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EDIT 11-3-09

Fall is here in the Northwest. Leaves are on the ground, clouds loom and sprinkle from time to time, and college lacrosse scrimmages are in full swing. With this fall comes some very hard decisions by college lacrosse players across our great nation. What head to use for the 2010 season? With new rule changes coming in the spring every single college player from D1 NCAA to D2 MCLA will have to string up a new spoon and get used to change. So lets dig in and take a look at one of this years most promising college only legal heads.

I have been toting around my stick with me this fall to my classes and trying to get some wall ball in between, appropriately the head I have been using is the Professor. The past two season I have been a staunch STX Proton Power user, and I stand by the statement that it is the best head ever made (Xcaliber and the original Blade are tied at a close second). So why did I decide to skip over the Super Power (college legal Proton Power)? Because, the allure of a new head was just too much for this gear junkie. The lines of the head are very similar to the Super Power, the biggest difference being that the ball stop doesn’t stick up in the same funny way that the Power series does, which has always bugged me aesthetically. The head measures 6 inches at the top which makes it more narrow than that of a NFHS legal head. Playing both attack and midfield I was looking for a head that would be versatile and durable, flexible yet ridged, and above all have the proper holes to string up a bag (a legal bag).

The first thing I noticed when I got this stick was its ability to pinch and pop (plunger) on a face-off. The flexibility of the stick allowed me to plunge and redirect quickly on a face, but  was not really stiff enough to block the clamp or punch. So if you have fast hands then this is a decent face-off head, but how would it fair on defense and attack?

When it came time  to string the Professor I handed it off to a friend and teammate Jake Ostrow. He worked the bottom half of the stringing on the inside of the head giving it a mesh pinch and bypassing the new rule changes. The hole patterns allowed Mr. Ostrow to string up a nice low pocket with about a 6 out of 10 on the whip scale. After taking this stick to a tourney down in California I am sold on its ability to hold the ball through rough checks, and give a little punishment on the defensive end of the field.  (After returning to practice from the tourney I must report that my Professor broke at Friday’s practice…. I believe the fracture was caused by taking face offs. The sidewall on the bottom side of the stick snapped right next to the last stringing hole. If you are familiar with the breaking point on the original Razor it is the same spot.)

So I am loving the Professor but what would I change? I think there no reason this head is not a little stiffer. After some faces and a couple good checks on D the head began to warp (I was able to bend it back) and I could see this only getting more permanent after a few more games. Luckily I was only filling in for our face-off guy. Other than that I am pretty much 100% happy with my Professor. It is a solid addition to the STX family and should stick around so long as the rule change does…

The Sunset High School Lacrosse Club is seeking qualified coaches and assistant coaches for the 2010 men’s JV lacrosse program.

Sunset Lacrosse was established in 2003 and boasts one of the largest men’s high school programs in the state. A member of the Oregon High School Lacrosse Association, Sunset’s varsity team won the competitive Metro League Championship in 2009, and made it to the state semifinals. Managed by a board of volunteers, Sunset Lacrosse enjoys exceptional support from parents, school administration and the community. Small squad sizes and low player/coach ratios maximize player potential, while a strong belief in aggressive game scheduling keeps players challenged.

To join this winning program, you will bring:

• Collegiate level playing experience
• Previous coaching experience
• Commitment to sportsmanship and player development
• Leadership and motivational skills
• Strong knowledge and passion for the game
• Ability to partner with other coaches in the program

The regular season runs February through May, with coaches expected at practices 5 days/week starting in late February. Games during the week. Compensation: competitive. For consideration, please email your resume and letter of interest to tami@momentum-management.com.

Article Courtesy of Collegelax.us

The Oregon Ducks, coming off an 11-7 season, were last seen being run out of Denver at the MCLA national championship tournament, losing to BYU in the first round by a final score of 12-3. Now, however, the Ducks have reunited with former head coach Joe Kerwin, who returns to Eugene after being at the helm of Notre Dame de Namur’s program for two years. Oregon now aims to return to dominant form and capture the national title that closely eluded it in 2007. CollegeLAX talks with the new (and old) coach at U of O.

CollegeLAX: You’re coming back to the MCLA after helping lead the Ducks to a national runner-up finish in 2007 and coaching Notre Dame De Namur (NCAA DII) to an overall record of 16-6 over the following two seasons. What are the biggest differences (besides funding/administrative support) you’ve seen between MCLA and NCAA programs?

Joe Kerwin (JK): There are no differences other than what you mentioned. Both the NCAA and MCLA are college students playing lacrosse. To make anything more of one or the other is senseless.

CollegeLAX: What made you come back to the MCLA and Eugene? Were you considering heading any programs other than Oregon?

JK: We looked around a little, but we wanted to be in Eugene. We have family and friends here. Oregon also has a lot of what we like to do outside of lacrosse. This is a great part of the country.

CollegeLAX: By its standards, Oregon is coming off a down year in 2009. The Ducks finished the season with a record of 11-7—good for the 15th seed in the national championship tournament—and lost by a tally of 12-3 to BYU in the first round at Denver. What do you plan on doing to get U of O back into the MCLA’s elite in 2010?

JK: We have the resources here, but we have to get back to using them. Our players are able to work out in the athletic department weight room with athletic department strength coaches. In 2007, our players were in that program for four years. Along with strong senior leadership, that was the main reason for our success.

CollegeLAX: You were named Oregon’s head coach earlier this summer. How have things been since then? Has taking the reigns when you did made the offseason any more hectic?

JK: I think the timing made things easier. Scheduling was just getting started and we’ve had time to settle in Eugene. We’ve also had time to see friends and family and enjoy the summer.

CollegeLAX: The Ducks’ roster returns a huge percentage of its players this year. Do you expect that overwhelming experience to help get your team get back to the dominant form everyone’s so used to?

JK: We had three guys graduate: Jon Matusiefsky, Cole Magnuson and Will Desiervo. This year’s team has a lot of playing experience, but not a lot of experience winning. I think they showed last year they can play with anyone, but games need to be closed out. That comes from physical conditioning and poised leadership on the field.

CollegeLAX: What do you feel are your team’s strengths heading into this season? What about the weaknesses?

JK: From what I’ve seen, we’ll be athletic and deep. And as I said, we need the experience of finishing games.

CollegeLAX: What are your plans for fall ball? It’s our understanding that your team’s introductory meeting isn’t until Oct. 4, so does that limit how much you’ll be able to do before winter sets in?

JK: We start school late, so we usually have a later fall ball. We don’t really get winter weather, so we’ll have tryouts starting Oct. 5 and then go for four weeks. We have a couple scrimmages, our alumni game and we host a tournament to wrap up.

CollegeLAX: What are your thoughts on LeGarrette Blount and the start to the Ducks’ football season? What about their ever-changing uniforms?

JK: Don’t run your mouth if you’re not ready for a fight. I don’t care about the uniforms. They do what they need to do.

CollegeLAX: Kobe or LeBron?

JK: Jordan.

CollegeLAX: If you had to pick one book to read, one movie to watch and one album to listen to for the rest of your life, what would they be?

JK: I don’t think there is one book or movie that would interest me for the rest of my life, but I could probably listen to Bayou Country quite a few times.

CollegeLAX: Coach Kerwin, thanks for your time and good luck to you and your squad this season!