New York, August 23, 2011 – Maverik Lacrosse is proud to announce that Brian Karalunas, a 2011 draft pick by the MLL's Long Island Lizards and a standout long-stick midfielder and academic All-American from Villanova University, is the newest addition to its roster of elite lacrosse athletes.
“We are thrilled to have Brian join our growing team of athlete representatives, he is a prime example of an outstanding student athlete," said John Gagliardi, President and founder of Maverik Lacrosse. "We are looking forward to having Brian represent our company and share what he has learned with players across the country."
In his senior year at Villanova, Brian was chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I head coaches to receive the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I men's lacrosse. Over his four years at Villanova, Brian maintained a 3.94 grade point average and was named to the Dean's List every semester. Karalunas' academic honors include being named to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. At Villanova, Brian founded the Graterford Maximum Security Prison Restorative Justice Program, an inmate educational program exploring alternatives to the retributive justice system with an emphasis on forgiveness, victim-offender relations and community building. Brian's community service efforts with the Villanova Special Olympics Fall Festival also earned him the 2010-2011 American Eagle Outfitters BIG EAST Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
“It is an honor to join Maverik's elite team of athletes,” said Karalunas. “Lacrosse has afforded me with so many great experiences. I am excited to represent the brand and grateful for the opportunity to give back to the sport."
Karalunas' on-field performance is equally as impressive as his accolades in the classroom. In his four years at Villanova Brian was a three-time All-American, two-time winner of the Big East's Defensive Player of the Year award and the Wildcats first three-time USILA All-American. Brian was also the first men's lacrosse player in Villanova history to be named a first team All-America selection. Brian capped off an impressive athletic career at Villanova with 74 ground balls and lead the NCAA with 70 caused turnovers, averaging 4.38 takeaways per game. A native of Jamesville, NY, Brian's high school athletic accomplishments include leading Jamesville-Dewitt Central H.S. to its first New York state championship in 21 years his senior year of 2007.
ABOUT MAVERIK LACROSSE
Maverik Lacrosse LLC (www.maveriklacrosse.com) founded in 2005 by John Gagliardi, Team USA Player and All-World Defenseman and Jay Jalbert, All-World Midfielder, is a lacrosse equipment manufacturer whose products are designed and developed by the world's top lacrosse players for lacrosse players. Team Maverik creates, tests, plays, develops and delivers innovative products that perform and exceed the professional demands of its founders. Maverik Lacrosse is a division of the Bauer Performance Sport's Group and is headquartered in New York, NY.
ABOUT BAUER PERFORMANCE SPORTS LTD
Bauer Performance Sports Ltd designs, manufacturers and markets performance sports equipment and related apparel under the leading brands Bauer Hockey, Maverik Lacrosse and Mission Roller Hockey.
2 comments
Can’t make it out either…
Anyone know what gloves those are? it’s been bothering me.