Okay, fine: unless something really crazy happens (like Steele Stanwick transfers there or that monster from Cloverfield tears up the campus), this is our last post about High Point University this year. Promise. It’s not even like they wear our gear, or we’re friends with the staff; it’s just that they keep doing things very well. Say you’re starting up a new team at your small North Carolina college that most people have never heard of. How do you get the people interested? How do you compete with the established programs? You’ve got to take an extra step, and that’s what they keep doing.

When a squad welcomes a new recruiting class, we usually get the standard press release: “We are excited to welcome blah blah blah, we look forward to blah blah blah,” maybe you get their high school stats, and that’s a wrap. High Point is the subject of this post because they took an extra step. And what’s the extra step? That’s right, recruiting class highlight video.

You can get your name on a list, or you can be in a video. Which one do you think makes the bigger impression on potential 2013 recruits? Nice work, Panthers. Note: We’re not saying High Point invented the concept of a recruiting class video. Maybe they did. Don’t know either way. But it’s not an everyday thing, it’s not required, and that means a school is doing a little something extra to impress their recruits, which is what it’s all about.

At first we were going to post some more footage of the High Point Panthers, but changed our minds and decided to go with Dillon Panthers footage instead. Then we remembered we used Dillon Panthers footage last time, so we decided to post this video tribute to Panthro from Thundercats instead. Enjoy.

Duke isn’t the only squad getting an upgraded locker room this offseason; thanks to five Towson lacrosse alums, the Tigers are getting new facilities for the 2012 season.

The locker room has been under construction since last season, and the team was forced to use the Visitor locker rooms over at their field house. The Towson Athletics Media Dept. said the move “took away from the team’s home field advantage,” which sounded like a pretty weak excuse, but then we checked their 2011 home record (2-6, yikes), and figured maybe the Media Dept. was onto something.

Speaking of the Media Dept., here’s what they have to say about the new facilities:

- “The Tiger men’s lacrosse locker room features 52 custom lockers that are made of red oak solid wood. Each locker is 24 inches wide and stands 88 inches tall. Each locker features a programmable digital locking compartment for securing personal items with a laser-engraved Tiger head on the compartment door. In addition, there is a large foot locker box to keep clothing and cleats with vent slots, allowing gear to stay dry.”

- “There is also built-in space in each locker to hang lacrosse sticks, a clothing rod and hooks to hang practice and game gear and three shelves to place additional gear, including helmets.”

- “In addition, each locker features a custom player nameplate and an upholstered folding chair that features the Towson men’s lacrosse logo.”

- “Along with the lockers, the locker room features an audio-visual system with a wide screen that allows the team to prepare in an open space without having their view blocked. The locker room is covered with carpet that features a full-color Tiger head logo that is nine feet in length.”

Has the Duke locker room, complete with custom stick holders and championship trophy just lying around, left you spoiled, or are you impressed with Towson’s setup?

For more pictures of the new Towson locker room, click here.

It’s been a pretty good month for the Duke lacrosse team. First they’re ranked #2 in the Inside Lacrosse preseason poll, and now, thanks to a serious donation from Martin and Pamela Wygod (their son Max played goalie there from 2007-2010), the Duke Blue Devils just upgraded their lacrosse locker room facilities. Here’s a quick tour:

They fancy, huh? Here’s what the Sports Info Dept. has to say about the new place:

“The new locker room features seven-foot wooden lockers built specifically for a lacrosse player. There is room for up to three helmets on the top shelf, holes for three sticks, lower shelves for up to four pairs of shoes. The fully completed locker room will be branded throughout with Duke logos in the carpet on the walls and outside the locker room as well. There is upgraded lighting throughout with track lighting, spot lights that will shine on the logo and new overhead lighting. The most audible difference in the locker room is the updated sound system with a subwoofer and new speakers along the ceiling that allow the players to relax after a long practice or gear up for a big game. Televisions are on the walls at each end of the locker room with DIRECTV available for down time.”

Love how they just happened to leave their 2010 NCAA championship just lying around, all “Oh, this old thing?” in the middle of the floor. Guaranteed somewhere a Notre Dame fan just read this, threw his laptop on the floor and yelled “Costabile!!!”

If you want more locker room pictures (yeah, that sounds creepy, but you know what we mean), click here to check out the photo gallery.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you live in DC, drive a car, and root for the Chesapeake Bayhawks, you might be getting a new way to rep your squad. According to The Washington Times, there’s a bill being considered in the D.C. Council right now where, for just $25 (and a yearly $20 renewal fee; that’s how they get ya), residents can buy a license plate with the logo of their favorite local team on the side. Nine different team logos will be available, including the Redskins, Caps, Wizards, some other guys, and most importantly, the Chesapeake Bayhawks.

You may be wondering why Washington, D.C. would offer a Chesapeake Bayhawks license plate, you know, since the Bayhawks play in Annapolis, MD. Good question. Turns out the license plate bill was introduced back when they were still called The Washington Bayhawks. Also, quit being such a hater. Let the people have their plates.

Looks like the bill has a pretty good shot at being passed; we’ll keep you posted.

Ever wonder how Stanley from The Office spends his time when he leaves Dunder Mifflin at the end of the day? If you guessed that he made auto-tuned music videos, you’re absolutely right. You’re also a liar, because ain’t no way you guessed that.

For some reason, Stanley (he has a real name, but we’re just going to call him Stanley) has teamed up with N.U.M to record a song called “To Be Simple.” And just in case you’ve never heard of them, N.U.M (it stands for “Nuthin Under A Million”) is a Los Angeles songwriting/music production group. Some of them met while working on projects at the Black Eyed Peas’ studio, which actually makes a lot of sense.

We don’t know anything else about why this video exists (is somebody in N.U.M. Stanley’s nephew or something?), but it does, so enjoy.

We wrote about High Point University’s lacrosse team a few times this year, and that’s because they kept giving us reasons to write about them. Gotta respect a young program keeping their name out there. This time the Panthers bring us their 2011 fall practice highlight reel. Why do they have a fall practice highlight reel? Not too sure. On the other hand, why doesn’t everybody? Think about it: Wonder why nobody fell for that tired old rocker dodge this fall? Watch your video. Get your ankles broke by an attackman driving from X? Watch the video a few times and don’t let it happen again.

At first we were going to post some more footage of the High Point Panthers, but changed our minds and went Dillon Panthers instead. Enjoy.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

It’s the 25th anniversary of “My Adidas,” and to celebrate, Adidas is releasing these tomorrow:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
They only made 1986 pairs, so good luck. Probably want to try Adidas Online. Also available: matching commemorative t-shirt and track suit. Ooh whee.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photos by drjays.

(Matching gold chains and kangols sold separately, but stuff at the Halloween stores is about 50% off right now, so you’re in luck if you’re short on funds.) You really have to go for the whole ensemble, don’t you? That’s right you do. It’s like that, and that’s the way it is.

The NALL’s Kentucky Stickhorses held their combine this past Saturday at a YMCA outside of Cincinnati, OH. Check out some combine footage and interviews in this video they put together.

And yes, that is the “Ice Cream Paint Job” instrumental track running through the entire video. Why? Good question. Not really sure, but we approve. Yeah buddy, rollin like a big shot. Anyway, where were we?

If you’re still trying to get a on an NALL team, you’ve got a few more chances; there are combines in Maryland and Florida later this month. Then comes the big National Combine and Supplemental Draft in December, and the league gets started in January. If you didn’t see it yet, here’s a link to the league schedule that came out last week.

When we talk about sports, we’re usually talking lacrosse. It’s what we do. But sometimes a human rights story comes along so powerful, so moving, that we have no choice but to share it. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re talking about the Perry Hall High School soccer team.

Timonium, MD – 10th ranked Perry Hall just defeated 2nd seed Dulaney 2-1 and earned a spot n the Class 4A North region semi-finals. So what did the Gators do to celebrate? That’s right: they moved it like Bernie.

Photo courtesy Timonium Patch
 
Anyway, Dulaney High don’t take too kindly to post-game Bernies at their expense, and the backlash from parents and fans began right away. Long story short, apparently the principal over at Perry Hall isn’t much of a Bernie fan either, because their season has been canceled for “inappropriate behavior that did not represent Perry Hall High School.” That’s right. Season. Over. No more playoffs, all because of The Bernie.

Granted we weren’t there to see it, but we’re not too sure The Bernie should knock you out of the playoffs. Sorry fellas, that’s no way for your season to end. Perry Hall, this one’s for you.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you’re heading to Russia this weekend, you’re in luck: the Capitals Cup, Russia’s first official lacrosse game, goes down this Saturday in Moscow.

Lacrosse has only been played in Russia since 2007, and since The Moscow Rebels and St. Petersburg White Knights are the only two lacrosse clubs in the country, winner earns the title of national champion. After that’s settled, they’re looking to form a national team in time for the 2014 World Championship in Denver. Check out this St. Petersburg times article about the Capitals Cup, the match to “determine the current ruler of Russian lacrosse.”