Pride Add Former Inspector General of the Department of State to Pre-Season Roster
Published on March 24, 2008 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
New Jersey Pride News Release
The New Jersey Pride, New Jersey's only professional lacrosse team, announced today that they have claimed Howard Krongard from the league's Player Pool. Krongard is a 1961 graduate of Princeton University and becomes the oldest player in league history tryout for a team.
"Cookie," as Krongard was nicknamed, played on Princeton's undefeated Ivy League Championship teams from 1959-1961 and earned First Team All-American honors in 1961. He was also a First Team All-Ivy selection his last two years at Princeton.
Most recently he served as Inspector General of the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
"Lacrosse has been a big part of my life," said Krongard. "I got my first stick more than 60 years ago. I have been thrilled to see lacrosse grow, I would like to see the MLL prosper, and I would like to be a part of it. Naturally there has been a nagging question for me: could I still play at that level? I was able to time my retirement from public service to try to answer that question, and I am grateful to the New Jersey Pride for giving me the opportunity. Having gone to college in NJ (Princeton) and lived in Montclair for 35 years, I would be proud to be part of the Pride."
Krongard's distinguished lacrosse career started at Baltimore City College, where his goaltending led the school to championships in 1956 and 1959. Following his Princeton career, he joined the post-collegiate lacrosse scene by playing with the Boston Club in 1962 and continued with four other teams, including seven years with the New York Club. In 1964-65 he played goal for Cambridge University in England, winners of the English Universities Championship. He was voted to the USCLA All-Star Team eight times, and in both 1968 and 1974 was selected as the USCLA Player of the Year.
"It is not often that you have a member of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame trying out for your franchise," said Pride General Manager Trey Reeder. "We only carry two goalies during the season, and with (returners) Rob Scherr and Matt Baran both earning Goalie of the Week honors in 2007, he is going to have his work cut out for him in trying to crack the roster."
"I certainly recognize this will be a long shot," added Krongard. "I have not played a real season in many years and not at this level. The hardest things for me to adjust to will be the velocity all these guys shoot with and the continuous pressure the shot clock produces. I bring no preconceived notions that I will make the team, but I intend to give it the best shot I can. At the very least, I will get myself into good shape."
The Pride open their 2008 training camp on Sunday, April 27. The pre-season roster carries 35 players and will be reduced to 23 by the team's May 17 season opener at Boston.
"We will make sure that he sees plenty of shots during training camp," said Pride Head Coach Peter Jacobs. "If someone is willing to stick their neck out and give 100% during our training camp, that is all I can ask for. He will be given the same opportunity that everyone else is getting."
The game has certainly evolved since the 1970's. Among the many changes is the speed at which the shots come at the goalies, leaving many of the top net-minders with large bruises all over their bodies from a typical practice. Krongard added "as I told my friend and possible teammate Jesse Hubbard (one of the hardest shooters in the game), if I get hit by a shot like his, at least I will be the only player in the League with Medicare!"
The New Jersey Pride play their home games at Yurcak Lacrosse/Soccer Stadium on the Campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ. They open their 2008 home schedule on Friday, June 6 against the Boston Cannons. Season Tickets are currently on sale starting at $70, and can be purchased by calling 973-614-1792. For more information, visit the team's website at www.newjerseypride.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from March 24, 2008
- Pride Add Former Inspector General of the Department of State to Pre-Season Roster - New Jersey Pride
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