Knighthawks Name Paul Gait Head Coach

The Rochester Knighthawks named Paul Gait the fifth head coach in franchise history today at a press conference at The Blue Cross Arena. Paul is reunited with his twin brother, Gary, who came out of retirement to play for Rochester this past October. Paul begins his professional coaching career in 2009, replacing departed Head Coach Paul Suggate.

“I am very happy having been offered this position and am looking forward to a great season and a great start to my coaching career,” said Paul Gait. “I finally have had some time to get back into the sport I love and the sport in which I work in every day. To be back involved with players again is going to be a great situation. I missed it a lot.”

“Paul brings a resume full of lacrosse success both on and off the floor,” said Knighthawks General Manager Regy Thorpe about Paul Gait, who is the president of deBeer Lacrosse. “He is a very well respected lacrosse icon that guys will have immediate respect for and rapport with. He will transfer his lacrosse knowledge to his players and lead the coaching staff. I know the players, staff and organization are excited to have him come on board to help us in our quest for the Cup.”

The National Lacrosse League Hall of Famer and 11-time All-Pro returns to the Knighthawks, where he played three seasons (1995-97) and helped the franchise win its first championship in 1997. He also earned the team’s MVP award that season as he completed his Knighthawks career with 87 goals and 58 assists in just 27 games.

Those three seasons were part of an unprecedented 13-year playing career that began in 1991 and ended in 2005. Gait played in 128 regular season games for teams in Detroit, Philadelphia, Rochester, Syracuse, Washington and Colorado. In Syracuse, he was also the Director of Player Personal. He won titles in 1991 (Detroit), 1994 (Philadelphia) and 1997 (Rochester) and was named the league’s MVP in 2002. Further, he was an eight-time First Team All-Pro and a three-time Second Team All-Pro. He still ranks third all-time in league history in goals (410) and eighth in points (712).

Gait led the league in goals in four seasons (1991, 1992, 1994, and 2002). He was also outstanding in the playoffs, scoring a record-setting eight goals in the 1994 Championship Game for the Philadelphia Wings, the most goals ever scored in a league championship game. Gait also holds the record for most career championship game goals with 23. After retiring following the 2002 season, Gait, made a brief comeback with the Colorado Mammoth in order to play again professionally with his brother Gary before Gary’s retirement in 2005.

“We are very excited to be introducing Paul Gait as our new head coach today. Needing to fill this position, only two weeks before our season gets underway, presented a challenge for sure,” said Knighthawks President Lewis Staats. “Having Paul available and agreeing to come on board with all his experience both on and off the floor will make this transition a lot easier. And finally, I’m sure the opportunity to coach his brother made his decision a little easier as well.”

To go along with his three NLL titles, Gait captured an additional nine championships in his career. He earned a Minto Cup in 1998 with Esquimalt-Victoria Legion, and won four Mann Cups: 1990 with Brooklin, 1994 and 1995 with Six Nations and 1999 with Victoria. In 2001, Gait helped the Long Island Lizards win the inaugural Major League Lacrosse championship. At the collegiate level, he earned first-team All-America honors from 1988 to 1990 and helped Syracuse win three straight national championships.

He was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 1989 and was named to the USILA North-South All-Star Game in 1990. Gait played for the Canadian National Team in the ILF World Championships in 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002, earning All-World recognition in 1994. Lacrosse Magazine named him to its All-20th Century Team and the NCAA named him to its 25th Anniversary Team. In 2003-04, he was named to the Knighthawks’ All-Time Team. In 2005, both brothers were inducted into the United States Lacrosse National Hall of Fame. In 2006, both Paul and Gary were among the five charter members to be voted into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame. In addition, he was named to the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Message from Dom Starsia, UVA Men’s Lacrosse Coach

It is my pleasure to post my first entry on the new Gait / deBeer website blog.  My message today would be similar to the one I give to any group of young players.  The sport of lacrosse is a gift that we have all been given in our lives.  This is an activity in which a sense of community among participants and fans is one of the most enduring qualities.  My wife is an official, my son is a college coach, my daughter played in high school, one nephew was a first team All-American at Navy, two others play in HS and college and my dad is a loyal fan.  For myself, I learned the game in college, have been coaching for 34 years and only just stopped playing in summer tournaments very recently. Lacrosse can be your friend for a long time.  What it asks in return is that you treat the game with respect and give an honest effort.

You do not have to be, necessarily, the biggest nor fastest “boy on the block” to make your mark at the higher levels of this sport.  If you love to play team sports, do so with a little athletic instinct, if you are willing to be the hardest worker and are open to coaching and new ideas, you will learn to love lacrosse and could be playing the game for a long time.  Even here at Virginia, we have young men on our team from the four corners of our country, each with a different level of experience and background.  The only limits imposed on the quality of your opportunity in the game are the ones you choose to impose on yourself.

I look forward to communicating with you throughout the spring.  Does this mean I am becoming a “blogger?”  We have had a terrific relationship with Gait / deBeer, especially during these past four years.  It is not a coincidence that Virginia Lacrosse has experienced some of our greatest successes during this period.  Their willingness to get this information to you is another example of their commitment to the growth of the game.  Our participation in lacrosse, yours, mine, Gait/deBeer, etc., is a partnership from which we will all benefit.

Dom Starsia

UVA Announces Recruiting Class

Head coach Dom Starsia announced a 9-member recruiting class for the class of 2013.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Virginia men’s lacrosse coach Dom Starsia is pleased to announce the signing of nine student-athletes to national letters of intent to play lacrosse at UVa beginning with the 2009-10 academic year.
Joining the Cavaliers next fall are: Connor English (Manhasset HS, Manhasset, N.Y.), Jacob Ghitelman (Cold Spring Harbor HS, Syosset, N.Y.), Chris Landon (St. Albans School, Chevy Chase, Md.), Chris LaPierre (Shawnee HS, Medford, N.J.), Howie Long (St. Anne’s-Belfield School, Ivy, Va.), Nick O’Reilly (South Side HS, Rockville Centre, N.Y.), Harry Prevas (Gilman School, Towson, Md.), Blake Riley (Governor’s Academy, South Hamilton, Mass.), and Matt White (Ridgefield HS, Ridgefield, Conn.).

“We are very proud to announce the names of the nine young men who have signed national letters of intent,” said Starsia. “This is a group of skilled, multi-sport athletes who will be outstanding members of our University and lacrosse program. Watch for a number of these candidates to impact the program early in their undergraduate careers. This group reflects the caliber of student-athlete required to reach our annual championship goals. Fans of Virginia lacrosse will enjoy getting to know a great group of guys!”

English is a 5-foot-9, 175-pound attackman from Manhasset, N.Y. He earned high school All-America honors and was named Nassau County Co-Attackman of the Year last season after scoring 53 goals and adding 18 assists. He has played on the Long Island team in the Empire State games the last two years.

“Connor is a dynamic lefthanded attackman who will compete for playing time immediately,” Starsia commented. “He has good speed, great energy and is a relentless rider.”

Ghitelman is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound midfielder from Syosset, N.Y. The younger brother of current UVa goalie, Adam Ghitelman, he led his team to a county championship last spring after scoring five goals in the title game. Ghitelman played on the Long Island team in the Empire State games and was a football standout at Cold Spring Harbor HS. He is currently attending Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts where he plays football and lacrosse.

“Jacob is a powerful athlete who can compete at both ends of the field,” noted Starsia. “His performance in the 2008 Nassau County Championship game was stunning.”

Landon is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound defenseman from Chevy Chase, Md. He earned honorable mention Washington Post All-Met honors last spring and was an Under Armour All-Star selection. A starter for his team since his freshman season, he also plays running back and defensive back on the St. Albans’ football team.

“Chris is an aggressive, high energy defender,” Starsia said. “He really came on late in the 2008 spring and was consistently impressive throughout the summer.”

LaPierre is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound midfielder from Medford, N.J. He scored 63 goals and passed for 36 assists last spring and earned All-America honors last spring. LaPierre is also one of the top football players in South Jersey. He has rushed for more than 4000 yards in his career, including more than 1000 this season as his team is ranked No. 1 in the polls heading into the state playoffs.

“’Shocker’ will be one of the more impressive athletes overall in this incoming class,” Starsia added. “With over 4,000 career yards rushing on one of the top HS football teams in New Jersey, his decision to choose Virginia lacrosse over college football was a thoughtful one. He will be a force in our game.”

Long is a 6-foot, 195-pound defenseman from Ivy, Va. He was a high school All-American defenseman last spring and helped lead St. Anne’s-Belfield to a state championship last spring. He also was a three-year starter at quarterback on the school’s football team and led it to two state titles.

“Howie’s lacrosse performance has truly blossomed in the past year,” Starsia commented. “He is beginning to demonstrate a poise on the lacrosse field that with his accompanying natural athletic instincts holds promise for a bright college career.”

O’Reilly is a 6-foot, 180-pound attack/midfielder from Rockville Centre, N.Y. A high school All-American, he tallied 44 goals and added 52 assists last season and was named Nassau County Co-Attackman of the Year with English. He is a running back on the football team and averaged nearly 10 yards per carry as a running back.

“Nick is a polished, unselfish offensive player with the physical ability to play both midfield and attack,” Starsia noted. “He can both create for himself and find the open man.”

Prevas is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound defenseman from Towson, Md. He was named to the area All-Tewaaraton team, all-city and second-team all-state for the No. 1 team in the nation last spring.

“Harry is in the ‘Ricky Smith mold’ for a Virginia defenseman,” Starsia commented. “He’s bigger than Ricky, but he has a similar uncanny stick and creative instinct.”

Riley is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound midfielder from South Hamilton, Mass. He was an all-league selection as a sophomore and junior while leading his team to three league championships. Riley scored more than 15 goals last season as his team compiled a perfect 17-0 record. He was a starter at cornerback on the school’s football team.

“Blake has played both midfield and attack but is likely a middie at the college level,” Starsia said. “He is quick and fast, with a real burst between the lines. He can make things happen.”

White is a 6-foot-1, 188-pound attackman from Ridgefield, Conn. He was a high school All-American and first-team all-state performer last spring after scoring 68 goals and 64 assists. White is also the starting quarterback on the Ridgefield football team and has been the all-league quarterback the last two seasons.

“Matt is a heady, poised athlete with a quarterback’s sense of responsibility and leadership,” said Starsia. “He carries himself with a quiet confidence that belies a fierce competitiveness. He will make his presence felt early in his career.”

“There may be additional announcements in the spring,” Starsia concluded. “I am confident fans of Virginia lacrosse will enjoy getting to know a great group of guys.”