For the Good and Welfare of ...Lacrosse

First and foremost I would like to appologize to the ten people that read this blog for not posting this entry in a timely fashion. That being said, the following are comments about the past two weeks'
Congratulations to Lyle and Miles Thompson and Taylor Cummings for winning the prestigious Tewaaraton Award. The Thompsons are a breath of fresh air, playing the game the way it was meant to be played. Yes, creativity has a place in this sport that we love. As my brother has said, " This act is something I'd pay to see!!!". Taylor Cummings, a true two way midfielder and we get to watch her for at least two more years of collegiate competition.

Kudos to Coach Danowski and the Blue Devils for a repeat performance. Notre Dame has alot to be proud of showing their character through the tournament. Folks we are witnessing the future of lacrosse with the stellar performances of Myles Jones and Sergio Perkovic. Two yound men, through countless hours of training have made themselves into players to be reconded with in the near future. Both the size of NFL tight ends and the athleticism of much smaller athletes.

Congratulations to Limestone and Tufts. Both showing the lacrosse world that the best of D2 and D3 can play with anyone. We knew that Tufts was remarkable when they beat RIT in the semi finals by a lopsided score and in the finals without their top offensive player. The D2 RAC committee must find a way to have the best two teams have a fighting chance to reach the finals. Kudos to LIU-Post, Adelphi, and NYIT for having super seasons.

At long last Maryland is back on top of D1 lacrosse, it's good for the game for you to be in the mix every year. Adelphi reigns supreme at the D2 level, but, again the semi final game was of championship caliber ( is the D2 theme coming through?) Last, but, not least are the women of Salisbury with a great tournament run, hustle, tenacity and team quickness triumphs again. Just remember there were two NESCAC teams in the semi finals. Will it be their future to be standing on the victory stand.

It's the start of the endless summer for College Lacrosse coaches, recruiting season has arrived. Get the travel chair, wide brimed hat, water and sun screen ready; it's a long June and July.
See you out there on the trail.

Respectfully submitted,
Russ Ketcham

For the Good and Welare of ...Lacrosse

A few musings and thoughts concerning the NCAA Tournament games going on now through Memorial Day.
1. Men’s Division I: Is it me or does the Ivy League get entirely too much respect from the NCAA RAC Committee. Penn, Cornell and Harvard don’t make it through the first round and Hofstra is left out in the cold. However, how about the Thompsons and the Albany Great Danes? As my brother said,” I’d pay good money to see that act!” Lacrosse the way it’s supposed to be played, having fun and experimenting with the talent that is inside of every lacrosse player. Mike Pressler’s game plan was a thing of beauty, and ‘Cuse is wondering when the shot clock is going to be implemented. Duke keeps getting better as the season continues. Notre Dame’s defense has their work cut out for them this week. How many of you would have predicted even 4 years ago that the Lacrosse Elite Eight would include Drexel, Denver and Bryant. Ain’t the growth wonderful!
2. Men’s Division II & III: Adelphi and LIU-Post get to settle it on the field and Tampa adds new blood to the equation. D3: Hey folks, Ithaca is a good lacrosse team, how good is RIT? Some tremendous match ups in the D3 quarter finals, most intriguing to me is the Denison/Salisbury match up.
3. Women’s Division I: Can MD continue their march past Duke? Is this the year that UF dethrones a Past champion in Northwestern? #3 UNC taking on #6 UVA a match up made in heaven, and “Cuse vs.BC, Revisiting the Big East, Women’s Lax style!
4. Division II & III: So glad the women get to travel to play the LIU-Post/Adelphi game. It gives the match up the prestige it deserves and Lockhaven and Lindenwood get a piece of that spotlight also. D3: My picks are Cortland, Salisbury, Trinity and TCNJ in the final four, Is there another team that will get that breakthrough win York? Amherst? Or will Gettysburg get a home game?

Have fun cheering for your favorite!!!

Respectfully submitted,
Russ Ketcham

For The Good and Welfare of...Lacrosse

1. Congratulations to the newly inducted members of the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation, Hall of Fame.

Tom Campolettano

Kevin Cassese

Ernie Olsen

Doug Shanahan

Judy Stamatis

Rich Wehman

All extremely derserving and representative of the talent that has been a part of the Lacrosse tradition here on Long Island and the Metropolitan New York area. All in attendance were inspired by their comments, as well as, those of Ron Chamerland, the receipient of the Whitey Hendrickson Life Time Achievement Award. All are extremely involved in furthering the growth of Lacrosse not only in the New York Metropolitan area, but also around the country and the world. It was truly my pleasure to be the Master of Ceremonies for this gala affair.

2. The weather here in the northeast has not been very conducive for the start of the college lacrosse season, especially if there is no indoor facility available for practices. Snow fall isn't helpful either. I was remindied by some of our veteran Hall of Fame members about " parking lot practices" in Cortland, Amherst, Hempstead, and all over the Island. I was reminded that there was one thing that rarely happened out those "long ago practices". Wooden sticks rarely were frozen so solid as to break in temperatures below freezing, and at $100 a head it becomes quite expensive.

3. For all of us at the commencement of a new season, lets remember why we're involved in this game. It is a gift given to us to enjoy the excitement of sharing an experience with others who also love this game. Let us all do our best to make that experience an enjoyable one for all those involved.

( I do appologize for the Typos, trying to get used to a new format of publishing these blogs.)