NLL hosts live, virtual college entry draft (September 18, 2020)
Leagues faced plenty of challenges in 2020, and one in particular was having to conduct events virtually. The NLL faced the challenge head on, broadcasting a live, virtual college entry draft on YouTube so that 93 NLL hopefuls could experience draft day.
The broadcast featured the likes of Devan Kaney, Stephen Stamp, Teddy Jenner and Tabitha Turner, and saw teams’ general managers, coaches and personnel announcing their picks. As for the draft itself, the New York Riptide selected Cornell standout Jeff Teat with the first pick overall. The Rochester Knighthawks then traded down from #2 to #3, allowing the Vancouver Warriors to select defender Reid Bowering, while Rochester selected forward Ryan Smith at #3.
Pro women’s lacrosse returns with new Athletes Unlimited league (October 20, 2020)
Professional women’s lacrosse was dealt some tough blows in 2020, first with the announcement that the WPLL’s third season had been cancelled due to COVID-19 and then that the league itself was folding due to financial reasons. The future of pro women’s lacrosse looked grim. Then came the news that Athletes Unlimited would be adding a professional women’s lacrosse league for 2021. The news was huge for women’s lacrosse and breathed new life into the sport, while also providing an opportunity for the pro athletes to compete at the highest level.
