“Heisman Trophy of Lacrosse” goes to Chicago’s #1 Draft Pick
Chicago, IL - Newly acquired Chicago Machine attackman Mike Leveille (Delmar, N.Y.) has been named the winner of the 2008 Tewaaraton Trophy as the player of the year in college lacrosse. Leveille was chosen from a group of five finalists by the selection committee, which is made up of 11 current and former head coaches.
The Tewaaraton Trophy has been presented to top lacrosse player in the nation each year since 2001. Leveille was selected over finalists Matt Danowski and Zack Greer of Duke, Paul Rabil of Johns Hopkins and Ben Rubeor of Virginia.
"Mike has been one of the real leaders of this team all year long," SU head coach John Desko said. "This is a great reward for him, the team and the University for all that he's accomplished. He was the main cog in our run to the national championship."
Leveille powered SU to victories against Virginia and Johns Hopkins at Gillette Stadium en route to the school's 10th NCAA title. A first-team All-American, Leveille was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, tallying 19 points, including 11 goals, in the Orange's four playoff victories.
He concluded the season ranked third nationally in points per game (4.61), seventh in goals per game (2.72) and seventh in assists per contest (1.89). Leveille led Syracuse in all three categories, notching 49 goals, 34 assists and 83 points. His 49 tallies are tied for seventh on the school's single-season list and his 83 points is tied for the 10th-best season total in SU history. Leveille finished his career ninth all-time at Syracuse in goals scored (132), 12th in career assists (83) and 12th in career points (215).
The Tewaaraton Trophy is the latest in long list of honors bestowed on Leveille in 2008. Last weekend he was named the second winner of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for men's lacrosse. The award is presented to the sport's most outstanding student-athlete. Leveille also won Syracuse's Male Athlete of the Year Award and was the school's male recipient of the Soladay Award for athletic and academic excellence.
Look for Leville to contribute in Sunday’s Chicago Machine matchup against the Washington Bayhawks at TOYOTA PARK. Several Machine players are questionable due to injuries from last week’s game. Leveille may replace Eric Pittard at attack this weekend after Pittard was hurt last week. The opportunity will allow Mike to join his brother, Kevin Leveille on the field for the first time ever. The duo will become an asset for the Chicago offense along with midfielders Brad Heritage, Brian Clayton and Pat Heim, who have combined for 10 goals so far this season.
About Chicago Machine
The Chicago Machine is Chicago’s outdoor professional men’s lacrosse team, members of the Western Conference of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). Now in their third season, the Chicago Machine plays at TOYOTA PARK, 15 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago. Led by head coach John Combs, the team has top players from nationally ranked college programs such as Notre Dame, Cornell, UMass, Johns Hopkins, Virginia, Navy and Syracuse.
The team returns home for a Sunday, June 1, 2008, matchup with the Washington (DC) Bayhawks. Game time is 3:30 pm at Toyota Park. Tickets and information are available at http://www.chicagomachine.com/ or by calling the ticket hotline at (312) 255-1540. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN360.com, and on Comcast SportsNet (Tape Delay) on Monday, June 2, at 3 pm CT. To receive game updates, text “LAX Updates” to 28546.
Media Contact: Kevin Boyer, (312) 588-3713, Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net
Chicago, IL - Newly acquired Chicago Machine attackman Mike Leveille (Delmar, N.Y.) has been named the winner of the 2008 Tewaaraton Trophy as the player of the year in college lacrosse. Leveille was chosen from a group of five finalists by the selection committee, which is made up of 11 current and former head coaches.
The Tewaaraton Trophy has been presented to top lacrosse player in the nation each year since 2001. Leveille was selected over finalists Matt Danowski and Zack Greer of Duke, Paul Rabil of Johns Hopkins and Ben Rubeor of Virginia.
"Mike has been one of the real leaders of this team all year long," SU head coach John Desko said. "This is a great reward for him, the team and the University for all that he's accomplished. He was the main cog in our run to the national championship."
Leveille powered SU to victories against Virginia and Johns Hopkins at Gillette Stadium en route to the school's 10th NCAA title. A first-team All-American, Leveille was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, tallying 19 points, including 11 goals, in the Orange's four playoff victories.
He concluded the season ranked third nationally in points per game (4.61), seventh in goals per game (2.72) and seventh in assists per contest (1.89). Leveille led Syracuse in all three categories, notching 49 goals, 34 assists and 83 points. His 49 tallies are tied for seventh on the school's single-season list and his 83 points is tied for the 10th-best season total in SU history. Leveille finished his career ninth all-time at Syracuse in goals scored (132), 12th in career assists (83) and 12th in career points (215).
The Tewaaraton Trophy is the latest in long list of honors bestowed on Leveille in 2008. Last weekend he was named the second winner of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for men's lacrosse. The award is presented to the sport's most outstanding student-athlete. Leveille also won Syracuse's Male Athlete of the Year Award and was the school's male recipient of the Soladay Award for athletic and academic excellence.
Look for Leville to contribute in Sunday’s Chicago Machine matchup against the Washington Bayhawks at TOYOTA PARK. Several Machine players are questionable due to injuries from last week’s game. Leveille may replace Eric Pittard at attack this weekend after Pittard was hurt last week. The opportunity will allow Mike to join his brother, Kevin Leveille on the field for the first time ever. The duo will become an asset for the Chicago offense along with midfielders Brad Heritage, Brian Clayton and Pat Heim, who have combined for 10 goals so far this season.
About Chicago Machine
The Chicago Machine is Chicago’s outdoor professional men’s lacrosse team, members of the Western Conference of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). Now in their third season, the Chicago Machine plays at TOYOTA PARK, 15 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago. Led by head coach John Combs, the team has top players from nationally ranked college programs such as Notre Dame, Cornell, UMass, Johns Hopkins, Virginia, Navy and Syracuse.
The team returns home for a Sunday, June 1, 2008, matchup with the Washington (DC) Bayhawks. Game time is 3:30 pm at Toyota Park. Tickets and information are available at http://www.chicagomachine.com/ or by calling the ticket hotline at (312) 255-1540. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN360.com, and on Comcast SportsNet (Tape Delay) on Monday, June 2, at 3 pm CT. To receive game updates, text “LAX Updates” to 28546.
Media Contact: Kevin Boyer, (312) 588-3713, Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net
