Lacrosse Lounge Episode 18- Mike Cerino

In episode 18 of Lacrosse Lounge, Charlotte Hounds head coach Mike Cerino joins me to talk about the first two games in team history, guys that could be breakout players, the goalie controversy in Charlotte and what his first season in MLL is like.

"Charlotte has the right weather and the right demographic, I think, and it was an event. It was an event. I think our team was a little disappointed when the score swung because we wanted to give those fans a winner so bad, we really did right out of the gate. Those guys played so hard. It was an exciting night. I know they're looking forward to getting back against Ohio and rewarding those fans for that kind of loyalty. ... The community of Charlotte is excited for lacrosse."

Episode 18 aired live on May 7, 2012.

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Lacrosse Lounge Episode 17- Face-Off Club

In episode 17 of Lacrosse Lounge I have a roundtable discussion with the guys from the Face-Off Club: Nolan Godfrey, Greg Gurenlian, John Ortolani, Craig Bunker, Coach Andy Whitley (Fairfield University), Andrew Burnett (soon to be Sacred Heart player). We talk face-offs, preparation, training and week 1 of the MLL season.

"It's always fun. One of my pet peeves is when guys hold back information just because they think it might give them an advantage whenever you face-off against them. We really don't do any of that. We're just kind of candid about what we like to do. We teach kids so our job is to make kids better. So we don't hold things back to try and get to try and get an edge on one another in games. We're pretty confident in ourselves. ... Going against each other in games actually makes it a little more light-hearted when sometimes it can be a little too dramatic out there on the field." Greg Gurenlian

Episode 17 aired live on April 30, 2012.

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Lacrosse Lounge Episode 16- Nolan Godfrey

In episode 16 of Lacrosse Lounge Ohio Machine midfielder Nolan Godfrey talks about coming back to MLL, learning face-offs in Canadian box leagues, acting in movies and doing lacrosse choreography for MTV's Teen Wolf.

"We're out. We're tangible to the community. We're meeting people. We're introducing them not just to lacrosse but who we are. I think that's such a huge plus for professional lacrosse compared to the other sports. The four major sports, people are so star struck when people are out in public, the athletes or even the coaches. It's a manic event. In the MLL people get to know us, have us in their community and serving them."

Episode 16 aired live on April 23, 2012.

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Lacrosse Lounge Episode 15- David Gross

In episode 15 of Lacrosse Lounge MLL Commissioner David Gross comes on to talk about the state of the league: expansion, social media, technology advances, the caliber of the players and what still needs to be done to make playing in the league a full-time job.

"I want Major League Lacrosse to grow. I want it to be something that every player that's part of it is happy that they're involved. I want the fans to say, 'I can't wait for the games'. I want where those that are passionate about lacrosse say, 'I will schedule my time around my MLL team,' and not just, 'Oh, I'll go watch a game because it's convenient for me'. Those are the goals and ambitions. I truly believe in the product."

Episode 15 aired live on April 16, 2012.

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Lacrosse Lounge Episode 14- Joe Spallina

In episode 14 of Lacrosse Lounge new Long Island Lizards head coach Joe Spallina talks about the start of training camp, the Lizards many different transactions this season and lacrosse in the Long Island community.

"Lacrosse is life on Long Island, where a lot of other areas football is life or football is huge for kids. I can tell you my son and all of his friends are Lizards fans. They know all of the guys and they think it's great. We had training camp the other day for a two-hour scrimmage we had over two hundred people show up just to watch a two-hour scrimmage. That speaks volumes ... There's a large sense of pride. A majority of our team are Long Island guys. I think the guys understand that."

 Episode 14 aired live on April 9, 2012.

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Photo from Long Island Lizards website.

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 13- Trevor Tierney

In episode 13 of Lacrosse Lounge Denver University assistant coach and former MLL champion Trevor Tierney talks about substance abuse in lacrosse, concussions, coaching and playing for his father.

"It's so funny to me because if you look at websites and magazines, everyone is perfectly fine with showing the party side of things. But no one wants to talk about going out and just having a couple of beers. No one wants to talk about choosing not to drink. No one wants to talk about the dangerous things that can happen if you drink too much and some of the downsides of alcohol abuse. It was just one of these things that that whole case was one of these things where I thought it was important for us to recognize that there are tragedies out there that happen that don't necessarily have to happen and a lot of times alcohol is involved in some shape, way or form."

Episode 13 aired live on April 2, 2012.

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Photo from Major League Lacrosse website.

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 12 - Kip Turner

In episode 12 of Lacrosse Lounge, Chesapeake Bayhawks goalie Kip Turner talks about his move to the Bayhawks, winning the MLL championship and what it takes to be a goalie.

"I really just tried to stay focused and think, 'Hey, they might need me at any certain point throughout the season and I gotta be ready.' It doesn't matter if it's the championship game, you have to be ready. It's your job. You get paid to do this, so you have to do your job."

Episode 12 aired live on March 26, 2012.

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Photo from In Lax We Trust.

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 11 - Chris Eck

In episode 11 of Lacrosse Lounge, Boston Cannons midfielder Chris Eck talks about dealing with diabetes, taking face-offs and The Office.  

"I think it's kind of my nerdy side that made me like facing-off.It's very one-on-one so that competitive side of me likes it. It's very obvious who's winning and who's not. There's not a lot of discretion. It's not about if the two-slide got there ... It is a thinking man's position. You really need to outsmart guys, not just run them over."

Episode 11 aired live on March 19, 2012.

 

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Photo from the Boston Cannons' website.

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 10 - Matt Smalley

In Episode 10 of the Lacrosse Lounge, Matt Smalley of the Boston Cannons talks about being a defensive midfield specialist, what it takes to be good at picking up ground balls and facial hair.  

"You have to play tough and you can't be intimidated by the big names. You just gotta' do your job and keep them from getting a good quality shot or possession. But other than being in shape you have to play with a chip on your shoulder. Everyone is good at that level but what are you going to do to set yourself apart? For me it wasn't going to be scoring goals from 15 yards out or making a spectacular play on the crease. It's about getting dirty and getting over the ball and doing a lot of the things a lot of people aren't very fond of."

Episode 10 of Lacrosse Lounge aired live on March 12, 2012.

 

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Photo from the MLL website.

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 9

In Episode 9 of Lacrosse Lounge I review Casey Powell's career, the Hamilton Nationals outlook for the 2012 season, rookies that can make an impact and which players have renewed their contracts.

Episode 9 aired live on 3/5/12.

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Lacrosse Lounge Episode 8 - Brett Hughes

Brett Hughes of the Ohio Machine joins the Lacrosse Lounge to talk about the LXM Pro Tour, coming back to Major League Lacrosse and bringing a team to his hometown, Lacrosse the Nation and what it was like to play in New Jersey.  

"Putting a great product out in a very professional manner is obviously what I want for Ohio lacrosse and for the Ohio Machine. But for me and my teammates, we're here to knock some heads and win. All the games we're in we expect to win."
Episode 8 aired live on February 27, 2012.

 

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Photo from the MLL website.

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 5- Jordan Burke

In the fifth episode of Lacrosse Lounge, Boston Cannons' goalie Jordan Burke talks about going from backup goalie to 2011 MLL Championship Weekend MVP.

"I was fortunate to play well enough to get a start. From there it was working on building on each performance and holding onto that spot as long as I could because obviously I knew I had Kip behind me and that's some stiff competition."

Episode 5 of Lacrosse Lounge aired live on February 6, 2012.

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Photo from MLL website

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 4- John Algie

In the fourth episode of Lacrosse Lounge, Ohio Machine President and GM John Algie talks about what it's like to build a team and organization from scratch. Also, Joe Spallina talks to Marisa Ingemi about becoming the new head coach of the Long Island Lizards.

"Just looking at the different markets and then places where we could potentially put a team, Ohio is by far and away the best choice. There's just so much lacrosse going on here, really throughout the whole state, not just in Central Ohio where we're located."

Episode 4 aired on January 30, 2012.

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Photo from the Ohio Machine website

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 3- Matt Danowski

In the third episode of Lacrosse Lounge, Charlotte Hounds attackman and former Duke Blue Devil Matt Danowski talks about joining an expansion team and his love for the New York Giants.

"Even though we are an expansion team it's not like we're a team made of rookies. If you look at the roster there's a lot of experience on that team, there's a lot of talent on the roster already. Even though we are an expansion team I don't think we're going to be at the bottom of the league, the bottom of the barrel, just because it's our first year playing. I think we have the talent to play with anyone in this league."

Episode 3 aired live on January 23, 2012.

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Photo from Charlotte Hounds Facebook page

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 2- Kyle Devitte

In the second episode of Lacrosse Lounge I interview Inside Lacrosse writer Kyle Devitte. We talk about the MLL collegiate draft and he dives into his feelings about the league, players, owners, coaches, management and fans.

"If you don't like what I have to say the only thing you have to do is prove me wrong. And guess what, when you do, I'll give you credit. I always have and I always will. I'm not Skip Bayless. I'll give you credit when you prove me wrong."

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Episode No. 2 aired live on January 16, 2012.

Photo from Daniel Webster College Athletics

Lacrosse Lounge Episode 1- Bill Daye

With the Major League Lacrosse season starting in 16 days, go back to the beginning of Lacrosse Lounge. In the debut of my on-line radio show on the Lacrosse Radio Network the first episode's guest is 2011 Major League Lacrosse and former Boston Cannon's coach Bill Daye, talking about life after coaching, the collegiate draft process and who he thinks will go #1 in the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft.

"It was obviously a very difficult decision but it was something that was almost predetermined prior to me even coming into the 2011 season. It's been a long run for me. I've been involved with Major league Lacrosse since the inception of the league. Even though we do it because we love the sport and we love competing, it's still a part-time job that takes up full-time hours. It's just been a long road for me, a long run and I just felt it was in my best interests to take a step back and concentrate on spending time with my family."

Episode No. 1 aired live on January 9th, 2012. The episode featured some technical difficulties so the interview starts at 1:15 in.

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Photo from Boston Cannons website