David Huntley Man of the Year Award Nominees Announced
September 25, 2019 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
Boston, MA - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) today announced the nominees for the second annual David Huntley Man of the Year Award presented by Corum. The award, named in honor of former MLL coach David Huntley who passed away in December 2017, is given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, professionalism, and service to his community. The award is voted on by members of coach Huntley's family, Commissioner Sandy Brown, select MLL alumni, and members of the media.
Huntley, a Toronto native and three-time All-American at John Hopkins, spent eight seasons coaching in MLL for the Toronto Nationals, Hamilton Nationals, Chesapeake Bayhawks and Atlanta Blaze. He won the MLL Championship in 2009 with the Toronto Nationals in his first year with the team. He was recognized for his playing career as he was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2011.
The effect that Coach Huntley had on the game of lacrosse, the community and the people around him remains invaluable and one of the many who felt his impact was Chesapeake Bayhawks coach, Dave Cottle. Huntley served as an assistant coach to Cottle for the Bayhawks in 2015 and worked alongside him long before their time together in MLL. "David Huntley was my first graduate assistant at Loyola College with his college teammate Steve Wey," said Cottle. "He was an incredible man to be around who just cared so much about the players. Those impromptu coaches' meetings were some of the funniest moments of my life and till David's death we continued to meet for lunch even though at times we were competitors."
This year's nominees have been selected by the leadership of their respective teams. They have each gone above and beyond to serve their communities, their teams, the league and the game. Major League Lacrosse is grateful for the dedication and service of each of the 2019 David Huntley Man of the Year nominees.
Nominees
Shayne Jackson, Atlanta Blaze
Nick Marrocco, Boston Cannons
Steele Stanwick, Chesapeake Bayhawks
Jacques Monte, Dallas Rattlers
Matt Bocklet, Denver Outlaws
Kevin Crowley, New York LizardsÂ
Shayne Jackson is the nominee from the Atlanta Blaze as he is recognized for his leadership and contributions to his team, the league and the community. Jackson has worked throughout the season within the Atlanta youth lacrosse community. In addition to all he does with the Atlanta Blaze, he has dedicated himself to the Pace Academy lacrosse program, Thunder LB3 Lacrosse, and playing for NLL's Georgia Swarm. He is passionate about helping the next generation of players improve their lacrosse skills while becoming better people. Jackson has been a stable steady leader for the Blaze in their most successful season throughout their history.
Co-captain for the Boston Cannons, Nick Marrocco, is the Cannon's nominee for the Huntley award as he consistently made contributions towards improving the community around him. Marrocco led many of the community initiatives throughout the season as he was the Cannon's spokesman for the Annual "Cannons Fighting Cancer" initiative which raised over one hundred thousand dollars to support Boston Children's Hospital. He also participated in the Cap Walk 2019 Fashion Show in September which was in support of The Verma Foundation.
The captain of the Chesapeake Bayhawks, Steele Stanwick, has been selected as the Bayhawks' nominee for the Huntley award. Stanwick is committed to the community and game of lacrosse as he remains heavily involved with the Bayhawks' community outreach initiatives including an appearance to Baltimore City Elementary School and holding the position of assistant coach for John Hopkins University Women's Lacrosse Team. He has also been cited as having an outstanding positive attitude and makes sure to set the example of professional, respect and integrity for his teammates and everyone around him.
The Rattlers' nominee for the David Huntley Man of the Year Award is their assistant coach, Jacques Monte, for his long-tenured contributions to the lacrosse community. Dedicated to growing the game, Monte traveled to Texas in order to build the first junior Rattlers lacrosse teams with the intention of growing the game of lacrosse. With a total of 42 years of coaching MLL, college and high school lacrosse and being a member of the Greater Rochester Chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Monte has shown a high level of commitment to helping the sport of lacrosse and its community.
Matt Bocklet is the Denver Outlaws' nominee for the Huntley award as he continues to impact the lacrosse and Denver communities. As a player, Bocklet captained all three of the Outlaws' Championship teams. Now as an assistant coach, he is also working as a spearhead to grow the game of lacrosse at the youth level. Bocklet works as Manager of Outlaws Academy, growing both boys and girls lacrosse in CO. He has served as head coach for Highlands Ranch High and more recently, Cherry Creek High. He has organized camps featuring fellow MLL players and organized one of Colorado's most competitive youth lacrosse tournaments.
The Stony Brook alum, Kevin Crowley, is New York Lizards' nominee for the David Huntley Man of the Year Award for his contributions to his team, the game of lacrosse and his community. Crowley works with the Lizards to host lacrosse clinics for kids and runs a youth travel program in Philadelphia. In MLL's offseason Crowley competes with the NLL's Philadelphia Wings, and engages in additional outreach through their organization. The Lizards are proud to nominate Crowley due to his engagement in the lacrosse community and his leadership to the team, always maintaining a positive attitude and on and off the field.
The winner of the David Huntley Man of the Year Award, presented by Corum, will be announced live during the broadcast of MLL Honors, beginning at 9:30 EDT (7:30 MDT). MLL Honors presented by New Balance will take place at Union Station in Denver, CO., on October 5. The event will be hosted by Alexis Perry and streamed live on MajorLeagueLacrosse.com. The MLL Honors presented by New Balance falls between the MLL Semifinals, set to be held October 4 at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on the campus of the University of Denver, and the MLL Championship Game, set for October 6 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO. The MLL Semifinal and Championship games will be nationally. The Semifinals will be broadcast on ESPNews and the Championship will air on ESPN2.
Tickets are currently available on majorleaguelacrosse.com.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from September 25, 2019
- Pannell, Costabile, and Sconone Named Players of the Week - MLL
- David Huntley Man of the Year Award Nominees Announced - MLL
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