Driven: Drexel University sophomore attackman Brendan Glynn talks about his love of winning and lacrosse

Brendan Glynn playing against Hofstra in 2010
Photo courtesy of lax.com

             For sophomore Drexel University lacrosse player Brendan Glynn, winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.

            “Personally, I go into every practice, scrimmage and game expecting to come out on top,” said Glynn. “Without a banner at the end of the season, you might as well have never played at all.”

            A 2009 graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep located in Philadelphia, Pa. Glynn finished his high school career as the program’s all-time leader in both goals and total points. He was named to the All-Catholic first team four times, the All-State first team twice (first in 2008, then again in 2009), and later honored as the Catholic League’s Most Valuable Player after his senior campaign in 2009.

            Although it initially took Glynn sometime to see the field for Drexel University as a true freshman in 2010, he gradually became a key contributor to the team’s man-up offense and seemed to earn more and more game experience as the season progressed.

            This off-season, after impressing the coaches with a strong fall and winter -- both out on the field and in the gym -- Glynn has been named one of the three starting attackmen for the Dragons as they gear up for their annual opening game against the preseason ranked # 2 University of Virginia Cavaliers on Feb 19 in Charlottesville, Va.

            Glynn sat down with me recently to discuss his lacrosse past, present, and future with the #17 Drexel Dragons, as well as his team’s expectations in 2011.

Q: You obviously had a great career at St. Joe’s Prep. What’s the main difference between high school and college lacrosse so far?

A: Oh the speed of the game for sure, the intensity, expectations. Lacrosse is year round these days. It kind of becomes my job.

Q: When you say expectations, what do you mean?

A: Well you’re expected to truly get better everyday. At the division 1 level no one has time for kids who drop balls and don’t know what they’re doing. I have to be at the top of my game every time I step onto the field, period.

Q: Would you say you there was a transition period for you as a freshman? Such as from being a high school player, to becoming a college lacrosse player? If so, what was it like?

A: Absolutely. Just my overall understanding of the game [is better]. I mean the game is so much faster and more precise here. But, specifically, I would say my off ball game needed to improve, and I would say it has.

Q: Let’s talk about last season. Were you satisfied with how it played out for you individually?

A: Yes and no. I mean, I didn’t play as much as I wanted to, but I feel like I contributed positively to the team when I did get in. I also am proud that although I wasn’t given a starting spot right away, I was able to earn more and more opportunities as the season progressed. It would have been easy for me to give up when things weren’t going my way, but I stuck with it, worked very hard, and I have earned a pretty big role on our offense this year. So it’s really a toss up, in retrospect.

Q: Now that you’re no longer a freshman on the team, would you say you have earned more respect from the coaches and upperclassmen?

Glynn playing high school
lacrosse in 2008
Photo courtesy of
phillylacrosse.com

A: Well, I mean I don’t do any of the grunt work anymore, but as far as respect, that’s earned in my opinion. Respect isn’t something that comes with age. I was always taught that if I wanted respect, I had to earn it. So even though I feel I have earned more respect, I think it has less to do with whether I’m a freshman or a sophomore, and more to do with the fact that I have played well on the field, and have done what I can to represent myself, my family and my team to the best of my abilities. So yeah, but for different reasons.

Q: Drexel is known for having many of their true freshman redshirt (not playing a season to retain NCAA eligibility) and play for five seasons. You, however, chose to play your true freshman year. Do you feel like that experience as a freshman helped you? Or do you do feel like in retrospect, maybe having that practice year to adjust would have been beneficial?

A: I think I got better playing last year because I was kind of thrown into the fire. I heard somewhere that the best kind of food is made in a pressure cooker, and I think there is no pressure quite like being a 19-year-old true freshman getting beat up by a bunch of 22 and 23-year-old defenseman. It has no doubt made me a better player today.

Q: So heading into the 2011 season, what are your personal goals for the year?

A: I want to be feared. Feared on man up, feared during [settled offense], just plain feared really. I don’t really do the whole number of goals in your head thing. All I want is to be a big part of other teams scouting reports as a player who needs to be kept in check at all times. Being short-sticked is an insult to me. I want to draw a pole every time.

Q: What are the team’s goals for 2011?

A: Win.

Q: Would care to elaberate?

A: That’s it. If there’s a game for us to play, we plan on winning it. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first scrimmage or the national championship game. If we are playing a game, our goal is to win.

Q: Is there a player out there who you looked up to or emulated when you were young?

A: Former [Johns] Hopkins great Kevin Huntley. He played the same position as me, and in my opinion was the best to ever do it. He also won championships, my man, and that’s how the great ones are measured. Not stats, not fame, not how many girls like you. It’s all about rings.

Q: Thanks a lot for your time. I guess I’ll end this interview with a little game. Please finish this sentence: Brendan Glynn’s college career is complete only if…..

A: I win a national championship.

           

A second chance: Former High school All American Pete Borror talks about his college lacrosse disappointment, his coaching career, and his journey back to the top

Borror during the 2008 Under Armour
All American Game
Photo Courtesy of the Borror Family

Life has come full circle for current JVB Haverford School lacrosse coach Pete Borror. Only three seasons ago Borror was the top defensive recruit in the country for the Haverford School, a two time All American selection in high school, Borror was a top commodity amongst college scouts.

            “When I coach my kids now, I like to think about how much I respected older players from our program when they came back to help us when I played,” said Borror. “I know these kids have heard about me and what I used to be, so I try to be sensitive to that and not give off the wrong impression about who I am.”

            Much like Borror himself, many of his players strive to be the next top Philadelphia lacrosse recruits and go to big name schools just like they’ve always dreamed about.

            But, not all Philadelphia high school lacrosse commits enjoy the fairytale ending to their college lacrosse careers that is often promised during the recruiting process.

Borror knows this reality all too well.

            “I was promised the world,” Borror said. “ But I don’t blame anyone but myself for the situation I am currently in.”

 (Borror vs Gilman school in 2008; Courtesy of digitalsportsTV)

            Borror was one of many high school lacrosse standouts to graduate from The Haverford School in 2008. A highly touted recruit, Borror gave a verbal commitment to play lacrosse at The University of Virginia following his sophomore summer in the fall of 2006.

            Borror and UVA seemed to be a match made in heaven. Borror’s older brother Jon Borror (Haverford School ’06) was a major part of The Haverford School’s last state championship team in 2005, and a part of the UVA lacrosse 2010 recruiting class.

            “When (Jon) committed to UVA in 05 it just seemed like the perfect fit,” Borror said. “I guess when this didn’t work out for him I should have maybe re-evaluated my situation.”

            Jon Borror only lasted one season at The University of Virginia. After a number of back problems in the summer of 2007 he transferred to Rutgers University to play, but never saw the field.

            Jon Borror’s situation seemed to foreshadow his sibling’s future struggles with the Wahoos of UVA. Following back-to-back All American campaigns for the Fords in 07 and 08, Borror entered his freshman season at UVA confident and excited about his future.

            The UVA coaching staff seemed to have different plans, however. When Fall Ball opened for UVA in September of 2008, Borror quickly found himself buried deep on the bench.

            “Needless to say I was pretty upset,” Borror explained. “I’m not a pre-Madonna but I am a competitor. I wasn’t expecting them to just hand me time early, but I was promised an even opportunity. I don’t feel like I got that at Virginia.”

            Much like his brother Jon before him, Borror only lasted one season at UVA. Lack of playing time, combined with some academic issues and various injuries forced Borror to leave Charlottesville, Va altogether and return home to Media, Pa after his sophomore year at UVA. Borror chose not to play lacrosse during his sophomore spring semester.

            Some might say that, that is the end of Borror’s lacrosse story. Borror however, will tell you that this is just the beginning.

            “Let’s be honest, I’m not the first lax player in the world to not have his college experience work out,” Borror said. “It’s not just lacrosse anyway. Basketball, football, baseball, I’m sure there are stories like mine all across the world. Life goes on though I guess. That’s why I went back to Haverford to coach.”

            Borror is now concluding his first season as an assistant coach on the Haverford School JVB lacrosse team. Borror calls the experience as a coach rewarding and fun. But when Borror looks in the mirror, he doesn’t see a lacrosse coach.

“I am a player, that is for sure,” he said. “Although I love my current job at Haverford, I can’t wait to get back of the field and show what I can do.”

Borror playing for Duke's lacrosse club
during summer 2008
Photo courtesy of the Borror family

According to Borror, he has been in contact with a number of high end division I lacrosse coaches since leaving UVA. However, the names of which he cannot disclose until he makes a decision about his playing future.

“Even though UVA as a whole was a rather humbling experience, I hold no resentment. I love the game of lacrosse and that’s all that matters,” said Borror, as he prepared for another workout on his personal road to lacrosse redemption. “I’ll be back, you can count on that.”

Villanova men's lacrosse @ Drexel 3/1/2011

The Drexel Dragon’s men’s lacrosse team (1-2) lost an early season matchup against local Philadelphia rival Villanova Wildcats (2-1) 14-13 March 1 at Drexel’s Vidas field.

            The Dragons were paced by sophomore attackman Brendan Glynn, whose five goals were a game high.

            “I’m so proud of Brendan today,” said Glynn’s younger brother Thomas Glynn. “He’s worked so hard, and this game is always so important. We didn’t get the W, but I’m still proud of him.”

            Glynn wasn’t Drexel’s only offensive threat on this day however, as many Dragon’s found the net to put pressure on the Wildcat defense. Senior attackman Scott Perri (Smithtown, NY) had four goals, while senior midfielder Dan Layfield’s (Lima, NY) two goals kept the game in reach for Drexel. One goal was also added by sophomore midfielder Craig Owen (Media, Pa) and sophomore attackman Nick Trizano (Eastchester, NY).

            The Wildcat offense came ready to play as well. Junior attackman Kevin Cunningham (Garden City, NY) led the Wildcat offense with four goals and two assists. Junior attackman Matt Ball (Severna Park, MD), junior midfielder Mike Vigilante (Massapequa, NY), and sophomore midfielder Max Hart (Bethesda, MD) each added two goals for Nova.

            Sophomore midfielder Nick Doherty (Bernardsville, NJ), sophomore attackman Will Casertano (Millbrook, NY), sophomore attackman Jack Rice (Baltimore, MD), and junior midfielder C.J. Small (San Diego, Ca) each contributed one goal to the Wildcat victory.

            Tuesday’s Villanova victory over Drexel was extremely important to the Wildcats (2-1), who followed their win with a 10-6 victory over Fairfield on March 5.

            Drexel (1-2) didn’t seem to recover from the Nova los in time for their March 6 matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, losing on the road to the 2010 National Champion runners-up 7-11.

            Ultimately, face-offs proved to be the difference for the Wildcats Tuesday. Junior face-off midfielder Nolan Vihlen (Germantown, Tenn) went 11-19 facing off, assuring that possession of the ball was in Nova’s control throughout the game.

            “I’m happy with the way we won the face-off battle for the first time this year. Nolan [Vihlen] and Croonquist worked hard for us,” Villanova Head Coach Michael Corrado told Villanova.com following the victory.

            The Villanova defense ultimately proved too strong for the Drexel attack in the end. Nova’s defense was led by senior All-American and future Major League Lacrosse star Bran Karalunas (Dewiit, NY), Junior defenseman Chris Creighton (West Chester, Pa), and sophomore goalie Billy Hurley (Morristown, NJ), demonstrating why Villanova is considered to be a top defensive unit in the country.

            “We sure do play good defense,” said Villanova fan Frank Mita. “Every time Drexel would gain a little momentum, our defense held them off.”

            The Villanova defensive tone was set by star Long Stick Midfielder Brian Karalunas, whose four caused turnovers and two groundballs made it impossible for the Drexel offensive unit to find a consistent rhythm.

Senior Captain Brian Karalunas picks up one of his two groundballs vs Drexel
Photo courtesy of Phillylacrosse.com

Karalunas was the 2010 Big East defensive player of the year, a 2010 All-American, the Villanova 2010 Most Valuable player, and as of January 2011 the 35^th overall pick of the Long Island Lizards of Major league Lacrosse (The World’s premiere professional outdoor lacrosse league).

“Villanova may have come out on top after this game, but today was a victory for everyone who loves Philadelphia lacrosse,” said Frank Mita. “The crowd was electric, and the game was incredibly entertaining. People are starting to take notice that lacrosse is here to stay. I love this game.”

Meet the Picks: A closer look at Eagles 2011 first round pick Danny Watkins and second round pick Jaiquawn Jarrett

            It seems like today the NFL spends more time in the courtroom fighting over the new collective bargaining agreement than they ever did actually playing football. As a result, when the NFL draft continued as usual this past Thursday, I wanted nothing to do with it.

            Why would I?

Why would anyone want anything to do with a league where billionaire owners and millionaire players argue over even more money?

            But, as the Philadelphia Eagles first round selection drew closer and closer, I couldn’t deny who I am inside. I finally cracked and turned it on.

Eagles first round pick Danny Watkins
Photo courtesy of NFLmocks.com

            I was able to turn on the television in time for the Eagles selection of Baylor Offensive Guard Danny Watkins. Watkins is a 26-year-old player from Canada who picked up football while attending Butte College, where he originally aspired to become a professional firefighter before picking up the sport.

            Watkins is exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles need right now. Watkins is big and nasty. He should solidify a right guard position that crippled the Philadelphia Eagles offense this season -- and possibly a little more literally -- for Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

            Critics of Danny Watkins would say that at age 26, Watkins is way to old to spend a first round pick on. However, due to Watkins picking up football at a much later age than other draftees, he does not have the same wear and tear on his body that is often experienced by other 26-year-old NFL players. Also his age allows him to be more physically ready to make the transition against a more aggressive and intense style of play that NFL defensive tackles are notoriously known for.

            In the second round the Philadelphia Eagles selected Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett with the 54^th overall selection. Jarrett is a hard-hitting, aggressive safety who can play up in the box at strong safety, or out in deep thirds at the free safety position. Jarrett brings a physical element to an Eagles secondary that has sorely missed Brian Dawkins since his departure to Denver during 2009’s free agency period.

            More important than Jarrett’s physicality, however, is his consistent tackling ability. The Eagles have been a terrible tackling team since legendary Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson passed away before the beginning of the 2009 Eagles Training Camp, leaving Sean McDermott (who was fired earlier this offseason) to control the defense for the last two seasons.

Jaiquawn Jarret, Eagles second round pick
Photo courtesy of Eaglesgab.com

            There are those who say that Jarrett is not athletic enough to be a starting safety in the NFL, as a result many experts predicted that Jarrett could fall as far as the 5^th round in the draft. Jarrett also played in the Mid America Conference (MAC), which is considered a lower level of competition than other more traditional powerhouse conferences like the South Eastern Conference (SEC) or the Big 10.

However, Jarrett has started every game in his Temple career and is considered one of the more polished safetys in the draft because of his experience. Jarrett also shined when Temple played stronger football programs such as Penn State. His 11 total tackles vs PSU impressed many NFL scouts and showed he could dominate against any competition.

            Jarrett will be a great addition for new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo and Watkins will surely make the job of new Eagles offensive line Howard Mudd much easier. Either way the first two rounds of the NFL draft should prove to be very productive for the Eagles as time moves forward, assuming that the NFL ever plays football again.

Ohio State men's basketball @ Purdue University 2/20/2011

Purdue senior Guard E'Twaun Moore
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America) 

            With the Madness of March barely a week away, the 11^th nationally ranked Purdue Boilermakers upset the visiting third ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 76 – 63 in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 14,000 at Purdue’s Mackey Arena Sunday afternoon.

            The Boilermaker victory avenged an 87-64 loss in Columbus, Ohio on Jan 25, the first time these two Big Ten powerhouses met.

            This win further closes the gap between Purdue (22-5, 11-3 Big Ten) and Ohio State (26-2, 13-2 Big Ten) to within one game of the conference lead, and bumps Purdue up from 11^th in both the AP top 25 and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll to eight in the country in both week 16 polls.

            The Boilermakers were led by senior guard E’Twaun Moore, whose 38 points and five assists were a game high. “He’s my favorite player,” said Purdue first semester freshman Tyler Behmke. “He’s going to the league, I promise you that. That was the most clutch performance I’ve ever seen.”

            The verb clutch may best describe Moore’s performance Sunday, his two late three pointers, along with a first half exciting break away lay up, electrified the crowd and seemed to take the life out of Ohio State.

The Buckeyes seemed to have no answer for Purdue’s most celebrated veteran, who was easily the game’s most valuable player.

E’Twaun Moore shot 13-18 from the field, including 7-10 from three point range. He more than doubled his season averages of 18.1 ppg and 3.1 apg, proving that Moore was more than ready to answer the bell when called upon.

Moore wasn’t the games only hero however. Fellow senior center Ja’Juan Johnson went 4-10 from the floor and scored 13 points to go along with six rebounds and two blocked shots. The 6-10 Johnson is considered to be the team’s top NBA prospect, and has been the team’s leading scorer this season, averaging 20.4 ppg.

“This is the first game I’ve been to all season, and what a game to pick, huh,”

said alumni Robert Earl. “Who would have thought that this team would be this good. Considering we lost Hummel, I can’t wait to see what Sportscenter has to say now”.

Earl was referring to Purdue super star Senior Robbie Hummel, who was regarded as Purdue’s best player, before being lost for the entire season when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in October.

The team was thought to be a non-factor following Hummel’s injury, but the Boilermakers are slowly proving to everyone that great teams win games, not great players.

“ This win is huge for this team, this colleges, and the entire town of West Lafayette,” added Purdue student Tyler Behmke. “This school may call [Indiana University] their big rivals, but I know one thing, we all enjoy beating the [tar] out of Ohio State as well”.

Ohio State was led by freshman forward Jared Sullinger, who scored 25 points during the game. Buckeye’s guard Jon Diebler added 11 points, while 10 points were scored by both forward David Lightly and guard Aaron Craft, who managed to keep Ohio State in the game.

Purdue will look to finish out the regular season as strongly as they played today, with upcoming games at rival Indiana University on Wednesday Feb 23, and at Michigan State that Friday.

Ohio State will look to rebound from this tough defeat on Sunday when they host Indiana University before closing out the regular season with games at Penn State on March 1 precluding the epic rematch against 12 ranked Wisconsin, who handed Ohio State their first lose of the season earlier this month.

If there is one thing that Purdue’s victory has given their fans, it’s hope: Hope that this team could make the entire state of Indiana proud; hope that everyone who doubted this team after the los of Hummel will one day have to eat their words. 

             Purdue coach Matt Painter talked to Sportsillustrated.com about his “new” star not named Hummel.

"He gets into those rhythms and gets going, he can score points in bunches," Painter said. "I've always thought he was one of the best guards in the country when he lets things come to him. He didn't force a lot. That's really, whether he takes 10 shots or 20 shots, the deal with him. If he can do that, he really, really helps our team."