CHAMPAIGN, IL                

                After three years of a coaching merry-go-round, The University of Illinois Men’s Lacrosse Team looks to start the 2010 season with the optimism and consistency that brothers and coaches Joe and Phil Dodson bring to the team daily.

                Recently graduated (U of I class of 2009), Phil Dodson signed on to the Illinois coaching staff during the summer, bringing impressive credentials and an accomplished resume from his 4 years as a defensive starter for the University’s lacrosse team.

                Phil joins his brother Joe as a two-time MCLA All-American and two year defensive captain of the Illinois squad. Phil will be taking up the responsibility of working directly with the defensive unit, as well as assisting his brother and offensive-minded head coach Joe Dodson on the sideline. “It’s going to be a much better situation for everyone,” said Joe Dodson. “I’ll be able to focus more on the offense and he’ll be in charge of the defense. It’s going to be an exciting year for the Illini.”

                Phil agrees. “We have a great chemistry together,” he said when asked about what it’s like working with his older brother. “We’re able to keep it real with each other, and trust me, neither of us are worried about hurting any feelings.”

                Despite the exciting addition of a familiar face to the coaching staff, the loss of 12 contributing seniors from last year’s team raised significant questions about how those losses would affect the team’s skill level in 2010. Among those lost to graduation were attackman Joe O’Malley, the GRLC assists leader for four years straight, attackman Nate Prescott (20g, 7a), midfielders Stephen Black (2008 GRLC offensive player of the year, two-time All American),   Doug Sutherland (two-time All American), Chirs Fallon (2009 Most Valuable Player), the midfield unit’s workhorse Ricky Valencia, and Phil Dodson on the defensive side.

                However, with the first day of fall practice came perhaps the most exciting and highly skilled incoming class that the lacrosse club has ever seen. “The first day of practice is like Christmas,” Joe Dodson excitedly remarked. Indeed, all fifteen newcomers have contributed to the team’s success this fall. Among the newcomers are graduate student and former Denison University Football starter Will Minor, Ben McClellan a midfielder out of the Boston area, Kevin Ford an attackman out of Evanston, Illinois, Mike Grutch, a highly skilled defenseman out of Wilmette, Illinois, and Kyle Blouin, an offensively talented attackman/midfielder.

                The returning members of the squad also look to continue to contribute. Returning starters Scott Pfiffner (17g, 22a), Bob Ridlen (12g, 4a), Eric Rakoczy (G), as well as several others, including Dan Dickson (10g, 3a) who has recently been moved to the attack position, look to lead the team to the national tournament this spring.

                It’s an exciting time to be involved with the University of Illinois Men’s Lacrosse Team. Check back often for scores, stats, and updates as the team looks to close out the fall preseason and enter 2010 on a high note.