MINNEAPOLIS (May 27, 2022) - Epoch Lacrosse is proud to announce that Legendary and Hall of Fame player John Grant Jr. has joined Epoch Lacrosse as a Sr. Advisor. John will be responsible for building brand awareness domestically and internationally with a special focus on box lacrosse in Canada. In addition, Jr will work closely with Epoch’s product development team creating the next generation of technologically advanced box and field equipment. Further, Jr will work to drive awareness to Epoch events such as the North American Showcase to be held on July 27-29 showcasing some of the best players in the country.
Grant Jr will be highly engaged with the Epoch sales process as he works to increase distribution in Canada and with local club teams here in the US. “We are very excited for Jr to support our sales efforts in Canada. We are highly focused on making best in class box and field equipment and having Jr put his stamp of approval on it is validation,” said Geoff Dell, Director of Sales at Epoch.
As a player, Grant, Jr. ranks as one of the most accomplished in college, professional and international history. He helped guide the University of Delaware to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 1999, when he earned the Turnbull Award as the nation’s top attackman and the Enners Award as the nation’s most outstanding player. The first USILA First Team All-American in Delaware history, he totaled 96 goals and 81 assists in two seasons with the Blue Hens and set a UD record that still stands today with 110 points as a senior.
In 17 seasons with the NLL, Grant Jr. rang up 668 goals and 778 assists for 1,446 points in the regular season and added 60 goals and 51 assists for 111 points in 20 playoff games. He guided the Rochester Knighthawks to the 2007 NLL title en route to earning league and championship MVP honors. He was also league MVP in 2012 for the Colorado Mammoth after setting the season points record with 116 in only 14 games. Grant Jr’s retired #24 jerseys proudly hang from the rafters in both Rochester and Colorado.
In 14 seasons at the MLL, including its inaugural in 2001, Grant Jr. ranked as the league’s career leader in combined regular season and postseason goals (388) and points (634). He won 5 titles as a player and one as an assistant coach. As a MLL player, coach, or player/coach, he participated in 10 Championship games, winning 6.
Internationally, Grant Jr won two FIL World Field Lacrosse Championships, in 2006 as a player and 2014 as an assistant OC. He earned All World selection in ‘02, ‘06, and ‘10 as an attackman. He also helped Team Canada win 3 Gold medals in World Box Championships in ‘03, ‘07, and ‘11. He was Tournament MVP in ‘03, and ‘07 events. Up North in Canada, Grant Jr represented his hometown Peterborough Lakers and won 5 Mann Cups, synonymous for Canadian Championships in ‘04, ‘06, ‘07, ‘10, ‘12. He Earned the Mike Kelly Award for tournament MVP in ‘04 and ‘06.
Following his illustrious playing career, Grant began a successful coaching career. He spent 4 years as the Head coach of Valor Christian High School in Colorado. He was able to lead the Eagles to three State title games, winning in ‘16 and ‘17. After the 18 seasons, he joined the Air Force Academy as an offensive coordinator and in two seasons at Air Force, Grant Jr. helped the Falcons to a 14-8 record, including a 10-5 mark in 2019. Air Force won the 2019 Southern Conference regular season title, and the Falcons opened the 2020 season with a 14-13 win at fifth-ranked Duke. Most recently Grant Jr. spent the last two seasons at Johns Hopkins University as an Offensive Coordinator.
“Spending the last four decades in the game of lacrosse, Grant Jr’s experience will undoubtedly bring a wealth of knowledge to all aspects of Epoch Lacrosse, we are thrilled to have John involved with our company.” said Even McDonnell, product designer at Epoch. “John's extensive background is awesome, but his passion around products and growing the game is inspiring,” he added.
About Epoch:
Epoch Lacrosse is a U.S. design and technology company committed to exclusively creating the highest-performing lacrosse equipment made and manufactured in the U.S. Through its innovation lab in Minneapolis, Epoch Lacrosse incorporates high-tech practices into its production including 3D printing and utilizing carbon fiber. In addition to Epoch Lacrosse’s use of technology, the design of their heads, shafts and gear customization is leading the lacrosse industry and are growing in popularity among players – including their ground breaking Purpose 15-Degree Women’s head, Epoch bespoke for personal gear customization, and the Dragonfly Select, Pro, and Elite, its brand-new tiered shaft line for elite lacrosse players.