Delaware Lacrosse Alumni

FALL NOTES

The team enjoyed a very productive fall season. The players conditioned for two weeks before beginning their five week fall practice program. Over 65 players tried out for 42 spots. After just one week of practice, the Hens took on the Canadian National team. Team Canada was training in Baltimore for their final squad selections. During this week of tryouts for the Canadians, Team Canada beat Navy, UMBC, Mt. Washington and Delaware while losing only to Johns Hopkins. Team Canada versus Delaware was an exciting game with both teams exchanging goals through three and a half quarters. A rally of goals near the end of the fourth quarter gave the Canadians a 15 - 13 win. On October 19 the Blue Hens competed in the Princeton Tournament against Penn, U.Mass, UMBC, Drexel and Hobart. Sixteen teams along with team USA competed. Every team had an assigned schedule of five one hour mini games. The tournament gave the coaching staff an opportunity to give everyone plenty of playing time and to make evaluations for the spring. Since the Princeton tournament the team conditioned four times a week until Christmas break. Conditioning resumed January 5 and spring practice began January 18.

1998 PREVIEW

Last year the coaching staff felt positive about the potential for the 1997 season and then experienced one of our toughest seasons. Youth, immaturity and injuries to several potentially key players were major factors in 1997's results. Many of the loses were close 1-2 goals contests. If our 1998 group has turned the corner in experience and maturity, the potential is unlimited. This 1998 squad may be one of the strongest teams offensively in recent years. A major key to show that offensive potential will be the ability to win face offs, and to play solid defense limiting the possession time of our opponents. After two weeks of practice several players have stood out demonstrating exceptional potential. Overall, preseason has gone extremely well. The group is excited about its chances in 1998.

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 1998

John Grant attack 6'2 210 With each workout he gets more comfortable with playing the field game. John was selected to the Canadian National Team. This spring he has shown the ability to be the complete player. He has one of the hardest and most accurate shots our coaching staff has seen in many years. This preseason he has also shown outstanding feeding ability as well. He will be worth the effort to come see him play.

Jim Bruder Midfield 6-1 200 Our staff will match Jim with any midfielder in the country. Face Off magazine & Lacrose USA has picked him as one of the top midfielders in the country and a pre-season All American. He is strong and can dodge as well as any middie in the country. Jim returns as our leading scorer (47 points) from last season. Selected as a first team All American East All Star last spring. Jim was selected as one of the top 15 middies in the nation by Face Off Magazine.

Kevin Lavey Attack 5-9 185 Kevin has been the second leading scorer on the team both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Extremely athletic and dangerous in the open field. Kevin combined with John Grant will be explosive in 1998. Kevin was also a pre-season Lacrosse USA as well as Face Off magazine All American.

Jeff Schardein Midfielder 5-9 165 Jeff has been on the verge of stardom both his freshman and sophomore years. The lacking ingredient has been confidence and maturity. He has it in 1998 and should be a major threat offensively at midfield

Dennis DeBusschere Midfielder 6-1 195 It must be in the genes (Dennis' dad is Dave DeBusschere, former NBA great). Now a junior, Dennis is one of the best cutters our coaching staff has had the pleasure to coach. Exceptional off the ball, he faces off and has shown excellent leadership qualities.

Ron Jedlicka Goalie 5-10 190 Ron has sat behind four year starter Brian Cooper for two seasons. This year is Ron's year. He directs the defense with confidence and authority. Very aggressive, Ron is not afraid to come out and create the transition from the goalie position.

Mark Traverso Defense 6-2 200 Mark has made an exceptional recovery from major knee surgery. Mark may be the best athlete on the squad. Fast, aggressive and skilled (played midfield in high school) he has All American potential.

Freshmen to watch: All four should play and be strong contributors

Jason Lavey attack Jason Motta midfield Kevin Quinn Long stick middie Keevin Galbraith Defense

1948 - 1998 50TH YEAR CELEBRATION

Delaware will be celebrating 50 years of intercollegiate men=s lacrosse this spring. Special events to celebrate the semicentennial year will be on the April 18 game vs. Loyola College. Plans are being organized to honor all of our past players. A brochure will be mailed to all alumni and supporters by March 1 explaining all details and options pertaining to the April 18 celebration.

Below are the following events for April 18: Friday afternoon, April 17 golf outing. Contact person will be supplied in the brochure. Friday evening, Blue & Gold Reception / Stone Balloon Specials Saturday, April 18 11 am Loyola Alumni vs Delaware Alumni contest on practice field. 11 am Caesar Rodney High vs Mt. St. Joe's High from Balt. On Mini Stadium Field 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. tailgate & cookout for former players, parents & families. 3 p.m. Delaware vs Loyola in Delaware Stadium. Introductions at half time of all returning former players. Saturday evening 8 p.m. Klondike Kate's Special

Available to alumni attending will be:

1. 50 th year "ScrapBook". This book will include a page on each team with a summary of their accomplishments and comments by players on the team.

2. 50 th year mementos.

3. T-shirt and mesh shorts for those playing in the Delaware vs Loyola Alumni game.

The athletic department is financially supporting many of the activities. The University and athletic department is looking forward to the April 18 activities. The April 18 game is also Youth Lacrosse and Milt Roberts Day. All proceeds will be given to the development of youth lacrosse in the state of Delaware. This game has drawn outstanding crowds since its inception four years ago. Circle your calendar! This will be a weekend everyone will enjoy!

50 YEAR SCRAPBOOK

Our coaching staff needs your help. We are completing a 50 years of lacrosse scrapbook for our supporters. Each team will have a page with team picture (if available) and summary. Included will be comments by team members on their thoughts and experiences of playing lacrosse at Delaware. Help us out by sending, faxing or e-mailing to our office your comments.

WORLD GAMES 1998

This summer is an exceptional opportunity for lacrosse fans to see the top international lacrosse event in the world games. Over 14 different countries will be competing over a two week period. Tickets will be sold as a block package. Only 10,000 tickets will be sold on a first come basis. The games will be held at Johns Hopkins University PRESEASON RANKING Face Off Magazine and College Lacrosse USA has selected Delaware as #25 in the country. Both organizations have also picked the Blue Hens to be third in the America East Conference. Looks like the team has its work cut out for them. College Lacrosse USA picked Hofstra as first. Kevin Lavey, Jim Bruder and Mark Traverso were picked as preseason All conference with John Grant selected as the "Best Player You Haven't Heard Of ". Follow the Blue Hens in of "Face Off" magazine 516-821-1816 or "Inside Lacrosse" 410 583 8180.

TOUGH SCHEDULE!

Delaware plays 10 teams in top 25. Five of those teams are in the top ten. FINAL NOTES: One way of assisting the University of Delaware=s program with its recruiting efforts is to contribute to one of our scholarship programs. Recruiting top Division I players is very competitive and your contribution can assist the coaching staff efforts in encouraging the nation's top players to attend Delaware. Your recent contributions were a major factor for the success of our 1998 recruiting class. For further information on how you can contribute to either the Milt Roberts or Gary Celeste Scholarship programs contact Bob Shillinglaw at 302-831-8661.

1998 SCHEDULE

FEB 22 SCRIMMAGE @ Maryland 1 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON

FEB 28 Fairfield University @ New Canaan High 1 p.m.

March 7 Hofstra 1 p.m. Home

March 14 Butler 1 p.m. Home

March 18 Vermont 3 p.m. Home

March 21 Navy 1 p.m. Home

March 25 Mt St Mary's 3 p.m. Home

March 29 @ Rutgers 1 p.m.

April 4 @ Towson 7:30 p.m.

April 8 @ Georgetown 3 p.m.

April 11 North Carolina 1 p.m. Home Gary Celeste Day

April 15 @ Hartford 3:30 p.m.

April 18 Loyola 3:00 p.m. Youth Lacrosse Day Milt Roberts Day 50 th Year Celebration

April 22 Yale 4:00 p.m.

April 25 @ Penn State 7:30 p.m.

May 2 @ Drexel 1 p.m.