“Why Not?”
Lacrosse was never my main sport growing up. I picked up Lacrosse Sophomore year of high school as a way to condition for football. I was not very confident in competing for a roster spot in all honesty, it seemed like a no brainer to choose anyone who had any experience over me. But all I wanted was a chance. After a few grueling weeks of conditioning and evaluations I earned my chance to play JV and the opportunities sprouted from there.
11 years later from that moment, I have been able to captain my college team, represent my mother’s country on a national stage, and made some of my lifelong friends. Lacrosse has been my medicine game for some of my best…and worst moments. It has been the catalyst that pushes me to never miss an opportunity to just have fun with those who love the game like I do.
My first year out of college, I was on a nomadic journey playing in multiple leagues around the DMV (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) area trying to find the perfect balance. Some Leagues were just inconsistent with games and no genuine camaraderie. That was until I met Colin Fagan, truly a man, myth and legend. We met after a mutual friend of ours introduced us following a men’s league game. We began inquiring about our college playing experience and learned of each other’s leadership roles and challenges in organizing our respective club teams. It’s a special bond amongst those who have to wrangle the heard of degenerate club players and organizing events with others similar.
Colin had began telling me about his mass groups of teams he would organize at well-known men’s tournaments throughout the country such as Ocean City, New Orleans and various others. These were the same tournaments I had always wanted to experience myself, so any chance I had to play in them I would immediately accept the chance.
Colin, seeing how excited I would be involved; invited me to play on his post collegiate team Maryland Shamrocks. The very first game I played with them, was at Shootout For Soldiers, a very famous 24 Hour Lacrosse game that was on my checklist. As I start introducing myself to other guys on the team, we all just clicked. Everyone on the team just very welcoming and competitive. Players from all walks of life, such as college studs, lifetime beer leaguers and finally the occasional dusty stick coming back out for some exercise.
I was so hooked that I began making 1hr to 1hr ½ drives from Northern Virginia to Maryland just to keep the high going. At every game Colin and I started spit balling ideas on everything; Shamrocks at this point had grown so much as a team we would exceed roster spots for tournaments within minutes of it being posted in the group chat. Soon enough I started having fears of spreading too thin, I asked him a simple question.
“So, what were we to do if we kept adding teams? It’s not like we can make our own league to have all our friends be able to play.”
“Why Not?”
Those words uttered by Colin have burned into my brain what he is about. Want a bigger & better league? Want to play at US Lacrosse HQ? Host a tournament at Navy Stadium? Why not us, why can’t we? Seeing his brainchild on paper grow into a nationally recognized league and has been a privilege and helping him out has been an honor. From integrating local businesses being recognized with sponsorships, organizing youth and developmental leagues, and contributing to greater causes with fundraisers, awareness campaigns and donation drives. This game has given so much to me by giving me a chance, why not give back more. Be the league that gives others a chance.
