Outlaws Draft Picks out of Army, Are Approved to Play this Season
July 10, 2020 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Denver Outlaws News Release
Denver, CO - In the eleventh hour, The Denver Outlaws secured a crucial win on their quest for a fourth Major League Lacrosse championship when it was announced that rookies Thomas Rigney and Miles Silva received approval from the US Army to play in the upcoming MLL season, set to begin on July 18th.
Rigney and Silva are both graduates of West Point Military Academy, where they played on the powerhouse lacrosse team.ÃÂ Following a senior season, cut-short because of the pandemic, the two service-members were picked up by the Denver Outlaws, Rigney with the fifth pick and Silva with the fourth-seventh.
However, despite being selected in the draft, the two were not guaranteed to be permitted to play. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the adjustment to the MLL schedule, the rookies underwent a lengthy process for approval to play in Major League Lacrosse's 20thÃÂ Anniversary Season. After it was determined that their time on field would not conflict with military obligations, the green-light has been given to Rigney and Silva and the Denver Outlaws have added key-components to their roster.
When Thomas Rigney's senior season was lost to the virus, he longed to continue playing the sport he loved. That desire led him to put his name in the draft, where he was picked up early by the Outlaws.ÃÂ "I wasn't ready to be done," Rigney said. "I'm excited to have another opportunity to play, and now at the highest level. I greatly appreciate the permission and support from my leadership in the Army. At this point, I just can't wait to get on the field and help the Outlaws secure their fourth Championship."
Silva, who was picked up by the Outlaws late in the draft, is the latest in a lineage of West Point athletes. His parents both played sports while attending the school, and Silva was raised with a love of both the academy and lacrosse.ÃÂ Silva saw little playing time in his underclassman years at the school, but after a breakout season his junior year, where the Army team set a program record with 13 wins and the Patriot League Title, Silva's horizons expanded, and a professional career manifested into reality.
"It was a life-long dream to play for the West Point team," Silva said. "I'm incredibly proud of what our team accomplished and grateful to have been a part of it. Now, I'm looking forward to the next challenge that awaits us in Annapolis with the Outlaws."
Rigney and Silva will be lacing up in Annapolis later this month, when the Outlaws travel to compete in the 20th Anniversary Major League Lacrosse season, which will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 10, 2020
- Outlaws Draft Picks out of Army, Are Approved to Play this Season - Denver Outlaws
- 2020 MLL TV Schedule Set - MLL
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