic fall left him paralyzed below the waist, @gaitlaxofficial founder and @CuseMLAX legend Paul Gait spoke candidly about spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair. https://t.co/qBkIEed14M

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) January 20, 2023

2. Education and inspiration – LaxCon2023

The USA Lacrosse Convention wrapped up yesterday in Baltimore, a weekend full of teaching, camaraderie and celebration – including rings for the U.S. Women’s National Team which won the world championship last July in Towson, Md – and discussions about deep topcis. Some of the moments from LaxCon:
 

We need to normalize the dialog surrounding mental health.

Today at our Mental Health Panel, we had an honest conversation about the issues facing athletes.

Together, we can shake the stigma. @15forlifeorg @MorgansMessage pic.twitter.com/pYTaL5cHLb

— USA Lacrosse (@USA_Lacrosse) January 21, 2023

.@charlotteocho8’s steps to the perfect crow hop.

The superstar joined @kylieohlmiller for an entertaining session on shooting. #LaxCon2023 pic.twitter.com/OaS6vAknc8

— USA Lacrosse (@USA_Lacrosse) January 22, 2023

HOW TO SELL FEAT. @Michaelsowers22

The @USAMLax star gives us a clinic in how to deceive opposing defensemen. #LaxCon2023 pic.twitter.com/s5E0hGv80O

— USA Lacrosse (@USA_Lacrosse) January 21, 2023

20 All-American Awards
7 College Player of the Year awards
8 National Titles

From Gary Gait, Charlie Lockwood, Casey Powell, Ryan Powell, and then to Mike Powell, #22 at Syracuse has a legacy like no other! #legends #explorethefield

@POWLAX22 pic.twitter.com/VCK0S55LkG

— Powell Lacrosse (@powelllacrosse) January 22, 2023

We’ve got a really big team, they need some really nice bling

The World Champion tour concluded tonight at our ring ceremony. pic.twitter.com/zNE1rWJFRU

— U.S. Women's National Team (@USAWLax) January 22, 2023

The panel on mental health today was absolutely amazing. I am grateful to all of the panelists for opening up, sharing their personal experiences and highlighting ways we can make a difference

My favorite space today was this board where you could leave a supportive message: pic.twitter.com/JondacQhlS

— Tari | Official Lax Girl™️ (@officiallaxgirl) January 21, 2023

3. Good is not good enough.

East Stroudsburg’s Emily Mitarotonda is the USA Lacrosse Magazine NCAA Division II Women’s Preseason Player of the Year.

4. Defense a key for Ohio State?

Bobby Van Buren is back and Marcus Hudgins has been cleared to play. Will Ohio State have an elite defense in 2023? The Buckeyes are No. 11 in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Magazine NCAA Division I men’s preseason rankings.

5. It starts with the draw and Duke has one of the best.

With dominant draw specialist Maddie Jenner back, Duke has the first step on continuing to build on its recent success. The Blue Devils checked in at No. 11 in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Magazine NCAA Division I women’s preseason rankings.

6. Rochester stays unbeaten.

Rochester remained the lone unbeaten team in the National Lacrosse League, rallying to beat reigning NLL Finals runner up Buffalo 15-12 on Friday night. Also in Week 8 of the season, Las Vegas overcame an eight-goal halftime deficit to pick up the first victory in franchise history, beating Vancouver 15-14.

On Saturday, U.S. men’s team star Tom Schreiber had seven points as Toronto beat Philadelphia 14-5 and Jeff Teat’s 12-point game carried New York past Albany 16-10.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• LaxCon attendees got to see Kobie Johnson, a former USA Lacrosse finance department intern, and his Morgan State teammates in several live field sessions over the weekend. Here’s more on the Bears program.

• The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association unanimously voted last week to add boys’ and girls’ lacrosse as a sanctioned sport beginning in 2024-25. Tennessee, which had initially voted to start sanctioning in 2021-22 before delaying the implementation indefinitely, becomes the 26^th state to formally recognize lacrosse as a championship sport.

• Paul Rabil’s alma mater, Johns Hopkins, with a look at his accomplishments in the sport. The alumni magazine details his exploits on the field and in the business space.

• How the Siena men’s program is handling the MAAC’s expansion to 10 teams for the 2023 season.

• Another story on VMI lacrosse player Erik Gottman who helped rescue skiers trapped in an avalanche during a family vacation.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Let kids pick up a stick and play. USA Lacrosse CEO Marc Riccio’s presentation during LaxCon.

Let kids pick up a stick and play. @MarcRiccio21 opened Day of #LaxCon2023 with some simple advice for coaches and program leaders. pic.twitter.com/qfUXfmhMJH

— USA Lacrosse (@USA_Lacrosse) January 21, 2023

WHAT’S ON TAP

• We’ve hit the Top 10 in our Nike/USA Lacrosse Magazine NCAA Division I preseason rankings – come back for previews today on Denver (women) and Rutgers (men).

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