It’s been a minute since we’ve had a Lax Links post, so this could be a long one. As always, the comments section, e-mail inbox, and Twitter account are your ways to get in touch to share any stories I may have missed, news tips, etc.
A new website covering lacrosse in the state has been launched: AllLacrosseMichigan. Mike Costello, coach at Gabriel Richard Greenhills (apologies to Mike for the initial mistake) and formerly writing at the Ann Arbor Examiner is behind the site. Check it out.
Scholarships
The Michigan Chapter of US Lacrosse has announced its 2013 scholarship program. The chapter has six $1,000 dollar grants to issue to graduating seniors playing lacrosse. Visit the website for more details and info on how to apply.
NCAA Men/The Next Level
Are you making it to Detroit‘s home opener against Quinnipiac Saturday morning? If so, two things to remember: bundle up, and bring some canned foods. The Titans’ third annual food drive also hopes to out-raise last year’s event, which reeled in 480 dollars in addition to canned goods.
Mike Costello (prior to introducing All Lacrosse Michigan) profiled Detroit attackman Shayne Adams on the Lacrosse Examiner. Adams has since been named to the Tewaaraton watch list.
Ready for some old pictures? Good. Photos from Detroit’s season-opening loss to Ohio State. Silver lining from that game: Ryan Callaghan was named the MAAC Newcomer of the Week. A couple shots from the UDM-Navy game made the cut for last week’s IL Photos of the Week feature.
Two players with Michigan ties are candidates for the Men’s Lacrosse Senior CLASS award. Penn State’s Nick Dolik (Brother Rice), and Detroit LSM Jordan Houtby both make the cut. UDM release on Houtby’s selection.
Brother Rice alums turned Penn State teammates Nick Dolik and Danny Henneghan reviewed their win over Michigan a couple weeks back in a video piece by the official Penn State site:
Air Force attackman Tommy McKee, a Holt alum, was named to the all-tournament team at the Frontier Airlines Faceoff.
I don’t have nearly the resources to cover non-Division I NCAA programs at length for The Next Level, but whenever somebody passes along some info, I’m here to post it. Florida Tech (of all places) has a strong Michigan connection, with freshman attack Alex Carlson (East Lansing HS) hailing from the Great Lax State. Carlson has started all four games so far this season for the second-year program, and is third on the team in scoring with five goals and six assists.
Uh oh. Michigan is one of five contenders for the College Crosse Reverse Survivor competition. I have a feeling that U-M will not return from their upcoming roadtrip with a win or two in hand, but we shall see. ESPN’s Devon Heinen covers Michigan’s transition from the club level to Division-1.
ESPN’s Paul Carcaterra says to keep an eye on Michigan freshman Kyle Jackson. Michigan is making moves on its dedicated lacrosse facilities. Michigan’s Team Two Tales talks with freshman midfielder Peter Kraus, who has emerged as a contributor in the last couple weeks.
Press release from Hope on the inaugural Division-3 teams in Holland.
Division-1 Expansion/Realignment
This would usually go in a separate realignment bullet, but I’ll keep it contained for now: The Atlantic Sun Conference’s existence will shake up the landscape in Division-1 Men’s lacrosse. More growth: UMass-Lowell will be a thing.
I’m pretty confident than Detroit will stay in the MAAC as long as they’re welcome (though the Catholic 7 will potentially consider them), but I’m also confident that a Big Ten Lacrosse conference is a matter of when, not if, and that could be sooner than some are expecting. It looks like the conference already has men’s and women’s lacrosse websites in the works.
NCAA Women
I often don’t give the ladies enough coverage around here. I know they’ve started their season by now, but how about a video preview of the Titans?
In the first couple weeks of the season, both senior Zaynib Hamze and sophomore Lexie McCormick have earned weekly conference honors.
MCLA
Great Lakes swag (courtesy @GVSULax)
Michigan State’s men’s lacrosse program will be hosting its 50th Anniversary dinner April 6, prior to the team’s CCLA matchup against Pitt at 9 p.m. It’s open to the public, and you can check out the full details or RSVP here.
Grand Valley State’s 2013 game helmets are special (pictured at right).
Club/Summer/Camps
The Midwest Regional team for Michigan has been selected for the 2013 Brine National Lacrosse Classic. The Classic takes place June 30-July 3 in Maryland.
The Midwest Lax Bash is looking for teams to register. Check their site for more info.
Grand Valley will host its first-ever lacrosse camp July 29-Aug. 1.
Premier Lacrosse Group will hold a clinic this Sunday from 4-6 at Detroit Country Day’s indoor facility.
Bloomfield Women’s lacrosse will host clinics at East Hills Middle School this week.
Grow The Game
Are you a young player in the Flint/Swartz Creek area? It’s your lucky day, thanks to a new youth program launching in the area. I love to see new areas emerge with excellent youth programs, so check it out if you’re local.
Speaking of new programs, how about a high school program with the combined efforts of Macomb Chippewa Valley and Macomb Dakota? Interested students/parents contact coach Eric Post here.
The growth of the game shall not be slowed! How about St. Clair/Marysville area? Try Blue Water Lacrosse.
Recruiting
If you like to follow lacrosse recruiting, check out TopLaxRecruits.com, which is taking the recruiting focus of PhillyLacrosse.com to a national scale.
Grand Valley State has been on a recruiting tear, picking up commitments from Forest Hills Central longpole Tyler Quinn and FHC attackman Neil Cunningham.
In Division-1, 2014 Holt attackman Paulie Schalau has committed to UMass. Haslett attack Noah Taylor committed to Furman.
In D-3 news, Clarkston attack Kyle O’Grady committed to Albion. Nate Cantin from Detroit Catholic Central will continue his playing career at Aquinas. Haslett defensman Aaron Baetz committed to Otterbein. Romeo senior midfielder Austin Glusac committed to the upstart program at Illinois Wesleyan.
Inside Lacrosse covers Boca Raton (Fla.) St. Andrews 2015 defenseman Jake Bargas’ commitment to Michigan:
Jake Bargas, D, Saint Andrew’s (Fla.) has verbally committed to the University of Michigan. The 6-4, 225-pound sophomore defenseman lettered in three varsity sports as a freshman (Basketball, Football, and Lacrosse). He Attended Jake Reed’s Nike Blue Chip and was a Hot Bed’s All-Star playing for Team Florida. Also considered Penn, Syracuse, Denver and Richmond.
He’s a legacy of sorts – older brother Jordan ended his career due to injury in the 2012 season – and a big pickup.
High School
Warren De La Salle coach Mike Jolly earned the Gerald J. Carroll Exemplary Coach Award from U.S. Lacrosse. Huge honor for a local coach.
Mike Costello of All Lacrosse Michigan sits down with MHSAA Associate Director Tom Rashid to talk about some of the issues in high school lacrosse in the state:
All Star games are frowned upon by the MHSAA – why is there so much concern?
The all-star and nation high school championship prohibition are also regulations which tend to maintain proper scope and perspective in high school sports.
I’ve stumped about this on other platforms, talking about other sports: That’s secret code for “we want control over student-athletes, regardless of whether it benefits or damages their welfare.” If a student wants to participate in an all-star showcase on their own dime, the MHSAA shouldn’t step in and prevent that from happening.
Brother Rice at No. 4 is Michigan’s only representation on the Inside Lacrosse Midwest power rankings.
Highlights from last May’s Forest Hills Central/East Grand Rapids matchup, courtesy Laxx.tv.
Cranbrook will participate in the Fisher House Charity Lacrosse Showcase May 11 in Chesterland, Ohio.
Holt’s varsity and JV schedules are available on their website. Caledonia’s schedule is available on their website.