MLL New York Lizards

Locascio and Esposito Join Lizards Staff

Published on April 15, 2008 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
New York Lizards News Release


The Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse are proud to announce their 2008 Coaching Staff.

Coming back for his 4th season as the Head Coach of the Lizards is MLL veteran Jim Mule. Jim took over the head coaching position in 2005 after a four successful years with the Barrage organization, two as an assistant coach and two as a player. In his first year with the Lizards, Mule upset the Boston Cannons in the semi-finals and lead the two time World Champions (2001 & 2003) back to the Championship Game in 2005.

Mule is an East Meadow native who played his college lacrosse for St. John's University. Jim played in the North-South Game his senior year and he was also a member of the U.S. Team that defeated Canada in the 1999 World Cup of Lacrosse.

Lizards President Dave Kotowski on Mule:

"Jim is the hardest working head coach in our league. You won't find someone who is as dedicated to the team and who knows all of the players in the league like Jim does. Whether it be our annual college draft or the supplemental draft, Jim is always prepared and knows his stuff. Jim is also a fierce competitor and really wants to bring Long Island its third World Championship. The additions he has made to his staff this year will help us in that goal."

For the 2008 Season the Lizards are proud to announce two key additions to the coaching staff - Sal Locascio and Todd Esposito. Locascio is a name known to everyone in the game of lacrosse and is a US Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee. Sal's biography from the Hall of Fame: Sal Locascio is one of the most dominant goalies the sport has seen. Locascio was a four-time All-American at the University of Massachusetts and played for the winning US Team in the 1990, 1994 and 1998 International Lacrosse Federation World Championships. He was named the outstanding goalie at the 1994 championships. He helped Long Island Hofstra to four United States Club Lacrosse Association (USCLA) championships, was the USCLA player of the year in 1995, was a six-time all-pro with the New York Saints of the National Lacrosse League and helped the Long Island Lizards to the inaugural Major League Lacrosse championship in 2001. Locascio also served as a head coach in both the NLL and MLL. In 2004, Locascio guided the Philadelphia Barrage as their head coach to their first-ever MLL championship. He has previously been inducted into the US Lacrosse Long Island Chapter Hall of Fame.

Head Coach Jim Mule on Locascio:

"I am very excited to have Sal as part of my staff. The last time we worked together we won the 2004 MLL Championship as coaches of the Philadelphia Barrage."

Kotowski on Locascio:

"I have known Sal for over20 years as a friend, a teammate and a coach. I played against Sal for four years while he was at UMASS, we played together on the 1989 North South team and he was my coach for both the NY Saints (NLL) and the Barrage (MLL). Having said that, I can tell you one thing about Sal - he wants to win, and he wants to win badly."

Todd Esposito joins the Lizards staff in his first stint as a coach in Major League Lacrosse. Esposito was a standout midfielder for Levittown Division in the 1980's and in 1984 he was the JUCO Player of the Year for Nassau Community College. Esposito graduated from the University Virginia where he was an All-American Midfielder. Todd played professionally for the New York Saints as well as club ball for North Hempstead, Long Island Hofstra and the New York Athletic Club. Todd is also the one of the founders of the Garden City Renegades Lacrosse program.

Mule on Esposito:

"Todd is great addition to our staff. He is known in the lacrosse world as an offensive guru both on and off the field. We will use all of his experience to help us create more offense this year."

Kotowski on Esposito:

"Todd is another individual whom I respect as both a player and a coach. Having known and played with Todd for a long time, I know how much he will add to our staff. One of the areas we really need to improve on is our offense and Todd will be a big help."

Along with their two new additions to the staff this year, the Lizards will also bring back Coaches John Espey and Matt Schomburg. Espey will continue to work with the offensive group as well as with team scouting while Schomburg will continue tow work with the best face off unit in all of Major League Lacrosse.

The Lizards open the 2008 Season at home on May 17th vs. the Rochester Rattlers at Mitchel Athletic Complex. Season tickets, group tickets and our brand new flex season tickets are on sale now.

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Major League Lacrosse Stories from April 15, 2008


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