Chesapeake Bayhawks All-Star Spotlight: Nick Manis
July 27, 2019 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
Earlier this week, on July 23rd, it was announced that Nick Manis would participate in the 2019 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game. That news brought smiles to the faces of everyone associated with the Chesapeake Bayhawks.
In three seasons with the organization, Manis has become a favorite of fans, teammates, coaches and front office personnel. He is respected by the other Bayhawks for his selfless attitude and humble demeanor. He is appreciated by the coaching staff because of his tireless work ethic and unflinching playing style. When engaging with fans, Nick Manis will always take his time, Sharpie in hand, to make sure every young, starstruck fan is able to receive an autograph after the game.
"I'm really happy to see Nick Manis get a chance to play in the All-Star Game because he cares so much and is such a great teammate," Chesapeake Bayhawks Head Coach Dave Cottle said.
Manis became the eleventh member of the Bayhawks invited to the MLL All-Star Game after being tabbed as an injury replacement for the Denver Outlaws' Mikie Schlosser. This means Manis will make his All-Star debut on Saturday night in his hometown - at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium as this year's edition of the annual professional lacrosse showcase is hosted at the Bayhawks' home stadium.
"I'm definitely excited for the opportunity to play in the All-Star Game here in my hometown of Annapolis," Manis told the Capital Gazette newspaper this week. "To be able to represent the Bayhawks and the entire league on Saturday night will be really special. This is a great reward for all the hard work I've put in over the years."
Earning All-Star status is a major milestone for Manis, who had not seriously contemplated playing professional lacrosse until he was selected by Chesapeake in the eighth round of the 2017 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft. When drafted 66th overall by Cottle, acting as General Manager, and then-Head Coach Brian Reese, the Annapolis native became thrilled that he would be able to compete as a member of his hometown team.
Manis will never forget the first time he suited up for game action, against the Florida Launch on July 20th, 2017.
"That was definitely one of the coolest moments of my lacrosse career, for sure," Manis said. "I'd like to thank the Bayhawks and especially Dave Cottle for drafting me and giving me the opportunity to play pro lacrosse. I also want to thank Brian Reese for being the first coach to give me an opportunity on the field."
In his debut, Manis scooped up one groundball. The short stick midfielder only appeared in four games as a rookie, but that was enough to instill confidence that he could succeed at the professional level.
"I played with and against a lot of great players while I was in college so I knew I could compete in the MLL, but it wasn't until I actually got on the field for a game that it really hit me that I was playing in the league I grew up watching," Manis said.
Manis improved his game heading into his 2018 season, establishing himself as a mainstay in Major League Lacrosse. Over 14 games last season, Manis recorded nine caused turnovers along with seven groundballs. Manis also displayed solid coverage skills.
"Nick Manis is as tough and competitive as any player we've ever had," said Cottle, who has been in the Bayhawks organization since 2010. "Nick is the consummate professional who knows his role and is very much prepared."
Manis is a unique player within Major League Lacrosse, switching back-and-forth between short stick defensive midfield and close defense. Often, particularly in man-down situations, the versatile 25-year old will adopt a long pole to guard the crease.
"Nick is willing to do whatever is asked. He relishes the role of defending the best midfielders with a short stick up top and thrives on the challenge of covering the top attackman down low," Chesapeake Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator Bob Shillinglaw said. "Nick does a great job with one-on-one coverage and is outstanding in terms of communication. We don't have any problem with putting him anywhere on the field."
Shillinglaw, who began coaching with the Bayhawks following his retirement from a Hall of Fame head coaching career with the University of Delaware, has shown great faith in Manis. In his second season with the Bayhawks, Shillinglaw has seen first-hand that Manis is a standup performer.
"Nick has been an absolute pleasure to coach. He has laser focus and is just a real warrior out on the field," Shillinglaw said. "I've been so impressed with Nick for so many reasons. He's the type of guy others look up to in the locker room because he says and does all the right things. He's the type of guy that makes others want to play harder."
Manis enjoyed a solid career as a short stick defensive midfielder at the University of Maryland, appearing in 60 career games. The Severn School graduate sat out the entire 2015 season with an injury and seriously considered calling it a career after a successful 2016 campaign. He was on pace to graduate with his classmates and felt it was time to move into the next phase of life.
Nick Manis Sr. helped convince his son to play lacrosse as a fifth-year senior, knowing he would one day regret not doing so.
"Going into my fifth year I was contemplating not playing anymore. I had a conversation with my dad and he told me 'Look, you'll never get this opportunity again.' In the nicest way possible, he called me an idiot if I did decide to hang up the stick," the younger Manis said. "I'm really glad I took that advice because I would have missed being part of history with a national championship team."
Manis served as a team captain for the 2017 Maryland Terrapins squad that captured the program's first NCAA DI National Championship since 1975. It was a much-anticipated moment for all the former players that suffered through the 42-year drought, including Nick Manis Sr. who played for the Terps from 1977 to 1980.
Had Nick Manis Jr. not played for Maryland as a fifth-year senior, he probably would not have been drafted by the Bayhawks.
"Nick thought his playing career was over after the national championship game. So, it was really exciting when he got the call from the Bayhawks saying they had drafted him," the elder Manis said. "It's nice because not only does he get to play lacrosse in his hometown, but he is also doing a lot on behalf of the Bayhawks in the community. I know Nick is really happy about being able to give back to the community that has given so much to him."
Indeed, Manis joins goalie Brian Phipps and attackman Steele Stanwick as a few of the Bayhawks' most visible players participating in the organization's outreach efforts.
"Nick is very loyal to the Bayhawks because they have been loyal to him. It's been a great joy for Nick to be able to play pro lacrosse in his hometown," Nick Manis Sr. said.
Manis Jr. believes it's important to follow the lead of Owner Brendan Kelly, who is committed to making the Chesapeake Bayhawks a leader in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County and beyond through community engagement.
"I really appreciate the leadership of Brendan Kelly, who is the best owner in Major League Lacrosse. What he does for our team, all the players and the community is pretty much unmatched," Manis said.
Manis works full-time for CapX Solutions, LLC, a Bethesda-based company owned by his uncle. Manis works out of an Annapolis office and is constantly on the road as a sales representative for the enterprise.
"I've found something I enjoy that is fun and gives me the flexibility to play pro lacrosse," he said. "I love that I've been able to use the connections I've made through lacrosse to help grow that business."
Manis learned quickly that a Major League Lacrosse player must take responsibility for training, conditioning and practicing on their own in order to perform at the highest level. He works out almost daily in Annapolis to make sure he can compete against the league's caliber of athlete.
"Nick's probably in better shape now than he was in college. He really gets after it in terms of lifting and conditioning," Nick Manis Sr. said.
The younger Manis called Ryan Morrissey, his athletic trainer and longtime friend, an "incredible resource in helping me stay in tip-top shape."
"I definitely feel like I'm a better player than ever before and a lot of that has to do with weight training and conditioning," Manis said. "Also, the confidence of having been in the league and proven that I can play at this level. Just knowing that you have played against the best and held your own is a real confidence boost."
Now firmly established as a Major League Lacrosse veteran and earning special recognition as an All-Star, Manis yearns for his professional career to continue for many more years to come.
"It's been an awesome ride so far and I hope it doesn't end any time soon. I love lacrosse, I love Annapolis and I love the Bayhawks - so I've got the perfect scenario," he said. "The Bayhawks make it pretty easy with the culture that has been established here and the coaching staff that's in place. It's easier to succeed when you're surrounded by people who are competitive and like-minded and all have the same goal of creating a championship club."
The Chesapeake Bayhawks are excited for Nick Manis' All-Star debut as they host the 2019 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game. Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking HERE.
Prior to the game, Major League Lacrosse will be hosting a clinic in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium with some of the league's players. Joining the mix of instructors will be three-time All-Star and Bayhawks goalie, Brian Phipps. To register, please visit the link HERE.
The game will be broadcast live from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD on July 27th at 7:00 PM on ESPN2.
The Bayhawks' next home game is scheduled for August 3rd at 7:00 PM EST. Chesapeake will rematch against the New York Lizards for their Super Powers Night which will celebrate adaptive athletes. A portion of the money raised from ticket purchases will be donated to organizations that support special needs athletes. Please visit thebayhawks.com/tickets to purchase tickets, or contact the Chesapeake Bayhawks Ticket Office at 866-99-HAWKS or at sales@thebayhawks.com.
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