Albany Coach Scott Marr urges a call to action at Standing Rock in letter to Lacrosse Community

University at Albany head coach Scott Marr released a letter to Inside Lacrosse urging for a call to action in support of the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters. Marr, along with Lyle Thompson and Bill O'Brien returned from a trip last week to North Dakota where they met with #NODAPL protesters and taught them the game of lacrosse.

Scott Marr (Photo Courtesy ualbanysports.com)

Dear Lacrosse Community,

As I walked today, I reflected on our game of lacrosse, worrying that the larger the game gets the further we get from the knowledge and understanding of its Native American origins. The game of lacrosse is a gift from the Creator of the Americans native to this country, which fortunately has been shared with us to play, coach and watch. Coaches I know across all levels, including myself, make attempts to translate this history, along with our profound respect for the game to our players, parents and fans. My recent trip to the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota with Onondaga natives, Lyle Thompson; his wife, Amanda; their three young daughters; and Bill O’Brien provided me with the unique experience of participating in the game as it was intended — as a medicine game, played for healing and peace — which I hope will improve my own translation. However, at this time just improving that translation is not enough. Action is needed.

As we move past Thanksgiving and prepare for our upcoming winter holidays and spring lacrosse seasons, these people are energetically preparing for winter, continuing to fight and possibly die for the basic rights of safety for their people and the sovereignty of their land and culture. I continue my own personal activism by appealing to each of you, as members of an ever growing lacrosse community to work to enlighten yourself to the plights of the Native American peoples, particularly those of the Standing Rock nation by reading information available in major newpapers, on standwithstandingrock.net, and Twitter (#NoDAPL, #Standingwith Standing Rock, #WaterIsLife). I am in hopes that your enlightenment will result in your vocal support for the human rights of Native Americans and our environment, and that our lacrosse communities will band together in meaningful and hopefully, creative forms of action. An old Native American saying recognizes, “When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that one cannot eat money.”

I feel strongly that in order to continue to play, coach, ref and enjoy the game of lacrosse with respect for its origins we need a call to action. Use social media to get the message out to as many people as possible. Call your congressmen, or even call the White House (202) 456-1111 to leave a message in support of stopping the pipeline. Finally, I urge you all to visit the standwithstandingrock.net site and sign the petition to stop the pipeline permanently in a sign of lacrosse community solidarity. Our unified voices will make a difference.

Scott C. Marr 
Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach 
University at Albany

From left, Bill O'Brien, Lyle Thompson, Scott Marr

Paul Rabil raises money for children with learning differences

Paul Rabil - New York Lizards (MLL)

The Paul Rabil Foundation will have a fundraiser hosted at the New York Athletic Club on Dec. 7. The foundation, which was formed by two-time MLL Most Valuable Player Paul Rabil, helps children with learning differences through sports and scholarships.

Paul Rabil (Center) -Holiday Magic Gala 2013 (Paul Rabil Foundation)

"We raise money for scholarships for kids and those families that may struggle to afford the opportunity to send their kids to a school that will specialize in specialized education," Rabil said. "And now we're looking to support public schools as well."

Paul Rabil (Photo by Josh Rotman)

As a child, Rabil battled through his own learning differences dealing with a condition known as "auditory processing disorder". Now, he is trying to help other children through his own experiences.

Paul Rabil (MLL)

"I struggled in the classroom," said Rabil. "But I found a lot of inspiration, and my know-how in terms of work ethic and confidence on the athletic fields, particularly in lacrosse...helps cross over into the classroom with the work ethic that I took from the field and that desire to achieve at a high level."

Paul Rabil Foundation

Rabil started the foundation in 2009 to assist children with learning differences such as dyslexia and APD. Through donations, the foundation has been able to fund scholarships and build lacrosse programs at schools. Rabil's foundation has raised over $400,000 in scholarships and collected over $50,000 in lacrosse equipment.

National Lacrosse League announces new viewing platform by Sportsrocket

Miles Thompson-Georgia Swarm (Photo Courtesy NLL)

The National Lacrosse League and Sportsrocket, run by Classic Sports Network and College Sports Television founder Brian Bedol, will create streaming, video on demand, video sharing and social highlights for NLL games.

John Grant, Jr.-Colorado Mammoth (Photo Courtesy NLL)

The new platform will be available under three subscription packages that go on sale Tuesday. Ad-supported content will be available for free to all users which will include full games on demand on a 24-hour delay, highlights, features and programs. The subscriptions cover access to live, full-length regular season games. A full-season pass will cost $34.95, single-team passes are $24.95 and single-game passes will be $4.95 per game.

"In partnering with Sportsrocket, we're investing in the future of sports entertainment," said Nick Sakiewicz, commissioner of the National Lacrosse League. "By providing a digital platform that dedicates itslef so strongly to the consumer experience, we'll be able to provide our fans with the most action-packed, accessible and engaging content of the box lacrosse world."

Shayne Jackson-Georgia Swarm (Photo by Scott Pierson)

The National Lacrosse League's nine teams from the U.S. and Canada begin their 31st season on Dec. 29.

Native Based Lacrosse announces fundraiser for 501 (c)3 status

Courtesy of Native Based Lacrosse

Native Based Lacrosse out of Long Beach, Calif. is accepting donations in order to raise money to file as a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization. The organization, founded by former Cal State Long Beach lacrosse player Thomas 'TJ' Reed, seeks to bring the game of lacrosse to Native Americans of all ages and their supporters.

Native Based Lacrosse hosts frequent gatherings at Puvunga on the CSULB campus on weekends. The organizations goal is to use the sport of lacrosse to bring people together in a positive atmosphere while spreading the lessons of the creators game and devolping Native based lacrosse teams from the youth to adult level.

Courtesy Native Based Lacrosse

Donations can be made through the organizations Blast Athletics fundraising page.

Plenty of opportunities for pick up games and adult leagues in southern California

Courtesy Glendale, CA pick-up lacrosse

Tribz Lacrosse has the Tribz Winter League sign ups going on now. The league features a 6 game schedule with 2 games per team on Saturdays at Rancho San Juaquin Middle School starting December 3rd. Registration is open to high school age players and adults, each with their own division.

Courtesy Tribz Lacrosse

There are also different options for weekend pick-up games. Orange County Pick-up Game has games on Saturday or Sunday mornings at Aliso Niguel High School.

Courtesy of Orange County Pick-up Game

Glendale, CA pick-up lacrosse hosts Sunday morning pick-up for high school age and up and Los Angeles Masters Lacrosse puts on refereed Masters games at Glendale High School.

Courtesy Glendale, CA pick-up lacrosse

The ULAX Los Angeles fall league just wrapped up but a new adult league season is scheduled for next summer. ULAX Orange County was not able to register enough players for it's fall league this year.

Cal-State Long Beach brings fall ball to a close at the Freeway 6-way Fall Lacrosse Tournament at UC Irvine

Photo by Chris Brignola

Cal-State Long Beach wrapped up fall lacrosse last weekend with 4 games in one day at the UC Irvine hosted Freeway 6-way tournament at ARC fields. Long Beach lost 15-3 in their first game of the day to top ranked Concordia-Irvine but then went on to beat UCI 6-5 with an overtime Braveheart goal by team captain Corey Shrimpl. Long Beach also lost to Newport Lacrosse Club 7-3 and defeated Occidental College 8-1.

Corey Schrimpl was a Scholar Athlete recipient last season for 8-3 Long Beach as well as receiving second team all-conference honors. He answered some questions in an interview.

Q: Was there anything personal going into your Braveheart matchup?

A: No, at the time there was nothing personal, but looking back it felt even better to win because that Irvine player (Matthew Marano) received first team all-conference honors last season and I received second team all conference. I've always felt I've worked harder than him and I think it showed on that faceoff.

Corey Shrimpl CSULB (Photo by Andy Meza)

Q: How does this years team compare to last seasons?

A: This team looks more offensively organized and prideful than last years. Last years team relied on our athleticism and this year I think we are gonna let our stickwork and discipline win us games. We are also closer as a team this year, which hopefully will transition into better communication and cohesion.

Q: What are your thoughts on the current state and growth of the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference?

A: The current state of the SLC is strong. The bottom half teams of the league are getting stronger, ourselves and Irvine. The only way it will continue to grow is if we can keep the league expenses down so that teams can expand and more players are willing to join and play the great game.

Corey Shrimpl CSULB (Photo by Rafael Sagura)

Q: Do you plan on staying with the sport of lacrosse after graduating?

A: I plan on playing my whole life. Hopefully continuing to play in grad school and after that in a local men's league. I also have goals of coaching at the high school or college level. Lacrosse isn't going away anytime soon for me.

Q: Are there any memorable players or coaches who have influenced your game?

A: My high school coach had the biggest impact on my game. He taught me to play freely and creatively. Last year, my teammate Tony McElroy had a big impact on me to push myself physically and to focus on the little things during the game that don't show up on the stat sheet.

Concordia-Irvine Tops SLC 2017 MCLA Division II Pre-Season Coaches Poll

Coaches from the twelve teams in the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference announced their 2017 pre-season rankings. Concordia-Irvine, which has held the SLC division II trophy for the past 4 years, received the unanimous nod at the top of the coaches poll.

Photo Courtesy MCLA

Cal-State Fullerton, which finished at 10-4 last season, came in at number two. University of San Diego came in a close third in the poll to Northern Arizona which finished 9-5 last season compared to San Diego at 7-9. San Diego also played four dvision I teams last spring while they made the transition to division II.

SLC Division II Preseason Coaches Poll

Rank	Team	Points	1st votes
1.	Concordia-Irvine	8	8
2.	Cal State Fullerton	16
3.	San Diego	28
4.	Northern Arizona	31
5.	Cal State San Marcos	40
6t.	Cal State Long Beach	52
6t.	UC San Diego	52
8.	UC Irvine	63
9.	Biola	71
10.	Occidental	79
11.	Marymount	91
12	Cal State Channel Islands	93

Concordia went 14-1 last season and 20-1 in 2015, winning the SLC division II title but losing in the MCLA national tournament. Concordia remains at the top of the pre-season rankings despite losing three All-Americans from last years squad.

Jake Pense (Concordia-Irvine)

They have 18 returning players including five starters from last seasons team, Brandon Mayo (Tesoro), attack, second team All-SLC; Jake Pense (De La Salle-Concord), defense, second team All-American; Cade Christensen (Salem Academy, Ore.), defense, SLC All-Freshman; Max Satossky (San Clemente), attack, third team All-American, and Winston Robertson (St. Margaret's), defense, third team All-American.

Photo Courtesy Daily Titan

Cal-State Fullerton features returning first team All-American attackman Micah Willis (Huntington beach) and second team All-American midfielder Alex Kowalski (Huntington Beach). Concordia beat Fullerton last year 14-10 in a live streamed SLC game of the week.

Lacrosse Stars show support for Native Americans on Thanksgiving

Lacrosse athletes took to social media during the Thanksgiving holiday with many thoughts revolving around Native Americans and the North Dakota Access Pipeline protests. University of Albany player Bill O'Brien posted his thoughts on the irony of todays Thanksgiving NFL matchup of the Dallas Cowboys vs the Washington Redskins on Twitter.

 

Bill O'Brien‏@Bill_OBrien96

Happy thanksgiving, only in America are we able to appreciate the irony here @dallascowboys vs @Redskins schedule makers are laughing.

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1:35 PM - 24 Nov 2016

O'Brien and Lyle Thompson just returned from visiting Standing Rock, North Dakota where they tought the game of lacrosse to the peaceful protestors of the North Dakota Access Pipeline. Along with the #NoDapl protests, there is also controversy surrounding the NFL's Washington franchise team name. Washington owner Daniel Snyder, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and even President-elect Donald Trump have defended the teams use of the name Redskins while many Native Americans have called it offensive.

Bill O'Brien (left) and Lyle Thompson (right) giving lacrosse instructions to Native protestors. (Photo by Scott Marr)

Lyle Thompson has used his fame and large social media following as a recent platform for political activism. Thompson only became an activist on Oct. 13 when he shared a Bernie Sanders tweet about the Dakota Access Pipeline with his 15,000 followers on Twitter.

 

Bernie SandersVerified account‏@SenSanders

The Dakota Access pipeline would have the same impact on the planet as adding 21.4 million more cars. #NoDAPL

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9:34 AM - 13 Oct 2016

0 replies4,866 retweets6,696 likes

"I'm not someone who wanted to get into the whole social issue of it all. Especially because I know most of my followers come for lacrosse. Some aren't even familiar with that whole thing. But it was getting no national media attention," said Thompson.

Thompson Brothers Lacrosse has been taking a more prominent role in social issues with the help of other members of the Thompson family. Lyle Thompson admits that his father was not initially supportive.

Lyle Thompson and Miles Thompson (Marc Seratoga/Gettty Images)

"My father wasn't a big fan of it," said Thompson. "He said 'All you're doing is stirring up a pot.' I said to him, 'That's why I'm here. Who else is going to stir this pot? Who else is going to speak out on things like this?

Speaking out against his father was a difficult choice for Thompson, especially growing up in a home with traditional Native American values. Thompson stood his ground and changed his fathers mind.

"If anybody else does it, it's not going to mean as much. People listen to the words I have to say." said Thompson. "I told him this and now he supports it."

Paul Rabil also showed his support for Lyle Thompson and Standing Rock on Twitter.

 

Paul RabilVerified account‏@PaulRabil

Here's @Lyle4Thompson protesting at Standing Rock. An athlete and activist. Well done, brother. #NoDAPL

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5:00 AM - 23 Nov 2016