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MLL New York Lizards

For the Love of the Game: Drew Adams

December 9, 2015 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
New York Lizards News Release


Over the past several weeks, we've been giving you an inside look at our players - what they do off the field, how they feel about playing for Major League Lacrosse, why they want to see the sport of lacrosse grow and, most importantly, what they're doing to help with the expansion of the league.

Our spotlighted player this week is none other than Drew Adams, 2015 Goalie of the Year who holds claim to some of the most heart-stopping saves we've ever seen. Off the field, though, Drew continues his work in lacrosse but from a different perspective. He works as the marketing manager for Performance Sports Group, Ltd. - a marketing entity that owns big lacrosse brands such as Maverick Lacrosse, Cascade Helmets, and Bauer.

On the spectrum of lacrosse athletes, Drew is now considered a veteran with seven seasons already in the books. With the 2016 season quickly approaching, we had a chat with Drew to discuss his life off the field, why and how he's growing the game, and why he's not ready to hang up his cleats just yet.

Q: Can you tell us a little about where you grew up?

DA: I grew up in Springfield Pennsylvania, a suburb 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia. It is a hardworking and close community.

Q: Aside from lacrosse, did you play any other organized sports growing up? And why did you ultimately choose lacrosse as the one you wanted to pursue?

DA: Yes, growing up I played a lot of sports, mainly soccer and baseball. I ultimately chose lacrosse based on the influence of my friends. I am glad I was a multi-sport athlete growing up, and know being one helped me become a better lacrosse player.

Q: Why did you choose to become a goalie?

DA: I played 5 years of lacrosse before playing goalie for the first time. I had always been drawn to the position, but the opportunity to try it didn't present itself until our goalie at the time had an injury. No one else showed an interest in taking over so I stepped in and never looked back.

Q: MLL is a league in which players play mostly for the love of the game. How does this speak to the passion players have for lacrosse?

DA: We are all fortunate to compete at the highest level of our sport. Competition like that is hard to find in everyday life, so we thrive on the opportunity and thus are very passionate about it. There is always a point made about our salaries or lack thereof. Our gameday salaries are only a small part of what players are making professionally. Many players are becoming successful businessmen, coaches, and entrepreneurs both in and out of the lacrosse world.

Q: Outside of playing for the Lizards, what other jobs do you work?

DA: I work for Performance Sports Group in New York City. PSG is comprised of multiple brands in several different sports, and I work for the Maverik and Cascade Lacrosse brands specifically. I started at Maverik in 2010 before we were part of the bigger company. I am also a partner in two goalie specific training companies, Net Nation and Next Save Lacrosse, which host camps and clinics throughout the country.

Q: You work on a more corporate level of lacrosse than most other players. Has this changed the way you look at the game? If so, how?

DA: Yes. I get to see the sport from a different perspective. There is a big business behind the action on the field, as there is with all sports.

Q: Do you feel that you offer a different perspective to Performance Sports Group Ltd. because you're also one of their sponsored athletes?

DA: Yes to a certain extent. I do not fall into our target demographic and my personal opinions are not always reflective as to what is best for business. Being as immersed in the sport as I am does allow me to have a finger on what is going on in the lacrosse community outside of the office.

Q: You also participate in a many camps/clinics. How difficult is it to coach, have a full time job and still have to train as a professional athlete?

DA: It's challenging but it is part of what makes doing what I do so enjoyable. Working, playing, and coaching in the lacrosse world all revolve around the same subject but are all different, so nothing feels monotonous. They each give me an opportunity to challenge myself in a different way.

Q: Can you take us through your typical weekly schedule while in season?

DA: Monday-Friday I am working in NYC if I am not traveling for a camp. Being an in-market player allows me to make our team practice which is held on either Wednesday or Friday depending on where the game is. During the week I will get Physical Therapy during the morning if I need it, and work out in the evening, assuming that I am home. If I am traveling for a camp it makes maintenance and training much harder.

Q: How important is growing the sport to you and how do you believe you are helping this?

DA: What many people don't seem to consider is how small lacrosse participation still is compared to more traditional sports. We see the annual reports on growth, which from a percentage perspective is outpacing the category, but the starting size is still much smaller than say that of soccer or football.

What lacrosse needs right now is to break some of its stereotypes and become more accessible and desirable to kids of all backgrounds. Players in the MLL, including myself, are trying to create an image of what a lacrosse player, especially one on the professional level, is, and that is much different than what someone outside of the lacrosse community with a preconceived notion might imagine.

Q: What is your favorite and least favorite part about playing in the league?

DA: The best part is getting to compete with your teammates and represent your organization and staff. The worst part is the travel. No matter where you are coming from guys are sacrificing a lot of time traveling to be together.

Q: 2016 is going to be your 8th season in the league and with the same team. The thought of retirement for you after the Championship was on a lot of people's minds. What keeps you coming back every year?

DA: From my teammates, to our organization, to the fans, I really just enjoy spending time with and around everyone. I don't want to look back later in life and feel like I let this chapter close too quickly. I have a supportive wife and family who want me to play for as long as I am able.

To learn more about Drew's winter clinics, click HERE. For his summer clinics, click HERE.

Drew will be back in 2016 with the rest of the Lizards to defend their 2015 World Title. Be there for the action!

Season tickets are now available and can be purchased by calling 1-855-NYLizards. Individual game tickets coming soon.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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