In the lead up to last week's 86th All-Star Game in Cincinnati, Major League Baseball unveiled the results of its Franchise Four contest with fans voting for the four best players in the history of all 30 teams.
So on Monday, I wrote a post arguing that midfielder Del Dressel, defenseman Dave Pietramala, goalkeeper Larry Quinn and attackman Douglas Turnbull would be the foundation for Johns Hopkins' "Franchise Four." You can read more about the four players and some other players in consideration here.
Continuing this series and going in alphabetical order, here is one person's take on the Mount Rushmore of Loyola Maryland. Like the MLB model, coaches were not included, and players are listed in alphabetical order.
Defenseman Joe Fletcher (2011-14) – Finalist for the Tewaaraton Award – college lacrosse's version of the Heisman Trophy – and only the second defenseman in the award's 15-year history to be named a finalist … Winner of the William C. Schmeisser Award given to the country's outstanding defenseman in 2014 … One of the university's two multiple first-team All-Americans, in 2013 and 2014 … Third in school history in career caused turnovers with 76.
Midfielder Mark Frye (1996-99) – University's first two-time first-team All-American in 1998 and 1999 … 12th in school history in all-time goals with 93 … Greyhounds went 42-13 with Frye on the team and advanced to the NCAA tournament quarterfinals in each of his last three seasons.
Attackman Gary Hanley (1978-81) – Three-time All-American who achieved first-team status in 1981 … School record-holder in career points (311), goals (151) and assists (160) … Owner of top three single-season performances in points (89 in 1981, 86 in 1980 and 83 in 1979) and three of top four in assists (45 each in 1980 and 1979 and 42 in 1981) … Sparkplug who registered five goals and two assists in the 1981 squad's 17-14 loss to Adelphi in the NCAA Division II tournament final.
Attackman Mike Sawyer (2009, 2011-13) – University's first finalist for the Tewaaraton Award in 2012 … Three-time All American who earned second-team status in 2012 when that team captured the Division I national championship … Third in school history in career goals (128) and first in shots attempted (451) … Second in team history in goals in a single season with 52 in 2012.
Others in consideration were attackmen Tim Goettelmann, Eric Lusby and Justin Ward, midfielder Gavin Prout, long-stick midfielders Matt Dwan and P.T. Ricci and goalkeepers Tim McGeeney and Charley Toomey. Unfortunately, with only four spots available, some difficult decisions had to be made.
Agree? Disagree? Feel free to chime in with your thoughts.