Warren, MI. (June 10, 2013) – Warrior Sports announced today the signing of Hamilton Nationals Josh Hawkins and Charlotte Hounds Mike Sawyer to two-year endorsement contracts. Both were members of Loyola’s first-ever Division 1 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse 2012 title team.
“Two years ago Loyola wasn’t seen as a National Championship team. To take them to a Championship says a lot about both of them,” says Andrew (Buggs) Combs, Sports Marketing Manager at Warrior.
Loyola is a Brine/Warrior-sponsored school, which gave Combs the opportunity to interact with Hawkins and Sawyer early on. “I’ve gotten to know them as people, not just as lacrosse players. This is important when signing guys to the Warrior Player’s Club. They both encompass the Warrior brand, and are involved in the community off the field, too.”
Hawkins, an Amherst, Massachusetts native, volunteers at lacrosse clinics in the community as often as he can. “They’re a lot of fun and very special. I still wear a wristband that a kid gave me during one of our clinics. It’s inspired me to think about developing my own program for inner city kids in Baltimore. It’s something I want to do to give back,” Hawkins says.
Hawkins was named a Preseason All-American First Team member in 2012, and his play in the NCAA Championships earned him All-Tournament honors after helping to limit Notre Dame and Maryland to a combined 8 goals in the semifinal and championship games.
“Josh is an unbelievable athlete and the perfect fit for the MLL. He knows how to take the ball from the defensive end to offensive end. The MLL is a midfielders league and he’ll take his game to the next level here,” says Combs.
Hawkins Loyola teammate Mike Sawyer was a Tewaaraton Award finalist in 2012, an honor that recognizes the top players in all of collegiate lacrosse. Sawyer considers this nomination one of his greatest accomplishments, along with being a part of a National title team. “A small kid out of North Carolina having a role on a winning team like that? It’s special. We had a great team and it was a great achievement,” Sawyer says.
Sawyer became only the second player in Loyola school history to score 50 plus goals in a season, with 52 in 2012, and was named the team’s Offensive MVP.
“Mike’s ability to shoot and finish the ball makes him a standout. He’s the first guy from Charlotte to play at this level and it’s inspiring to see,” says Combs.
Sawyer adds, “I’m looking forward to keeping everything going. It’s a new team and my hometown team. I’m excited to make the program the best I can.”
Both players expressed feeling extremely fortunate for the opportunity to represent such a revolutionary brand both on and off the field.
“It’s an honor. Look at all the players in the (Warrior Player’s) club. Definitely a decorated group of guys and I’m happy to be a part of it. Warrior has been a great supplier for both Mike and I, and I’ve personally used their gear since 4th grade. They’re the leading company in lacrosse and it’s such a privilege to be a part of it,” says Hawkins.
About Warrior
Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Warrior Sports is recognized as one of the sporting goods industry’s premier manufacturers of innovative, high performance, cutting-edge equipment, footwear and apparel for lacrosse, soccer, and hockey athletes of all ages and abilities. Founded in 1993 by former champion lacrosse player David Morrow, Warrior was acquired by privately-held New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. in February 2004. Warrior is dedicated to a core set of philosophies and strengths: technical superiority, grassroots marketing, original and creative youthful expression, and strong partnerships with retailers and suppliers. Warrior’s Players Club is the best players in the world helping to make the best equipment in the world and is reserved for the top professionals in lacrosse and hockey today. For more information on Warrior please visit www.warrior.com