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Goal_Celebration for richmond lacrosse going d1
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Updated: Richmond Goes D1 In Lacrosse, Talent Arrives Immediately

The Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper reported that the University of Richmond (VA) would announce their plans to add NCAA Division 1 Men’s Lacrosse to their offering of varsity sports. Of course the story also reported the official announcement would be made today by the school, and so far, it hasnt been made. So there’s that. It’s up, the announcement is official!

Check out Richmond’s Athletic site for the release, and click here to check out their FAQ section related to the move. We won’t publish the whole thing here. That would just be lazy.

The earlier story from the Times Dispatch went like this: to remain Title IX compliant, they will be dropping men’s soccer and men’s track, instead of adding another women’s sport. Richmond already offers women’s D1 lacrosse. Sad to see those sports have to go. However…

Goal_Celebration for richmond lacrosse going d1
Hug it out!

Soccer offered 8 scholarships, and those students can remain on at the school on scholarship if they choose to do so. The soccer team will now be a club team. Track offered no scholarships. It is unclear as of now how many, if any, lacrosse scholarships Richmond will offer, but it seems like they are taking the sport very seriously, so one can expect them to approach or reach the 12.5 scholarship limit in relatively short order.

From all apparent reports, the team will still play in the MCLA this Spring, and will then make the jump to D1 for the 2014 or 2015 seasons. A 2014 jump seemed more likely as the soccer and track teams would end NCAA competition after this scholastic year, and the varsity club is already strong. Now let’s get to the meat and potatoes content!

Two years ago, Richmond (like Michigan before it) declared lacrosse a varsity club sport, and now they are making the jump to the big time. It’s an interesting thing to note, and I can’t wait to see which MCLA varsity program makes the jump next. I’d love for it to be BYU. But that’s not even the most interesting part of this announcement!

The most interesting aspect of the Richmond going D1 announcement has to be the fact that their recruiting class for THIS year is already pretty stacked with talent, and kids from big name programs. There have been rumors that Richmond would go D1 circulating for a while now, and it looks like some HS kids bought into it, because some of these kids seem like the real deal!

14 freshman, 5 transfers, and 2 sophomores who made the team via tryouts, will boost Richmond’s fortunes immediately. The fact that some of these kids are from Darien, Taft, Landon helps. The fact that one or two were also All-State helps even more. Richmond will go D1 next year, but for the MCLA this year… watch out, as the Spiders are kicking things up a notch in 2013!

I’m sure these kids will have to make the NCAA D1 team all over again in 2014, but for Richmond’s first year, the 2013 recruiting class should be a big help. Transitions are tough, as Michigan can attest, and you need to have some horses already in the stable. Looks like Richmond might be doing ok in that department already.

Freshman Class Lacrosse Players

Jon Magnusson, Midfield, Darien HS, Darien, CT – Jon was a four year varsity player at Darien High School, was named second team All-FCIAC and second team All-State in 2012. Jon also played for the Connecticut Super Junior team. Jon’s class at Darien were state champions in 2009, 2010 and 2012 and were FCIAC champions in 2011. Jon was also was a member of the varsity football team and played summer lacrosse for the Connecticut Chargers.

Greg Stern, Attack, Rye HS, Rye, NY – Greg was a three year starter on the Rye High School Varsity Lacrosse team at attack. Sophomore year (22 goals, 7 assists) junior year (32 goals, 20 assists) senior year (38 goals, 20 assists) All League (junior, senior) Honorable Mention All Section (junior) , LoHud All Star team honorable mention (junior), LoHud All Star Team (senior) NY Section 1 All Section (senior) , Captain 2012. Leading scorer 2011,2012. Greg was also awarded Rye Lacrosse Association scholarship for 2012. Greg played summer club lacrosse with Long Island Sting Black 2010, 2011. Summer Club Team – Samu Rye (college level) 2012. Greg was also a three year varsity starter on Rye High School soccer team.

Brad Rigoli, Attack, Nobles and Greenough, Dedham MA –  Brad was a four year starter that garnered all ISL honorable mention sophomore and junior year, and first team all ISL senior year. Brad ended his Nobles career as a top 5 scorer in program history. Brad played summer ball on the top NESLL team. He was also a three year starting quarterback on the football team ( all new England senior year), as well as a Senior starter on the basketball team. Brad was also the recipient of the prestigious Nobles Shield for most respected male athlete.

Cal Given, Attack/Midfield, Medfield HS, Medfield MA – Cal has been playing on the Medfield High School varsity lacrosse team for the past three years. During his time with the program the team won back to back state championships in 2010 and 2011. Over the past two seasons Cal started at attack and earned a spot on the Tri-Valley league all-star team both years. His senior year he was given the sportsmanship award and was the leading scorer on the team with 40 goals.

Roger Coleman, Defense, Mahassett HS, Manhassett, NY – Roger Coleman played for Long Island powerhouse Manhasset High School where he was a starting defenseman. Roger has been recognized as a Maverick Showtime All-Star and a Jake Reed Nike Blue Chipper. Roger has played summer ball for both the Long Island Express and the Sting Black team.

Andrew McAllister, Attack, King Lowe Hayward, New Canaan, CT – Andrew finished his senior year with several recognitions such as All-FAA (Fairchester Athletic Association), All-NEPSAC (New England Prep School Athletic Council), Honorable Mention All-New England.

Mike Buysee, Midfield, Malvern Prep, Malvern, PA – Mike was a member of the perennial powerhouse Malvern Prep Friars. Mike was a Philly Showcase Fab Forty Sophomore Selection in 2009, he was selected to represent Team Philadelphia in the Adidas National Lacrosse Classic (2010) where he was recognized as an Adidas All American. He was also selected to represent Central Pennsylvania in the Brine National Lacrosse Classic (2011). Mike was also the recipient of the sportsmanship Award for Malvern Prep (2012).

Alex Krass, Midfield, Hanover HS, NH – Alex was voted first team all-state for division one and was voted on to the Twin State Senior All Star team for New Hampshire. Alex led his team to the NH championship game this year.

Jake Miller, Midfield, New Canaan HS, New Canaan, CT – Jake played for powerful New Canaan HS where he was a 2 year varsity starter. Jake was named All-FCIAC honorable mention his junior year and was on his way to a fantastic senior season before injury shortened his season. Jake was named the peak 200 all-star game and played in the Connecticut Super Juniors all-star game.

Matt Potolicchio, Attack, Landon School, Bethesda, MD – Matt started every game for the nationally ranked Landon Varsity Lacrosse team, helping the bears bring home their 28th IAC championship. Matt finished second on the team in points with 24 goals and 15 assists in 19 games. He ended his senior year with 3 goals and 1 assist in the IAC championship and was awarded Landon’s Khari Baten award at the end of the year, which is awarded for heart, hard work, and toughness. Matt was also a 3 time all conference, 3 time all county and 3 time all metropolitan hockey player. Matt was awarded player of the year by the Montgomery county gazette in 2012 in hockey.

Kevin McNamara, Midfield, Ridgewood HS, Ridgewood, NJ – Kevin was a three year varsity letterman for NJ power Ridgewood High School. He was a member of teams that were 2011 Bergen County and Gibbs Division Champion. In 2012 Kevin helped lead Ridgewood to a NJ Group 3 state championship. Kevin Finished his senior season with 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points.

Ben Casella, SSDM, Avon Old Farms, Avon, CT – Ben was a two year varsity player for Avon. Ben’s defense was instrumental in helping lead his team to a second place founder’s league finish his junior year and the first place Founders League finish during his senior season. During the summer he played for club NED Lacrosse.

Garrett Chapman, Midfield, Rye HS/Taft, Rye, NY – Garrett was a four-year varsity player at Rye High School. He also played receiver for the Rye Garnets’ football team winning a state championship in 2008. Garrett then went on to complete a post-graduate year at The Taft School playing for Head Coach Casey D’Annolfo. During the summer Garrett played for the Long Island Sting under Ken Miller.

Brian Gramolini, Belmont HS, Belmont, MA – Brian was a four time varsity letter winner at Belmont High School and three year starter at Midfield for the Marauders. A senior captain, he was voted team MVP, and finished his senior season with 26 goals and 35 assists for a total of 61 points. He is a former member of the Team Central (Mass) Club team. Brian also was a four time letter winner for the Belmont hockey team, where he was a senior captain and was voted team MVP. He also received the MIAA Sportsmanship Award for the Middlesex League.

Transfer Players

Chris Gifford, Attack, Council Rock North HS, PA/Hobart – Chris was a 4 Year Varsity Player and 3 Year Starter at Council Rock North. He was a 2 Time Captain. During his Senior Year he was team MVP, and All SOL 1st Team. During his Junior Year he was All SOL 2nd Team and Sophomore Year was All SOL Honorable Mention. Chris had a prolific career with 80 goals, 104 assists & 209 groundballs. Chris comes to UR after spending his freshman year at Hobart College.

Jake O’Donnell, Midfield, Moorestown Friends School, Moorestown, PA/Franklin & Marshall – Jake was a 4-year varsity letterman and 3 year starter at Moorestown Friends School. His senior season he was Co-Captain and recorded 38 goals 24 assists in 14 games (leading points getter and goal scorer), named the team’s Most Valuable Player, an All Friends League 1st team selection, an All South Jersey Honorable Mention selection, and received the Scholar Athlete (honor roll all year and a standout in two sports). His junior season he was an All Friends League Honorable Mention. He has the second most points in MFS history. He played for Braveheart lacrosse’s 1st team. Jake also has 3 varsity letters in soccer.

Alec Douglas, Midfield/FO, Barrington HS, Barrington, RI/St.Mary’s College (MD) – In high school Alec was second team all-state for Rhode Island, with four varsity letters. He played on the Connecticut Stars and Ocean State lacrosse teams. Alec comes to UR after spending his freshmen year playing for the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Eagles.

Chad Goldfarb, Thayer Academy, MA, TN/ Sewanee: The University of the South – In High School, Chad was a 4 Year Varsity Attackman/ Midfielder for the Thayer Academy Tigers in Braintree, Massachusetts. Chad tallied a total of 69 Goals and 55 Assists in his career at Thayer. As a freshman at Sewanee: The University of the South, Chad played mostly midfield. With 5 goals, 7 assists, and an average of 4 GB’s per game.

Other Newcomers

Tim Chadwick, Attack, Ridgewood HS, Ridgewood NJ – Tim played 3 years of varsity for Ridgewood HS and was a solid contributor to the program. Tim played in several summer tournaments as well.

Connor Koorbush – Connor is a sophomore from Greenwich, Connecticut. Connor attended Brunswick School where he was a three year starter on the lacrosse team and was also captain of the Brunswick hockey team. Connor was consistently one of the team’s top players. His teams placed in the top three of the Western New England Prep league in all three years he was on the varsity squad.

Robert Kraft, Portledge School/Hood College, Cold Spring Harbor, NY – Bobby transferred from Hood College where he was slated to start until his season was lost to injury.

Thanks to Glenn Carter for sending us this information. Coach Carter has done a phenomenal job with this team so far, and we hope he gets the shot to take this squad to the next level!