by Dan Wishengrad on Sat Apr 23, 2005 2:53 am
God does not burst from a burning bush and deliver unto us the MVP stone tablets. Nor does the Lord decree the method by which his apostles shall choose the new lacrosse messiahs. Bishops (Head Coaches) vote after each game for 2-4 all-stars from the opposing teams. They are free to award these votes how ever they see fit. If they choose do so on talent, hustle, execution, heart, class, sportmanship, religious piety or based on who has the hottest babe shall not be revealed, except to the holy conclave of Cardinals (the six voting members of the PNCLL Executive Board, led by Cardinal-President Josh Barbour). The Cardinals will sequester thenselves in deliberations over the all-star papacy votes. When a consensus is reached, smoke will be released, bells will peal, and the overall MVP shall appear on the balcony before the adoring masses, resplendent in new robes.
But let's get real, people. The MVP usually always comes from the dominant team, if there is one, in most sports. Andre Dawson winning National League MVP on a losing Cub team is the only such award I can ever remember. Michael Jordan didn't win his first MVP until the Bulls started winning.
This is usually true of all-star selections and all-American awards too. UW, for example, has had two honorable mention A.A.s -- Ian Fair and Kevin Bass -- and both came following the '02 season when we won the league and went to St. Louis. To the victors belong the spoils, at least usually. SFU always dominated the all-star teams when they were the dominant team, and their top gun was usually the MVP and USLIA/MDIA All-American. Oregon reaped most the awards last year.
The PNCLL Overall MVP in 2004 was not only truly deserving of the award for outstanding play, he was also an extremely well-liked individual who represented his team with sportsmanship and class, on and off the field. If his "numbers" weren't the best in the league -- or even on his own team, didn't matter in the the slightest to the coaches who gave him their all-star votes after each game or to us on the Board who tallied these up and named Danny Ernst the '04 Player of the Year. Personally for me it was one of the easier choices I have made over the past six years.
PNCLL Board Member 1997-Present
MCLA Fan