Sports stats



MLL New York Lizards

For the Love of the Game: Mike Skudin

January 7, 2016 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
New York Lizards News Release


Professional athletes are regularly served with all kinds of respect for their talent - the skill they display on the field, and the way they win or lose. But most important and least commonly pointed out is the kind of person they are off the field - what else can be said about them aside from statistics and awards.

Mike Skudin, New York Lizards Defenseman, has donned the team's green and black since his career inception in 2012 when we were still the "Long Island Lizards." Over that time, he's put up four goals, 3 assists and 55 groundballs in 40 games - impressive numbers for a defensive guy.

What stood out to us most, though, is that like many rising lacrosse athletes, he was a multi-sport guy. Football, baseball, soccer. You name it, he played it. But why did he ultimately choose lacrosse? Because it was the most fun. That passion has worked out well for Mike through his successful run in New York and it is exactly that kind of passion that helps this game grow.

See the full conversation with Mike, below:

Q: Did you play any other organized sports growing up? Why did you ultimately choose to pursue lacrosse?

MS: Growing up I played every sport. Football, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and I was a swimmer. I chose lacrosse because I had the most fun playing it. I really enjoyed the game.

Q: You played lacrosse at Hofstra University. As a college lacrosse athlete, what was your motivation to continue pursuing the sport?

MS: I never really thought about it. I knew it was a possibility but I wasn't drafted out of college. I wasn't drafted until the summer after my first year out of college. I got a chance from Coach Spallina to come to camp, so I said why not and gave it a go.

Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals before taking the field?

MS: Nothing exciting. Home games I eat at a local spot called Brands Deli. Best sandwich in Long Beach. I also make sure I shower right before every game.

Q: Did you idolize any specific professional athlete as a child? Why?

MS: I was a big fan of Chad Pennington. I'm a huge Jets fan. "We play to win the Game."

Q: What is it like to be a defenseman for the biggest market in lacrosse?

MS: It's exciting. Playing with the best every day like Fletcher, Holmes, Hartzell and Spallina is pretty awesome. Also having Drew Adams is nice. He's a decent goalie ha.

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

MS: Every player that plays in the MLL does it for the love of the game. Our salaries un-like other big time pro sports have little to do with why we play. I play because it's awesome suiting up and going out there every weekend playing with the best in the world.

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

MS: I am a full time Physical Education and Health teacher at Long Beach Recreational Catholic School. I teach kids from pre-k to 8th grade. I am also the head varsity coach for the Hicksville Boy's Varsity Lacrosse team. In the summer, while playing for the Lizards I am also a lifeguard for the City of Long Beach.

Q: How difficult is it to teach during the week and still have to train as a professional athlete?

MS: It's definitely tough but manageable. I'm also finishing up my masters at Adelphi University so the little time I have to train I have to take advantage of. Running around with the kindergarten kids is also a workout.

Q: You help run a Surf/Lacrosse camp during the summer. How did this come about?

MS: Yes I run a surf/lacrosse camp called Skudin Surf and Lax.  I started it last year with my cousins who run Skudin Surf Camps. My cousins, Will and Cliff, are professional big wave surfers, and Will is currently ranked on the world tour for big waves. We said why not combine the two things kids love to do - lax and surf. I had DeNapoli and Gibson with me for the camp. We played lacrosse in the morning and surfed all afternoon. DeNapoli was a natural in the water.

Q: You are one of many Lizards team members born and raised in Long Island. What does it mean to you to play here?

MS: It's pretty awesome and I consider myself lucky. My family gets to come watch every home game.

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

MS: My weekly schedule: Work on the beach from 9-6 Monday through Friday. Practice Thursday nights with the team and either travel or have a walk through with the team on Fridays. After the game, I usually get home on Sundays and have to go to work on the beach.

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

MS: I believe its very important to grow the sport so more people hear and learn about it. If we want it to become as big as any other professional sport, we have to get out to the fans and also the people who have no knowledge about it. As a league the players are doing a great job promoting it. Social media is huge for spreading it.

Q: You and many of your MLL colleagues are, in theory, the first generation of professional lacrosse players to be able to pass down your knowledge of lacrosse to young athletes. What does this say about the next generation of MLL players and the future of lacrosse?

MS: I think the future is very bright. With all of the kids playing in almost every state it's pretty amazing. I can't wait to see where it goes.

Q: Last, what would you say is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

MS: My favorite thing to do in my free time is probably just hang out in Long Beach. It's an amazing place with a lot of things to do. Can't beat living two minutes from the beach.

Mike will take the field at Hofstra University on April 23rd with the rest of the Lizards in a Championship rematch against the Rochester Rattlers. Don't miss a moment of the action! Single-game tickets go on sale January 20th.

Check out the New York Lizards Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Lacrosse message board...

Major League Lacrosse Stories from January 7, 2016


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.

Other Recent New York Lizards Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central