Linfield is officially folding

[Linfield]

Gentlemen,

It is with extreme sadness that I announce today that the Linfield Mens Lacrosse team is dropping from competition in the PNCLL. Due to some injuries and a lack of players, we are forced to forfeit our final games of the season. I am fully aware of the severity of this situation, and the implications it has on all of the teams involved.

This is why we are electing to no longer compete as a college lacrosse team. It is not fair to anyone involved for us to waste others time with a half-hearted effort. In my opinion we are either all in or all out.

This also means that there is now an opportunity for a team to play Montana, Montana State, and UVSC in Grizzly Stadium on 3/30, 3/31, 4/1. I will gladly pay the games fees for these games, and would encourage any team who can afford the travel to take them on.

There are a multitude of reasons for this result, however they are unimportant since the result is what is most significant. I would like to thank all of you for your support and friendly competition over the years, and will continue to do what I can to support the growth of lacrosse throughout the northwest for years to come.

Regretfully,

Tim Hart

[Dan Wishengrad]

Tim,

This is terrible news indeed. While I could see that the Wildcats were struggling through a tough season, I had no clue things had fallen this far. UW almost reached this point just one year ago, but the kids made some tough choices and rallied at the 11th hour in order to complete the season, although we did cancel an OOC trip to UC Irvine's tourney along the way. I really wish that Linfield could find some way to suit up ten players and complete their 2007 season, and remain a member in good standing of our league. But then I gather this decision wasn't made lightly and the "play it out with ten" option is not feasible?

Linfield Lacrosse has been around for... what, twenty years? I can't envision a PNCLL without you guys.

[Linfield]

We scraped and clawed to get guys for our game last weekend, and only have 7 for our trip to Montana. We found one guy who was willing to go and just be a body on the field, but that is it. We really fought to try and avoid the forfeit, so we could see what happens next season, but at some point we have to bite the bullet and give those teams chance at finding a new opponent. The reality is that having only 1600 students to draw from is hard, having coaches who expect all of their athletes to be "one sport atheletes" is harder.

While lacrosse is booming in Oregon, I can't find 10 guys. There are several Washington and Oregon guys who not only played in HS, but were solid in HS. I won't mention ther names but they are all guys you would know, who maily just wanna play football.

[Kyle Berggren]

Tim, we have the weekend open & should be able to cover the games. My team is on break right now, & we won't be able to bring everyone due to the Friday game, but we'll try & make it happen. I'll contact the other coaches.

[Chunk]

This was an unfortunate situation. I want to thank Tim personally with all he did with the program bring it back from circumstances from a few years ago. He really poured his heart (along with the hundreds of hours and personal money) into this program. I want to thank him for letting me help assist when I could make it down to coach. It is tough to take, especially thinking of the players who did put their blood, sweat, and tears into this uphill situation for the game they love. Hopefully down the road Linfield can come back and once again be a prominent member of the PNCLL.

[Linfield]

Thank you Kyle, Please be sure to keep me posted about any game fees that are not covered by our payment, and I will cover them.

[Kyle Berggren]

Tim, Jason's been on the phone with WWU & will try to contact some others as well. It makes more sense for a ranked team to fill in those games. Worst case scenario, we'll pony up & do it. The RMLC teams will not lose a game... Montana on the other hand will most likely get Sunday off, but we'll see how it goes.

[Kyle Berggren]

I looks like it's going to be #9 WWU in Montana to replace the Linfield team. Big weekend with 4 top #15 teams going at it.

[TheNino57]

To Coach Hart and the rest of the Linfield players:

I just want you all to know that I consider privileged to have had the opportunity to mix it up with you on the field these past few years. You guys were always classy and excellent sportsmen. I understand the your situation is a difficult to deal with. Hopefully, in the coming years, Linfield can once again raise a prominent program and return to the PNCLL. We'll all definitely miss having you guys in the league.

[Ryan Hanavan]

I'm sorry to here about this and really hope for a fast return down the stretch for you guys. I think we all share a great passion for this game and it's often hard to understand why people choose other sports/school activities over lacrosse. I still bring my stick when I walk my dogs just for the chance to throw around.

I really hope we can table this at the next PNCLL meeting and come up with strong solutions to avoid negative growth. I know that it's so much easier to say than do but I think it's something that needs to stay on all of our shoulders (the proverbial monkey). I'm sorry you guys had to reach such a hard decision and would like you all to know I'll be the first to stand up for you when you are ready to come back.

Maybe we need to all put on the black bands as a simple reminder of how easy it is to lose a program and how hard it is to get one back.

[Shawn Carman]

Maybe we need to all put on the black bands as a simple reminder of how easy it is to lose a program and how hard it is to get one back.

Very well put, I really dont think that it can be described much better than that.

Good Luck Linfield! Hopefully things turn around for you here in the near future.

[TheBearcatHimself]

I really hope we can table this at the next PNCLL meeting and come up with strong solutions to avoid negative growth. I know that it's so much easier to say than do but I think it's something that needs to stay on all of our shoulders (the proverbial monkey). I'm sorry you guys had to reach such a hard decision and would like you all to know I'll be the first to stand up for you when you are ready to come back.

Maybe we need to all put on the black bands as a simple reminder of how easy it is to lose a program and how hard it is to get one back.

Yes very well put and good point as well. I know that last year I was a little shocked when we forfeited that it was immediately doom and gloom that we heard from the league. Luckily we talked our way into probation and now are on the fast track to a positive future. I hope we can wait and avoid the kneejerk response to kick them out. This is one of the long-standing teams in the league and was a genuine threat to win the league the last two years. A down year is unfortunate, and forfeiting games is bad, but should it really deserve the death penalty? Like was said, in a time where lacrosse teams are few and far between are we really benefiting from burning bridges? We can lift the bridge and not burn it, something to think about.

Yes, it's three games, but like Mr. Hanavan said maybe we should withhold judgment and see if Tim can revive that program yet again? If any one is able to work miracles down there it's him and I know that I for one will be there shoulder to shoulder leading the cry to keep Linfield in existence.

War Linfield Lacrosse! I believe!

[Reilly]

I Love the Jim Rome reference.

War Jungle Karma

[RefZee]

TIM: I am mostly shocked by this event. Linfield has always been a player in the PNW lacrosse community, from back in the days when the Men's Club Teams played the college squads. I recall- not too fondly - the "locker room of my car's trunk" at the old field behind the baseball diamond. The very heated and physical games those early Linfield teams engaged in made my officiating experience in McMinnville quite r ewarding. I ams addened that this storied program is unable to continue this year.

I woudl hope that in 2008 a restoration is forthcoming and that the lacrosse athletes at Linfield are willing to work toward that end. Your efforts have been stellar. Make sure you stick around the field....

Z

[lgilmore]

I would also like to thank Coach Hart and his assistants for their efforts at Linfield. Tim gave the opportunity for my son to learn a new sport after an old sport let him down. Tim has been a class guy, a good coach and doesn't deserve the situation at Linfield.

My son's been involved for three years and has enjoyed his time as I have watching games and getting to know the boys. It's a good group of guys. This year it just was so tough to get bodies out there. I think more than half the squad were new to the game.

Linfield is an odd sports place.. it lures good athletes into their sports programs and alot of these kids put two or three years in watching somebody else play, until it dawns on them that they are now a senior and only played a few downs and their time is almost up. It's an odd culture, probably not exclusive to Linfield, but this year it really impacted the squad.

I just want to say to Tim, Thank You. Having coached and administered sports for many years myself and observing you with this team, I think you are an excellent coach and work well with these kids and consider their situations (students first) some others at Linfield didn't understand.

I may not run into you personally again to say Thank You for all you've provided my family, but I want you to know it's alot and I can't thank you enough for letting me enjoy watching my kid play. Even if I don't really always understand what he's playing.

I wish the best for you and your family. I appreciate what you've provided for mine.

Sincerely,

Larry Gilmore