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Article_Boys' Lacrosse added to line-up at St. Brendan High

Sports | Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Boys' Lacrosse added to line-up at St. Brendan High

MIAMI | On the eve of its 40th anniversary, St. Brendan High School has added boys' lacrosse to its sports offerings.

Doug Shanahan, a former professional player, was hired this summer to be the lacrosse program director.

St. Brendan's lacross coach, Doug Shanahan, played for the Major Lacrosse League’s Long Island Lizards and was the winner of the First Tewaaraton Award, given annually to the most outstanding American lacrosse player.

Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO

St. Brendan's lacross coach, Doug Shanahan, played for the Major Lacrosse League’s Long Island Lizards and was the winner of the First Tewaaraton Award, given annually to the most outstanding American lacrosse player.

“My goal for this season is to build a foundation of success for the coming years and to win games by building on team work and chemistry," Shanahan said. "I am also very excited to have been given the opportunity to build the program from the ground up.”

Along with his coaching duties, Shanahan teaches physical education and is St. Brendan’s strength and conditioning coach for all the student-athletes. He played lacrosse at Hofstra University and after graduation continued his career playing for the Major Lacrosse League’s Long Island Lizards.

Shanahan was the winner of the First Tewaaraton Award in 2001, an award given annually to the most outstanding American lacrosse player. His other accolades include being the 2010 USL coach of the year and the Miami Herald’s coach of the year in 2012.

"We are always looking to expand our athletic program so that we can offer as much variety to our student-athletes as possible," said St. Brendan's athletic director, Julio Arnaiz. "Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States right now and it just seemed like the perfect moment to add this as a new sport to our portfolio.”

After announcing the new team in the spring of 2014, the sign-up sheet filled with names almost immediately.

Junior Gaby Cardona, both excited and nervous, said, “I wanted to try something new and to be part of the new sport at St. Brendan High School.  Conditioning practices have been tough but they have also been fun and exciting.”

Junior Carlos Clavijo is a first time player also who says he had no idea what to expect. “Coach has taught us the rules and plays to ensure that we have a successful season. Knowing what it takes to be a great lacrosse player, he expects us to try our hardest.”

The St. Brendan lacrosse team will begin its 17-game season by participating in Pope John Paul II High School’s Pre-Season Lacrosse Tournament in Boca Raton. The team's first home game is set for Feb. 24.

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