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2nd Alumni Game: Bears Across 35 Years Come Together

Jan. 9, 2011

10/23/210 - On the eve of the Bears 35^th lacrosse season, generations of Baylor Lacrosse players came together to showcase their talents.

Waco  - The Baylor Bears Lacrosse program was formed in 1975 and began play in 1976.  Since the Bears’ humble beginnings, the program has grown from the brink of dissolutions to a competitive player in the LSA.  And now, as the Baylor Men’s Lacrosse program enters its 35^th year of play, players new and old met for the 2^nd Annual Baylor Alumni Game.

Then Alumni team saw familiar faces from the classes that helped turn the program around from almost being disbanded, to making its first playoff appearance three years later.  Michael Magee, head of the Baylor Lacrosse Alumni Association initiative, Preston Benditz, Matthew Pompa, Adam Jaster, Chris Jones, Matthew McPhetters, and Daniel Goldstien were present.  Former players that played during Baylor’s early seasons and players that help the program continue on to make it to 35 seasons were also there: Adam Little, Shawn Connally, Lance Johanson, and Mark Borchardt (who helped ref the game).  Meanwhile, as the Alumni gathered, the current Bears began to prepare for a new season.  Dawning new all black uniforms, and sporting a new logo, the young bears came out to play.

Jumping out to an early lead, the young bears played fast and quick.  They found the open man, and capitalized on man up situations.  The young team—with only two true seniors, Steven Gray (8) and Austin Pollock (30), and 16 sophomores and freshmen—out ran the alumni most of the game.  Many of Baylor’s goals came off fast breaks and unsettled situations that gave the bears and early advantage.  The alumni were able to strike back a few times but never threatened the Bears lead.  Early, at the start of the 4^th quarter, Chris Jones made three consecutive goals energizing the alumni; but Baylor put in a couple of unanswered goals to stop the alumni’s run.

The Alumni were joined by some of the new Baylor Bears because of low numbers, but there was something special about having Baylor lacrosse players from across 35 years playing together on one field.  Baylor’s program has grown thanks to dedicated players and coaches.  While Saturday marked only the second alumni game to be played, there will come a day when there is a 35^th Alumni game.

Game notes: The new practice logo is a Koala (which is technically not a bear but a marsupial) holding a lacrosse stick and a Dr Pepper bottle.  The Baylor Bears are boasting a roster of 30 players, one of the largest rosters in the team’s history.  The current players versus alumni series is even at 1-1 now.

written by Matthew V. Pompa, Baylor Alum '10