New Thunder for Anaheim Storm
January 30, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Anaheim Storm News Release
Anaheim, CA (January 30, 2004) â The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Anaheim Storm announced today they have hired Pat McCabe as the team's new head coach. McCabe will be assisted by Kevin Finneran who has made a name for himself as a player in the NLL. Current team captain, Stephen Sombrotto, will move into the role of General Manager.
"We recognize that a team is not just about the players on the field but also the staff on the bench," said Storm President and Governor Chip Santye. "We are very excited to welcome McCabe and Finneran, two gentlemen we believe will help us put a winning team on the turf. Additionally, we feel that Sombrotto will do an excellent job as General Manager. He has been a strong leader on the team and the players respect him."
McCabe, a New York native and Syracuse graduate, is known in the sport as both a player and as a coach. Currently the Defensive Coach at C.W. Post College, Long Island University, he was head coach of the New York Saints last season. He believes in teaching the fundamentals of the game and defining clear roles and responsibilities for each player.
"I believe the Storm is a talented team," said McCabe. "I like the names on the roster, the personalities on the field and the statistics on paper. Those players who I do not know, I look forward to meeting and getting to know. My hope is to have a smooth transition and my goal, like any coach, is to have a winning record."
A four-time NCAA All-American, and former Saints player and Team Captain, McCabe is currently Captain of the Major Lacrosse League's Long Island Lizards with whom he has won two Championships (2001, 2003). Additional achievements during his thirteen-year career as a professional player include the 1998 World Championship and founding Shooting Star Lacrosse Camps, LLC.
Joining McCabe as Assistant Coach, is Long Island Lizard teammate, Finneran. This is Finneran's first coaching job in the league where he has won five Championships, four with the Philadelphia Wings and, most recently, last season with the Toronto Rock. He retired from playing in December 2003, after thirteen years in the professional indoor league. Finneran holds the NLL record for the most consecutive games played, 162, and is fifth in the league for all-time scoring. He was also Captain of the 2003 US World Indoor Team which won the Bronze medal.
McCabe and Finneran will meet the players and hold their first team practice this weekend in New Jersey. In addition to watching the players at practice, they plan to evaluate the first three games in an effort to identify strengths and weaknesses that exist.
Moving into the role of General Manager, Storm forward and Team Captain, Sombrotto will retire after thirteen years in the NLL. Sombrotto joined the New York Saints in 1992, the same year as McCabe, and stayed with the team until the New Jersey Storm was founded in 2001. This season, his third with the Storm, he has been on the Injured Reserve list with a broken wrist. In addition to the NLL, Sombrotto is also a member of the MLL Championship Long Island Lizards. His duties as General Manager will include player development, trades and drafts.
McCabe and Finneran replace Head Coach Peter Vipond and Assistant Coach Jeff Dowling respectively. Former General Manager, Jim Brady, will be retained as the Director of Player Personnel â Canada.
The Anaheim Storm (0-3) face the Calgary Roughnecks on Sunday, February 8th, at 5:30 PM. Individual tickets start at just $8 and are available now at ticketmaster.com, the Arrowhead Pond Box Office, by-phone at 714-740-2000 and at all Ticketmaster outlets. To order Season Ticket Packages or Group Discount Tickets, call 714-704-2670
For more information, visit www.anaheimstorm.com or call (714) 704-2934.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 30, 2004
- New Thunder for Anaheim Storm - Anaheim Storm
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