University of Massachusets Athletics
ECAC Lacrosse A Nice Fit
March 21, 2000 | Men's Lacrosse
March 21, 2000
by MattAbt
The Maroon & White
The UMass men's lacrosse team made one of the boldest moves in the storied history of the program when it announced its membership in the newly formed Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Lacrosse League. The Minutemen join Georgetown, Navy, UMBC, Penn State, Rutgers and Stony Brook in the league, which will begin competition this spring. Nearly a half century as an independent is coming to an end.
"Top to bottom, it's the best league in the country, no doubt about it," said UMass head coach Greg Cannella. Three of the conference's seven members - Georgetown, Navy, and UMBC - made the NCAA Tournament last season, and another - Penn State - was right on the bubble.
ECAC commissioner Phil Buttafuoco first approached Cannella in September of 1998 about UMass' possible participation. The two sides met once more before finalizing the deal the following spring. "The ECAC is pleased to form a men's lacrosse conference with these prestigious institutions," said Buttafuoco. "We believe that the league will enhance the experience of each student-athlete by recognizing their achievements on and off the field."
Buttafuoco wanted UMass in the league because it has traditionally fielded a competitive team, and because it is in close proximity with the league's other members. "I think they looked at some geographic reasons, and I think they went after some good quality programs," said Cannella. "We've never been involved in a league, so we're excited about it."
Membership in the new conference will have its privileges. The ECAC becomes one of four NCAA lacrosse conferences whose champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, joining the America East Conference, the Ivy League, and the Patriot League. The team with the best record in regular season conference play will be crowned league champion and will receive the automatic bid. In the past, a committee of coaches selected the tournament's 12 participants based on overall records and strength of schedule.
Although the Minutemen will still travel to Baltimore twice a season, the conference schedule will reduce the number of lengthy bus rides and overnight stays. "Going down to Baltimore is a trip," said Cannella. "But we're taking away those other trips down south, where we flew or bussed to Virginia, and the ones out west like Notre Dame."
The conference schedule has eliminated games against ACC powerhouses Duke and Virginia, but has added yearly contests against some of the country's top teams. This season the Minutemen's schedule is rated 13th toughest in the nation. "By joining the league, you're locked into those six (conference) games, and they're all very good games," said Cannella. "So it doesn't really affect the strength of schedule."
UMass will play each of its six conference opponents once a season, which should produce new intra-league rivalries. Cannella is hopeful that the excitement generated by these rivalries will create an atmosphere that already exists in other sports. "In the basketball program you know how big the Temple game is each year, regardless of who's playing well," said Cannella. "I think that will emerge through this league as well."
In addition, the awarding of conference honors, such as ECAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, Scholar Athlete awards, and All-League teams should help to promote the team and its top players.
UMass played its first-ever ECAC Lacrosse League contest when it traveled to Stony Brook on Saturday, March 4th to take on the Seawolves. The Minutemen prevailed with a 17-4 victory. It's first league game at Garber Field will be against UMBC on April 8.
