For club lacrosse, “It’s all about the flow.”
Flow is defined as the style and essence of a ‘lacrosse bro,’ referring to the long, wavy or curly hair sported by lacrosse players, which peeks out from the back of their helmets or baseball hats. This hairstyle allows players to have a flow or be flowin’ and is essential to the image and game of any ‘true lax bro.’
“I make sure everyone is flowing and looks good,” said Sean McDonnell, captain and president of the DePaul Men’s Lacrosse Club. “Lacrosse is 50% winning, 25% having fun and 25% looking good.”
In addition to keeping everyone’s flow in check and organizing the team’s social events, McDonnell arranges practices and games, books hotels for away games and works with the Athletic Department, ensuring they are in code with school requirements and able to receive funding.
“The school has given us a decent amount of funding. We got a grant for about $4,000,” said Dan O’Connell, defense.
A large portion of the team’s dues and funding goes toward renting space for games and practices, which is difficult and expensive due to the lack of fields owned by DePaul and availability of fields in the Chicagoland area. Without a home playing field, developing a fan base can be difficult.
“If we were allowed to play on Wish Field, we would have a fan base,” said Charlie Witte, midfielder. “Eventually we want the school to let us put up nets behind the goals and play [on Wish Field].”
Currently half way through their season, the team has a record of 3-2, and is ranked third in the Northeast division of the Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference, Division II.
“[Wheaton College] is our biggest rivalry. We’ve played them for the past three years and never beaten them. It’s always been our goal to play well against them,” said Coach Mike Beverstock.
“Wheaton College is a dry school, so they outrun us, but we have more talent. It’s frustrating to lose to a team with less talent than us,” said McDonell.
The team, established in 2005, has asked alumni players to stay on and coach as a way of staying within their budget. Recent graduates, Beverstock and Coach Tim Currier both offered to help out until the team can hire a coach next year.
Despite the close age difference between players and coaches, Beverstock has not run into any problems. “Everyone knows we’re just here to help,” said Beverstock.
“From a coaching standpoint, we want everyone to develop as much as possible. Everyone needs to develop so that, as a team, we can play well. When you win you have fun. We don’t want to walk away from games feeling like crap,” said Beverstock.
With the season winding down, playoffs and nationals are on the team’s mind. “We’ve never been to playoffs so that’s a goal,” said McDonnell. “Nationals are definitely a possibility,” he added
In his last season with the team, McDonnell’s goals extend beyond winning. “I want to leave the team in better shape than I received it in. And I want everyone to leave the team a baller,” said McDonnell, explaining, “They come in as boys, turn into ‘bros’ and leave ballers.”
The DePaul Men’s Lacrosse Club will play their final games on April 23rd at 7 p.m. at Wheaton College and April 25th at 2 p.m. versus Saint Louis University at Diversey Harbor.
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