STARTRIBUNE HS SEASON PREVIEWS

[horn17]

http://www.startribune.com/526/story/1115321.html

http://www.startribune.com/526/story/1115303.html

Back page of star trib...

[Rob Graff]

I'm not impressed.

[Rob Graff]

And this is why.....

UMLL players have contributed SO MUCH to the development of HS lacrosse in Minnesota. And while none of them do it for the applause, it rankles me when a newspaper writer attributes the growth to the Swarm and the growth of D1/2/3 lax. Now - beyond the error that D1 lax is NOT growing, the real source for varsity coaches (and assistants) in Minnesota are players from the UMLL teams

To support my frustration, here's a list of Head HS coaches who were players on UMLL teams. I KNOW I missed some - so I apologize in advance if I didn't mention you or your friend - I mean no disrepect:

Bethel Head Coaches
Travis Sanders - Stillwater

St. Cloud State Head Coaches
Joe Grannes - St. CLoud

St. Johns
Brian Jenson - Hastings
Dave McGee - Hopkins

St. Thomas Head
Kevin Reed - St. Louis Park
Justin Hoban - Totino Grace


UofM Heads
Brandon Husak - White Bear
Ben Mooney - St. Paul
Ross Brower - Armstrong


Mankato Head Coaches
Tim Roche - Eastview
Scott Seycora - Owatonna
Rich Limpert - Woodbury
Brent Chalupsky - Prior Lake
Trevan Sheppard - Mankato

UMD Head Coaches:
Scott Cater - Jefferson
Derek Daehn - Cooper
Jesse Schelitzche - Burnsville
Kevin Hokr - Maple Grove
Colin Mulcahy - BSM
Matt Reeves - Duluth/Superior
Eric Overman - Acad. of Holy Angels
Chris Taute - Mounds View


So of the roughly 50 or so HS teams, almost 40% are ex/current UMLL players. And that's if I didn't miss anyone, and I'm sure I did!!!!

Now, here's a list of the Swarm Players who are head coaches.

Ryan Ward - Eden Prairie.

Note - we don't even want to go to the number of UMLL grads are Assistants or are youth coaches.

I am very proud of the UMLL's focus on growing the game in this area via coaching. I'm bothered when this is not only ignored, but, in fact "papered over" via reference to the influence of the Swarm as the reason for growth.

[Npaulseth]

Well said Mr. Graff!

[Pinball]

Brian Jenson from SJU head coach at Hastings

[Rob Graff]

Thanks Pinball - I knew I had not listed them all!!!

[MaverikLacrosse12]

UMLL players have contributed SO MUCH to the development of HS lacrosse in Minnesota. And while none of them do it for the applause, it rankles me when a newspaper writer attributes the growth to the Swarm and the growth of D1/2/3 lax. Now - beyond the error that D1 lax is NOT growing, the real source for varsity coaches (and assistants) in Minnesota are players from the UMLL teams

I am very proud of the UMLL's focus on growing the game in this area via coaching. I'm bothered when this is not only ignored, but, in fact "papered over" via reference to the influence of the Swarm as the reason for growth.

couldn't agree with you more. you stated it best

[GrayBear]

Thank you, Coach Graff.

For myself, I've never seen a group of people more dedicated to, and more selfless in, promoting quality (in every respect) to the game at the high school level and beyond, as the UMLL community has been.

Regrettably I'm not part of it myself, but all of you have commanded my respect and admiration for what you've done for a lot of years. It's an awesome testament to your love for the game, and an even more impressive legacy that will not be lost on those you've mentored. They'll do you proud.

[dubbs11]

Former Johnnie lax players are also coaching Hopkins, and Stillwater.

[Gopherlax29]

Not too mention it seemed VERY political, ALREADY? Geez! Also, I think the past players in the leagues (UMLL and MBSLA/HS here) as well as long time coaches from the MBSLA(Cater at JHS etc...) No mention of how much work was put in to be varsity, only a top 5 and no list of teams. It would have been nice to show who all is playing Varsity this year...Lastly, where did they get the list, anyone know? It looks as if Blake sent in their write-ups.

EDIT: Oh yeah, lets not forget that sweet research they did on Eagan at 5. 13-4 I think? (To Edina, wow!)

[DanGenck]

Former Johnnie lax players are also coaching Hopkins, and Stillwater.

I hear Guy Bellair is a coach with the Texas Pan Handle All-Stars.

[kuehnl]

Just to give the UMLL heads up. UMLL has done a great deal recently to start lacrosse up in this state. After graduating St. Olaf, Jon Junker is now coaching Chaska.
This fall I started the lacrosse team at Rosemount High School. This is our first year and over 70 new lacrosse players are coming out. The following persons are the coachs of the Rosemount Program

Lance Kuehn -Head Coach St. Olaf
Micah Juelfs- JV Coach St. Olaf
Nick Bauer- Assistant Coach U of M TC
Matt Stonestrom Assistant Coach St. Olaf

It sometimes is funny to remember playing in the UMLL tournament against skilled players and now I look in the faces of those same gentlemen on the sidelines as coaches.

Good Luck to everyone this season
Lance Kuehn

[Dylan Dickey]

If anything wouldn't it be the other way around? Where the efforts turned into growth and the growth may have possibly had a little bit to do with justifying the creation of the SWARM?

[Gopherlax29]

Dylan, I was saying the same thing to my roommate Bryce. Without the past players and coaches there would be no "drive" for a team like the Swarm. It doesn't suprise that the STrib would do something like this.

[Dawson]

If anything wouldn't it be the other way around? Where the efforts turned into growth and the growth may have possibly had a little bit to do with justifying the creation of the SWARM?

I agree with that a lot, but just to play devil's advocate, haven't the Swarm help put lacrosse into the spotlight a little bit? I know for a fact if I hadn't received free tickets to the Swarm Exhibition with the Colorado Mammoth, there's a strong chance I would never have picked up a lacrosse stick. I had never witnessed a lacrosse game or even heard of the UMLL until I had attended that game. My friends and I were a direct product of that.

You can't possibly argue with the fact that UMLL Alums GREATLY impacted the game of lacrosse here in Minnesota, especially on a close level with the individual players. Credit should be given where it's due. However, I don't think you can just ignore the effect of having a professional lacrosse club coming to town can have on the area, even in just the short time they've been here. I think it helped press the issue a little bit, gain some general acceptance as well as introduce the sport to an awful lot of people that wouldn't ordinarily have stumbled upon it. I sure wouldn't have.