The New England Patriots are spending this week preparing for a visit from the Ravens Sunday, but that didn't stop Patriots coach Bill Belichick from talking a little lacrosse during a conference call with media members who cover the Ravens on Wednesday.

Belichick, who grew up in Annapolis and graduated from Annapolis High School, spent at least five minutes of his 15-minute conference call discussing lacrosse.

Regarding his relationship with Johns Hopkins and coach Dave Pietramala, Belichick said, "It’s a strong one. Coach Pietramala has been a good friend. Certainly enjoy talking to him and exchanging ideas about coaching and preparation and things like that and stats and players. I know the sports are different and all, but coaching is still coaching to a large degree and handling your team, there’s a lot of carryover even though the sports are different. He’s given me the opportunity to be around his teams, on the practice field, at games, and in meetings and in preparation. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve taken a lot of things that he’s done and incorporated them into some of the things that we do – more in terms of coaching and preparation style and that type of thing. He’s come up to visit us here a few times in training camp and at games, and I have a great exchange of ideas with him, and he’s been a huge help. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he’s done and what he’s done with that great program, which I’ve always admired – even though I grew up at the Naval Academy and bleed blue and gold. But being that close to Hopkins and the program that they run there from when he was a player until now as a coach, I just have tremendous respect for him and the entire Johns Hopkins lacrosse program. It’s first class and they do things the right way. It’s been a great opportunity for me to watch them up close and see how they do some of the things they do so well."

Continue reading "Bill Belichick talks lacrosse" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Johns Hopkins, Navy
        

Longtime Middlebury College lacrosse field manager Peter Kohn passed away this morning after suffering a heart attack last Saturday while on a fishing trip near his home in Cape May, N.J.

Mr. Kohn, a former field manager at the Park School, suffered from a mild form of autism, but was a beloved member of the lacrosse community. I didn't know Mr. Kohn, so here are links to two publications that have much deeper perspective on Mr. Kohn's impact on the sport.

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/08/05/longtime-middlebury-lacrosse-field-manager-peter-kohn-passes-away/

http://www.laxmagazine.com/blogs/badder/080509_peter_kohn

Posted by Edward Lee at 8:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

For the second time in eight months, the Cavaliers program has lost a valued family member.

On Saturday, Michael Colley, an assistant sports information director who fielded all media requests connected to the Virginia lacrosse team died during a walk while vacationing with friends in Virginia Beach, according to the school. Colley was 46.

Colley's suddent death comes on the heels of the death of former short-stick defensive midfielder Will Barrow, whose body was found in his Charlottesville apartment on Nov. 22. Although Newsday reported it was an apparent suicide, no one from the Cavaliers has confirmed that initial report.

Colley was in charge of the football and lacrosse teams at Virginia and was a tireless representative for both teams. I can remember covering last March's seven-overtime thriller between the Cavaliers and Maryland, and Colley had worked up sweat trying to feed the media as much information as he could despite working outside in 50-degree temperature. And he still found a way to get us reporters an opportunity to interview whomever we requested.

My condolences to the Colley family and the rest of the Cavaliers.

Posted by Edward Lee at 6:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Johns Hopkins and coach Dave Pietramala agreed to a two-year extension that will keep Pietramala with the Blue Jays through the 2015 season, the school announced earlier this morning.

Pietramala recently wrapped his ninth season and became the second-winningest coach in the program's history as he has compiled a 106-30 (.779) record at Johns Hopkins. He has guided the Blue Jays to national championships in 2005 and 2007 and runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2008. The team has qualified for the NCAA tournament in each of Pietramala's nine seasons.

"We are fortunate to have the finest men's lacrosse coach in the nation leading our program," athletic director Tom Calder told the school's website. "Dave Pietramala's coaching resume speaks for itself, but the success our players have had in the classroom and their extensive involvement in community service initiatives is something that we also take great pride in. The manner in which Dave and his players represent Johns Hopkins is exemplary and we look forward to many more years with Dave leading our program."

"The dedication our administration has shown to the men's lacrosse program during my tenure is remarkable," Pietramala was quoted as saying. "Our coaches and players recognize the privilege it is to represent Johns Hopkins University and we take that privilege very seriously. It has been exciting to coach so many fine young men and we look forward to working with another outstanding group during the 2010 season. We look forward to building on the tradition of Johns Hopkins lacrosse under the leadership of our new President, Ron Daniels."

Posted by Edward Lee at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Johns Hopkins
        

Last June, I published my version of the 2009 preseason poll and added another entry of three teams that I thought had potential. So in keeping with that tradition, here are three teams that did not finish above .500 and missed the tournament this past season. But what they do have is intrigue in either the form of returning players, a new head coach or a campaign that just fell short of the tournament. In alphabetical order, the teams flying under the radar are:

Continue reading "Review & preview: Three teams under the radar" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Review & preview, Towson
        

Here is the final installment of a preseason and premature poll for the 2010 season, publishing the teams ranked from Nos. 5 to 1.

Unless there are confirmed reports about certain players planning to use fifth years of eligibility, this space will assume that seniors in 2009 will not be back next season. Unannounced fifth-year seniors and potential transfers will affect the rankings that come out next February, but here are the teams that I think will fall between Nos. 5 and 1.

Continue reading "Review & preview: Premature poll Part 4" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Johns Hopkins, Review & preview
        

The Retrievers will take their game overseas as participants in the International Friendship Games as part of an 11-day tour to Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan. The players and coaches from this past season’s team will leave Baltimore on Thursday and join in commemorating the 20^th anniversary of this event.

"We have a great relationship with the Japan Lacrosse Association [JLA]," coach Don Zimmerman told the school’s website. "This past fall, they sent a team over here and after the game, we had a tailgate for them. One of the principle ideas of the JLA is ‘Lacrosse Makes Friends.’ We understand that and give them the opportunity not only to play, but to socialize. As a result, they are always excited for UMBC to come over and participate in this event."

The Retrievers will compete against the Under-20 Toyko squad and the Japan National
squad on Saturday before facing the Under-22 Japan National Squad in Edogawa Stadium in an International Friendship Game on Sunday. The team will play against two collegiate teams on Tuesday before heading to Nagoya the following day.

The squad is scheduled to tour the Nagoya Castle and the Toyota Motor Corporation on Thursday, June 18 and will take part in a clinic the next day. UMBC will then compete in the second International Friendship game against the Nagoya Regional squad on Saturday, June 20 before returning to Baltimore on Sunday.

Fans can follow the team by logging onto www.umbcretrievers.com and going to "The Dawg Blog." Several players will be submitting entries during the trip.

Posted by Edward Lee at 3:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: UMBC
        

Here is the third installment of a preseason and premature poll for the 2010 season, publishing the teams ranked from Nos. 10 to 6. Thursday will be the last entry, featuring the teams ranked from Nos. 5 to 1.

Unless there are confirmed reports about certain players planning to use fifth years of eligibility, this space will assume that seniors in 2009 will not be back next season. Unannounced fifth-year seniors and potential transfers will affect the rankings that come out next February, but here are the teams that I think will fall between Nos. 10 and 6.

Continue reading "Review & preview: Premature 2010 poll Part 3" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Maryland, Navy, Review & preview
        

As first reported by Inside Lacrosse, longtime Princeton head coach Bill Tierney agreed on Monday to assume the same position at Denver after 22 years with the Tigers. It’s a surprising development considering that the 57-year-old Tierney was considered the face – and some would say raspy, passionate voice – of a Princeton program that captured six national championships under Tierney’s tutelege.

Tierney’s presence should pay immediate dividends for Denver, which endured a disappointing 7-8 campaign this past spring after two trips in three years to the NCAA tournament and witnessed the dismissal of three players and the resignation of head coach Jamie Munro.

Tierney’s background as a defensive whiz should improve a Pioneers unit that surrendered 10 or more goals in seven losses. His prowess at recruiting should make Denver a quality destination for blue-chip prospects. And with the Pioneers moving to a revamped Eastern College Athletic Conference, they suddenly become Loyola’s primary contender for the league title.

So what does this mean for the Tigers, who were 390-354-19 before Tierney and 238-86 under Tierney? Associate head coach David Metzbower, who just completed his 20^th season at Princeton, becomes the leading candidate to succeed Tierney. But don’t be surprised if the Tigers make a run at Cornell coach Jeff Tambroni, who has guided the Big Red to at least a share of the last seven Ivy League titles, or one of the young up-and-coming Ivy League coaches like Harvard’s John Tillman or Brown’s Lars Tiffany.

Posted by Edward Lee at 1:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Yesterday, I released the first installment of a preseason and premature poll for the 2010 season, publishing the teams ranked from Nos. 15 to 11. Wednesday will feature Nos. 10 to 6 and Thursday, Nos. 5 to 1.

Unless there are confirmed reports about certain players planning to use fifth years of eligibility, this space will assume that seniors in 2009 will not be back next season. Unannounced fifth-year seniors and potential transfers will affect the rankings that come out next February, but here are the teams that I think will fall between Nos. 15 and 11.

Continue reading "Review & preview: Premature 2010 poll Part 2" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Loyola, Review & preview
        

Here is one observer’s attempt to take a crack at a preseason and premature poll for the 2010 season. I will break up the top 20 into four installments with today’s entry looking at teams ranked from Nos. 20 to 16. Tuesday will feature Nos. 15 to 11, Wednesday Nos. 10 to 6 and Thursday Nos. 5 to 1.

Unless there are confirmed reports about certain players planning to use fifth years of eligibility, this space will assume that seniors in 2009 will not be back next season. Unannounced fifth-year seniors and potential transfers will affect the rankings that come out next February, but let’s take a spin.

Continue reading "Review & preview: Premature 2010 poll Part I" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Review & preview, UMBC
        

Here’s the final installment of a new series that checks in with the seven Division I programs in the state to give a glimpse into the past and the future. Next week, we’ll unveil our take on next season’s top-20 poll. Today, we take a spin with Johns Hopkins.

Continue reading "Review & preview: Johns Hopkins" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Johns Hopkins, Review & preview
        

It sounds like junior Brian Farrell will return to his previous position as the Terps’ long-stick midfielder after dabbling with a close defenseman’s position this past spring.

Coach Dave Cottle didn’t go as far as to confirm that move, but his comments seem to suggest that sophomore Brett Schmidt, who moved from long-stick midfielder to close defenseman when Farrell was lost for the season after suffering rib and lung injuries just three games into the year, will remain in that position. Farrell will likely return to his old spot.

"I think Brian will be a guy that we use on faceoffs and play some down low, but he’ll also play some pole because he’s really dangerous going from defense to offense," Cottle said, adding that the school plans to help Farrell apply for a medical redshirt that will give him two more seasons of eligibility. "Not only is he a good defender, but he also will help us in transition."

Cottle also said that junior goalkeeper Brian Phipps is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on June 16. Although recovery usually takes about 12 months, Cottle said Phipps tore the ACL in his right knee in August of his senior year at Severn and was ready for season opener.

"We hope that he will be ready," Cottle said.

Posted by Edward Lee at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Maryland
        

Here’s the penultimate installment of a new series that checks in with the seven Division I programs in the state to give a glimpse into the past and the future. Today, we take a visit with Maryland.

Continue reading "Review & preview: Maryland" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Maryland, Review & preview
        

In addition to scheduling a regular-season contest against Towson for the first time since April 12, 1997, the Midshipmen agreed to renew a series with Loyola. The two programs have not played against each other since a playoff game on May 15, 1993 and a regular-season contest on April 3, 1943.

The Greyhounds will replace Navy’s game against Ohio State in the middle of February, and Midshipmen coach Richie Meade joked that it only took him 10 years to figure out that a trip to Baltimore is more economically feasible and less physically taxing than visiting Columbus, Ohio.

"Loyola is right down the block," he said. "It made a lot of sense. I think we’re a good game for them, and they’re certainly a good game for us. I think the games will draw great crowds, and I think there will be a lot of local interest. They will be big games. We play in some big games, but we need to play in more big games. I think that helps you."

Posted by Edward Lee at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Loyola, Navy
        

Here’s the fifth installment of a new series that checks in with the seven Division I programs in the state to give a glimpse into the past and the future. Today, we take a spin with Navy.

Continue reading "Review & preview: Navy" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 4:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Navy, Review & preview
        

While talking to Don Zimmerman for today’s Review & Preview, the Retrievers coach said senior defenseman Bobby Atwell’s torn anterior cruciate ligament is healing according to schedule.

Atwell’s doctors have prohibited him from playing any lacrosse, but he is rehabilitating.

"All indications are that his knee is going to be where it needs to be," Zimmerman said. "I know it was a tough year for Bobby, but I think that’s going to help him be even more ready to come back and resume his role on this team."

Posted by Edward Lee at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: UMBC
        

Here’s the fourth installment of a new series that checks in with the seven Division I programs in the state to give a glimpse into the past and the future. Today, we take a visit with UMBC.

Continue reading "Review & preview: UMBC" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Review & preview, UMBC
        

There are some who will argue that a miscarriage of justice occurred when the Tewaaraton, lacrosse’s version of the Heisman, was handed to the Big Red’s Max Seibald.

Certainly, the senior midfielder didn’t have the numbers that competitors like Duke attackman Ned Crotty, Virginia attackman Danny Glading and even Bryant attackman Zack Greer had. And proponents of Syracuse midfielder Matt Abbott will assert that he was a versatile workhorse who played for an Orange team that captured an NCAA-record 11 national titles and second in a row.

But Seibald, who registered 28 goals and 10 assists, was the undisputed leader of a Cornell squad that some might say overachieved in reaching the NCAA championship final against Syracuse on Memorial Day. He took faceoffs, played defense, and was the glue of a program that hadn’t been to the Final Four before Seibald’s presence since 1988. With Seibald, the Big Red went to the semifinals in 2007 and 2009.

Continue reading "Cornell's Seibald wins the Tewaaraton" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

With Ohio State, Denver, Air Force, Quinnipiac and Bellarmine migrating from the Great Western Lacrosse League, playing in the Eastern College Athletic Conference figures to be a boon for the Greyhounds in terms of inflating their air miles.

But unlike his East Coast counterparts, Loyola coach Charley Toomey said he has asked his administration to schedule a home game against Denver and an away game against Air Force (or vice versa) and a home game against Ohio State and an away game against Bellarmine (or vice versa).

"I just think these conference games are too doggone important to try to play two of them in one weekend," he said. "… You’re dealing with travel, you’re dealing with the altitude. For me, those games are too doggone important to take lightly."

There will be no conference tournament in 2010, but the league is expected to discuss implementing a four-team tourney in 2011 and beyond. The dilemma for the Greyhounds is that the final weekend of the regular season is usually reserved for their annual tilt with Johns Hopkins.

Continue reading "Loyola taking to the skies next season" »

Posted by Edward Lee at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Loyola