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Lettin’ It Rip With Liam Banks

Editor’s note: Each week Ryan Powell interviews one current or former professional lacrosse player, asking them some quick hitter questions to better understand them as a person and lacrosse player. It is often these players that have driven, and continue to drive, the game of lacrosse to the next level.

We hope you enjoy learning some fun facts that you might not have known about some of the greatest players to pick up a stick. This week Rhino interviews Liam Banks, former Syracuse star, pro player and founder of LB3 Lacrosse!
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Liam Banks

Name: Liam Banks

Nickname: LB3

Position: Attack

Birthday: 12-24-1979

Hometown: East Setauket NY

College: THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

High School: Ward Melville
Awards: HS All American, Single Season LI Point Leader (172), U19 World Team, U19 All World, 2 Time All American Syracuse University, 2000 National Championship MVP

Current Gig: Southeast Head of Sports Marketing Warrior and Brine Lacrosse, Founder of LB3 Lacrosse

Time to let it rip!

What was the first vehicle that you had?  What kind of vehicle do you currently drive? 

A 1985 Mercury Station Wagon, with the Brine Panel Side. Now I’m in a Dodge Ram.

1985 Mercury
Yup! The paneling adds a touch of class.

photo credit: Jerry Field’s MySpace

Last meal, what is it?

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Salt Pepper Ketchup from Seaport Deli, Pizza, Filet Mignon and Crème Brulee

Who do you look up to most today, and why?

My Father, because he provided and gave me great opportunities in life. He was at all my games and supported me in good times and bad.  He is my biggest fan.

John Danowski because he is just cool, calm and relates so well to young lacrosse players. He is a transformative coach and I aspire to be like him and influence lacrosse players the way he does.

What is your biggest fear?

Drowning.

If you had to redo college and had to go to another school and you were going to play lacrosse at the new school, where would you go?

There is no place I would have rather go then the CUSE. With that said if I had to go to another school it would be Duke because of the Great education, and great weather in Durham.

duke university east campus
Just another beautiful day in Durham.

Photo Credit: Modernomad67 on TravelPod.com

What’s in your DVD collection?

Brewster’s Millions, Godfather, Snatch, The Natural, Hang Over, Miracle, Bull Durham, Catch Me If You Can, Wild Cats.

Are you a cat person or a dog person?

Dog. We have a SHEEPOO named Rocky.

What are some of your household chores?

Everything I can do to help my wife out besides Laundry. Dishes, Vacuum, cooking… cleaning up after the 3 kids!

What your favorite TV show?

How I Met Your Mother and Criminal Minds

What is your favorite song?

The Weight by The Band

What would you say if someone on the street asked you for 20 bucks?

“What are you going to do with it?”

What was the best lacrosse stick that you ever owned?

I have a Chrome EVO 3 Orange with a Custom Syracuse Kryptolyte Shaft, it’s so light and looks baller.

If you could be a video game character, who would you be and why?

Mario of Course, he is the original gangster!

mario lacrosse
This. Is. Genius.

Cartoon Credit: DuelingAnalogs.com  Unreal stuff!

What kind of cologne do you wear?

CK One

If you could be any color of a crayon, what would you be?

Orange

What is your favorite quote?

“Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if you look at it right” – Jerry Garcia

If you did not choose lacrosse as your sport, what sport would you have chosen?

Would love to be a Golfer. I love playing golf, being outside, and the sport is so challenging. I admire men and women who can control a golf ball. You also get to see some of the most beautiful places in the world.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Being a Great Father, a Great Husband and a Coach who transformed players lives.

2011 FCC Dino Mecurio, Bob Liam
With role models like his father, Coach Danowski and Rick Mercurio, Liam is well on his way.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Onions and Bacon.

Did you have a nick name as a kid?

The L- Train. My brother John gave me the nick name.

L train new york
L Train coming through!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

If you were to play an instrument what would it be?

Piano, I think Billy Joel is amazing.

If you could visit anywhere in the world that you have not visited before, where would it be?

Greece.

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

A tiger, they are just so beautiful.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would say?

God, I’m hoping to one day meet him, so I will save my question for him.

What is the longest you’ve gone without a shower?

6 days. I used to think being a Hippie and not showering was cool.

If you knew you were going to be stranded on a desert island, what 3 items would you take with you?

My Family, my lax stick and a 60 Inch Screen.

LB3 Wall League Tournament 2011 083
The LB3 clan, just leaning back.

Tell us one random thing about yourself.  Go!

I am one of eight kids.

Favorite restaurant of all time? Name and what city?

Arid Evans Inn, Syracuse, New York. (EN: LB3 is probably the first Cuse guy to not say Dinosaur BBQ)

Who is your celebrity crush?

Brooke Burke.

Do you have a pre-game ritual? If so, what is it?

I play Wall Ball for 20 min before every game. Lacrosse is all about the fundamentals!

On your day off, you wake up and…?

Spend the day with my wife and kids. Shoot hoops with Ryann, play Wii with Liam, and go to the playground with Sadie. Any time I get off and I am able to spend with my kids, is precious.

Syracuse Harry's liam Banks
Spending time with fam, priority #1!

Are you a good tipper?

20% or more always.

What do you put on your hot dog?

Sauerkraut and mustard.

Why do you wear the # that you wear?

My brother John wore number 3 at Hopkins. I wore 17 in HS because that is the number all my brothers wore. When I got a choice between 3 and 10 at Cuse I knew Mike Springer wanted 10, and I figured if I wanted him to finish the ball for the next 4 years I better let him have it. The number 3 has treated me well in my career.

Inside Roll Liam Banks
Liam playing for the old San Fran MLL team.

Do you have a questions that we could ask the next pro lacrosse players?

Who were your favorite players to watch when you were young?

Mine were Gary and Paul Gait, Tim and Dennis Goldstein, Chip Mayer, John Zulberti and John Hess.

Who was the best player you played with?

RP of course!!!!!