Project 9.9 is thrilled to announce the results of their second annual event this past October 12, 13 and 14th. The top recruited players applied and were invited from all over the USA and Canada. Of the 52 players on the roster, 16 different states and Canada were represented at the event. An astounding figure, displaying Project 9.9’s role is expansion from the 6 states that were represented of the 50 players in the Inaugural Event.
The event kicked off on Saturday afternoon with 3 hours of positional work, and 1 hour of one v. one’s and unsettled situation exercises. The players were warmed and stretched by United States Men’s and Women’s National Team Strength & Conditioning Coach, Jay Dyer. “I told the players that the very first person they report to on campus are people like me – their fitness testing is always the prerequisite to practice”, said Jay Dyer. Paul Rabil, Ben Rubeor and Stephen Berger worked with the 20 midfielders who qualified for the event, while Mark Millon, Buddy Hoffman and John Schiavone worked with the 12 attackmen. Defensively, Pat McCabe and Greg Bice worked with the 12 defenders, and Scott Rodgers and Tim McGeeney instructed the 8 goalies.
Activities resumed with a 90-minute Strength with Hot Yoga session, sponsored by LuluLemon mats and instructors. Players then sat in on playbook discussions, which included term sheets, offensive and defensive breakdowns, and a 7-week conditioning program in preparation of spring lacrosse. Finally, the Motive Pure individual meetings with positional coaches began, lasting until midnight and into the next two days.
To start the second day, players participated at St. Paul’s high school for positional work, where coaches rotated to give a different perspective on technique and tendencies. In the evening, Project 9.9 resumed their work at Loyola University’s Ridley Athletic Complex. The sharp focus and attention to detail, all under the stadium lights, added to the big-time stadium feel each player will get at the next level. At closing, OT Sports and Headwrapz uniforms and helmet decals were distributed to each player, as coaches selected teams to compete at the last day of training.
On the final day, media and sponsors were invited to witness a recap of positional lessons and technique, followed by an 80-minute running clock game between selected sides. “The coaches selected teams based on player rankings throughout the weekend. In order to carefully choose the weekend’s MVP’s, we needed to see the top players compete head-to-head”, said Rabil. The final result saw Team Project defeat Team 9.9, 16-12, with the game MVP, Landon senior and Cornell commit Colton Rupp, scoring 4 goals and adding 1 assist.
Lacrosse.com Weekend MVP’s:
Attack: Kieran Byrnes, Villanova
Defense: Freddy Freibott, Ohio State
Midfield: Sam Bonafede, Princeton
Goalie: Ty Blaisdell, Princeton
Project 9.9 would like to thank their title sponsor, Warrior Sports. Players enjoyed cutting-edge apparel and footwear, including the new Prequels, jackets, shirts and shorts.
To view more on 2013’s Project 9.9, visit http://www.Project9pt9.com