lacrosse

Article yesterday on Inside Lacrosse speculated that Hopkiins has been approached by the B1G for associate membership.  Not a lot of substance to the story, but if true this is huge news for lacrosse.  Would get the B1G to 6 teams, the magic number for conference formation and an AQ. 

Hopkins is the lacrosse version of Notre Dame.  Proud program with a ton of tradition.  Think they are the center of the lacrosse universe.  Have always been independant.  Only lacrosse program with their own TV deal (ESPN) to cover every home game.  Etc.  Lacrosse is their only D1 sport.  Everything else is D3.

From a B1G perspective interesting that they would actually consider an affiliate member.  Whole story is probably not a big deal to the majority, but for lacrosse followers this would be a major change to the landscape.

Article: http://insidelacrosse.com/news/2013/01/17/hopkins-draft

edit: Due to popular demand, changed the title.  Figured the fact that this was for lacrosse and had nothing to do with football would be assumed.

Just wanted to generate some discussion about lacrosse on the Board this evening.  I haven't seen any talk about how Maryland moving to the B1G will affect the lacross programs in the conference.  Maryland obviously has a premiere lacross program that is a regional fit among other mid-Atlantic schools.  Does anyone know what will happen with that sport?

[EDIT:  This is all I've seen on Michigan lacrosse recently:  http://mgoblog.com/links/michigan-lacrosse-quietly-releases-2013-schedule - no Maryland on the 2013 schedule (obviously).]

This news has really flown under the radar. It has been covered by no major media.

But Loyola, the defending national champions, has announced they will leave the ECAC in the 2014 season. Last year Michigan lost 15-8 to the greyhounds when they visited Ann Arbor. This is a big blow to the conference.

The ECAC just added their 8th member this year in Michigan. Now the ECAC will go back to a 7-team conference after this season. I'm starting to think that the ECAC may extend and invitation to another school to get to 8 members. I'm thinking they may offer detroit. Would create an in-state rivalry with Michigan that started last year, and they are a program trending upward.

http://www.collegecrosse.com/2012/8/29/3276753/loyola-patriot-league-ecac-maac-lacrosse-2013-2014-greyhounds

Michigan has finally replaced their departed offensive coordinator, Judd Lattimore. Ryan Danehy becomes the 3rd assistant coach in Michigan Lacrosse history.

Aug. 28, 2012

 

 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's lacrosse head coach John Paulannounced the hiring of assistant coach Ryan Danehy to the coaching staff for the 2013 season on Tuesday (Aug. 28). Danehy joins a staff that already includes defensive coordinator Ken Broschart. Danehy will serve as the team's offensive coordinator.

"Ryan Danehy is a great addition to the Michigan lacrosse program," said Paul. "He's a great coach, a tireless recruiter, and most importantly, he understands our culture here. I'm thrilled that he is joining our staff and can't wait to get to work with him."

Danehy spent the previous six years as an assistant coach at Dartmouth. He was promoted to offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator in 2012. Prior to last year, Danehy worked as an assistant offensive coordinator, goalie coordinator and assistant defensive coordinator.

Danehy was a four-year letterwinner at Dartmouth as an attackman from 2003-2006. He was the 49th overall selection in the Major League Lacrosse Draft in 2006. Danehy scored three goals in nine games playing for the Boston Cannons and Chicago Machine. He then joined the Dartmouth men's lacrosse staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2008 season.

"I'm extremely honored that Coach Paul has asked me to join the Michigan family," said Danehy. "On my initial visit, it was incredibly clear what Michigan's goals are in the coming years, both as a department and a men's lacrosse team, and I couldn't be more excited to be able to contribute to this mission. It's going to be an exciting year ahead."

In four years at Dartmouth, he started 39 games, compiling 73 goals and 11 assists. Danehy also tallied three goals and one assist in Dartmouth's first-ever tournament appearance against Syracuse in 2003.

Prior to Dartmouth, Danehy was an All-America lacrosse performer at Billerica High School. He was a four-year starter on attack and was a member of the 2001 Massachusetts lacrosse state championship squad. Danehy was also a four-year starter on the football team and a member of the 1999 Massachusetts division I state championship team.

Can't wait to see what the schedule is going to look like for this year! Already one game confirmed for this year which is a road game at ECAC foe Hobart.

I know there are a few potential gems in this class, but considering how late they got to work on it I'm surprised to see us in the top 20. 

http://insidelacrosse.com/news/2012/08/13/2012-recruiting-issue-mens-top-20-classes

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised.  This is Michigan, fergodsakes.

I know only about 10% of readers will even care about this, but it is Michigan lax related regardless.

The NCAA has proposed rules changes for the upcoming 2013, the rules will go to the Playing Rules Oversight Panel in September.  Here is a link to the article from laxpower.http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=30895

The highlights are:

1) The addition of a shot clock after the stall warning has been put into effect.  A shot is only considered if it hits the goalie, hits the post, or goes in, obviously.  

2) A few changes to stick checks, nothing unexpected really.

3) Restarts are going to much quicker; play will start as long as a player is at least 5 yards from the player with the ball.  There will no longer be a "grace period" to allow the defender to gain the position.

4) Numerous changes to face-offs in general.  The major ones are after 2 pre-whistle violations in one half teams will serve a 30-second technical foul, a player no longer has to leave the field if they commit a violation on the face-off and 4 players must stay back on defense during a face-off and 3 on offense.

5) There is talk of moving players on the face-off from the current 4" to 12".  

6) Subs will only occur on the fly, no more horn.  Again, to speed up the game.

For the most part I like the proposed rule changes.  The majority will make the game more entertaining for TV, faster paced and more emphasis on scoring with the shot clock.  The one rule that I hate is moving the face-off guys from the current 4" to 12", I think this will only lead to guys diving down head and neck first to get lower and more crashing together of heads.  In a time in sports when we are trying to prevent concussions this rule change seems to be moving in the opposite direction.

Thought?