What's good YB!? 

Now, I know I've apologized before about being MIA for awhile, but the past 4 weeks or so have the busiest I've had in a good year or so! I bounced around in Austin TX promoting the LXM event for a few weeks, flew back in Orlando for a few days to coach a team from Minnesota, came to LA for a day or two for meetings, then flew right back to AUstin for 5 days leading up to LXM Pro 512 which was on April 10th. 

The event was deifnitely a success, and I had an absolute BLAST! In the morning, Brett Hughes (UVA), Steven Brooks (Cuse), Danny Groot (MD), Evan Kay (UMBC) and I put on a clinic for about 150 people which was awesome! We had a very attentaive crowd and took them through stick work, shooting, defensive positioning, dodging, and then signed autographs for awhile! The lacrosse community in Texas was nothing but supportive of the event and it was great to see them so passionate about our sport. 

Next, UT played Texas AM but unfortunately, I didn't get to watch as much as I would have liked because I needed to start stretching and getting taped up for my game! This rivalry is HEATED in Texas, no matter what sport it is! I did however get to hang out in the VIP section for a bit with my girlfriend and parents to watch the game(which was very close to the field, which was awesome), and a Texas AM kid got lit up into the section! Kids loved it!! UT won this game fairly easily, and the crowd loved it. 

Then, it was on to the Pro game!!! We had SOME GREAT pro's out on the field to put on a show for the Texas Lacrosse Community. I can't begin tto tell you how good it felt to get back out on the field and compete! From the opening whistle, guys got after it and the game was played at a very high level. On my team (team Cascade), I got to play with the Ritz Bro's, Steven Brooks (aka Duck Ripper), Brett Hughes, and Harry Alford in cage and the great Mike Watson just to name a few. On the other squad (team Luminous), Jake Byrne, Graham Gill, Brendan Corp, Ryan Cranston and Alex Hewitt were some of the big time players who gave us trouble through out the game. We got out to a serrrrrious run at the beginnign of the game with Lou Braun (Team Cascade) dominating face-off's. Overall, the game play was solid. I was happy with my play for the most part, could have been more aggressive, but I come off the field everytime I play feeling like that. I ended up with 2 goals and a few assists, and my team won, so I've got no complaints! Dodging against Brendan Tigue was a bit different than I'm used to because he is HUGE! I had no idea how big that cat is, but he's definitely the biggest pole I've matched up against up top. Was definitely fun to compete against him. Mike Watson and Harry Alford ended up with game MVP's with Watson having 4g's, 2a's, and Harry Alford had 17 saves! All in all this is the highest level of lacrosse that this Austin lacrosse community has seen, and I am proud to have been apart of it. 

After the game, players hung out at the field and signed autographs for about an hour and a half or so for all of the kids at the event! Most players gave away equipment, jerseys, shoes, and I even saw a few dudes tossing away socks (myself included)! We showered up and headed over to the concert where local bands L.A.X and Bright Light Social Hour warmed the crowd up for Carolina Liar, who gave a great perofmance. I got to talk to the lead singer for awhile at the after party and he's an awesome guy. 

We headed over to 6th Loung for thr after party (Lance Armstrongs bar) and had an absolute blast. From the blue LXM Pro Carpet and step and repeat outside where players took pictures, to the great set up inside, the party was definitely a big hit with the players! 

All in all, the LXM 512 event was a good one, and I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am that the Austin Lacrosse community was so supportive and energetic at the event (and for the weeks leading up to the event)! I can't wait to come back to Austin in 2011 and make it even bigger and better!

Time to get back at it and get ready for ATL this weekend! 

Talk soon!

Kyle