It feels like it’s been ages since the most recent Lax Links post, so let’s hop right into the content. Tips, etc. can find my inbox via e-mail or twitter.
Michigan
Coaching clinics – all of which I attended last year – return to Ann Arbor this offseason. The first one is tonight, e-mail Director of Operations Joe Hennessy for details.
The Wolverines continue their series introducing the first freshman class, and Californian Brendan Gaughan got the treatment, followed by Dan Kinek,
Quint Kessenich lists Michigan as the top new program in terms of potential.
Last year’s top goal, Emil Weiss, will not return to the U-M lacrosse team. Freshman Gerald Logan will be the starter.
Penn State will play at Michigan Feb. 9, and Air Force comes to town March 30. I expect to see the rest of the U-M schedule later this evening, so stay tuned.
U-M recap of the Nick Colleluori Classic. The event raised nearly 200k.
Michigan women’s coach Jenny Ulehla talks about the beginning stages of that program in Ann Arbor.
Detroit
Photos from the Alumni Day in Detroit. UDM story on the event.
UDM midfielder West Steen has been elected vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Other Collegiate
Detroit Catholic Central alum Jake Marmul returns to Notre Dame after a four-year career with the Irish. He will be an assistant coach for the Notre Dame women’s team.
George Washington University in Washington, D.C. has a coach with Michigan connections: Joe Opron played at Troy Athens High School and Oakland University. GWU is in its first year as an MCLA-1 program, participating in the SELC. The team is one of just a few major club squads participating near lacrosse hotbeds.
Grand Valley State has fallball contests this Sunday against Alma.
Ann Arbor Pioneer alum Mike Derrenberger has joined the staff at D-3 Manhattanville.
Recruiting
Not strictly GLS-related, but MDHigh.com, a Rivals.com network site, now has a message board dedicated to lacrosse recruiting. Given that most schools recruit the Baltimore area from time-to-time, it’s something to keep an eye on.
Inside Lacrosse touches on Michigan’s forays into New Jersey.
Etc.
An MCLA-2 team is apparently close to going the NCAA D-3 route, but don’t bother checking – there are no Michigan-based MCLA-2 squads whose schools are D-3 in athletics.
Wow – that’s a bummer about Weiss. I guess that explains why M has been recruiting so many goalies. Any idea why he left? He was our starting goalie and looked pretty strong for a freshman.
I don’t know much about Gerald Logan. Is he pretty good? (I hope).
My speculation is that he wasn’t pleased about being passed on the depth chart by a younger player, and left on his own terms instead of putting in the work and not being “the guy” anymore.
Replying to my own post – I went back and read your articles that mentioned Logan, and he sounds pretty solid. A couple times you mentioned that he might be the starter even with Weiss still around. Obviously this hurts our depth, but it sounds like Logan should be about as good as freshman Weiss, which isn’t the end of the world. 2013 should be nice with Logan and Zonino battling it out, since he sounds LEGIT.
College programs typically recruit one goalie a year, which is exactly what Michigan is doing. Zonino next year and Heidt the year after are top 50 level players and top 5 level goalies. If Logan is indeed better than Weiss, he had to see the writing on the wall. Of course there could be other factors, since none of us know the guy. Lots of guys have left the team for various reasons as they make the culture changes that Coach Paul is always talking about. Typically “culture change” means higher expectations on and off the field and more accountability. Not all kids want that. Bo’s famous “those who stay will be champions” was a product of culture change. Team Two’s practice helmets say “Those Who Stay…” on the back. No coincidence.
There might be other factors that none of us know. Academics? Not used to Midwest winters? Homesickness? Lots of potential reasons for a freshman to bolt. I must admit I’m sad that he did, as he showed lots of potential. Best wishes to Emil wherever he goes.
It was a playing time thing. He knew Logan was going to pass him on the depth chart.
Doubt it’s the winters – kid spent the year before in Connecticut. It’s not like he moved here from Guatemala.
But yeah, sounds like PT to me. If he wasn’t the starter this year, he wasn’t going to be next year with Zonino. Which is lame, I think, because guys work hard and win spots all the time. Some kids just don’t want to have to do that.
Then I’ll look on the bright side. If a decent goalie transfers due to incoming talent, then it must mean that Logan and Zonino are high caliber goalie recruits.
Logan will be good. He’s at least as good as Weiss. Zonino and Heidt are potential stars if you put any stock in all of the recruit chatter. Have heard very good things about Garn, their 2015 goalie commit, as well.