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Michael Powell (lacrosse player)
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mikey" Powell (born October 29, 1982) is one of the most decorated lacrosse
players in NCAA history in the last decade. A four-time First Team All-American at Syracuse University
, Powell is the only player to win the Jack Turnbull Award
as the top attackman in Division I lacrosse four consecutive times. Powell was also a four-time finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy
, the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy
, and is the only player to win the award twice. He led Syracuse
to two national championships and holds the school record for most career points.
in Carthage, New York
, where he was a high school All-American. He set the New York State high school records for most points in a season with 194 points in 2000, most points in a game with 15 points in 2000, and most assists in a season with 120 assists in 1999 and 115 in 2000.
and Ryan Powell
, and by lacrosse legends Gary Gait
and Charlie Lockwood.
title game against Princeton University
. In the championship game, he scored an unassisted goal with just 16 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, but Syracuse ultimately lost to Princeton on a B.J. Prager goal. Powell became the first player in Syracuse lacrosse history to be named a First Team All-American as a freshman. He was also awarded the Jack Turnbull Award
as the nation's top attackman, and was a finalist for the inaugural Tewaaraton Trophy
.
.
in the championship game 14-13. On the season, Powell scored 89 points, surpassing the Syracuse record shared by his two older brothers to become the all-time leading scorer at Syracuse with 307 points. That number ties him for fourth all-time in NCAA history. Powell was again selected as a First Team All-American, becoming just the fourth lacrosse player to earn that recognition four times, and won his second Tewaaraton Trophy
.
in the 2004 season. Instead, he pursued a career as a professional musician. Powell, along with his two older brothers, also signed an endorsement contract with lacrosse equipment manufacturer Brine, Corp., with Mike working out of Brine's west coast office. Casey and Ryan had previously been employed by Warrior Sports
.
In 2005, Powell joined the MLL
and was drafted by the Baltimore Bayhawks
, where he and teammate Gary Gait
led the Bayhawks to the league championship. Powell also played in the MLL All-Star Game, where he was selected as MVP. He sat out the 2006 MLL season. On March 21, 2007, Powell, along with Ben DeFelice and a 2008 conditional draft choice, was traded from the Baltimore Bayhawks
to the Boston Cannons
in exchange for Ryan Curtis and Conor Gill
.
Powell was a member of U.S. World Team in the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship
, where he was the U.S.'s leading scorer and was selected to the All-World Team. The U.S. team fell to Canada in the championship game, 15-10, marking the second time the Americans had lost to the Canadians in 14 contests.
In 2011 Powell plays for the Boston Cannons.
In addition to his older brothers, Casey
and Ryan
, Mike also has a younger brother, Mason.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
players in NCAA history in the last decade. A four-time First Team All-American at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, Powell is the only player to win the Jack Turnbull Award
Jack Turnbull Award
The "Lt. Col. J. I. Turnbull Award" — also known as the Jack Turnbull Award — is an award given to the United States' top collegiate attackman in lacrosse, named after National Lacrosse Hall of Fame alumnus Jack Turnbull. The award is given to a player in Division I, Division II, and Division...
as the top attackman in Division I lacrosse four consecutive times. Powell was also a four-time finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy
Tewaaraton Trophy
The Tewaaraton Trophy is an award given annually, since 2001, to the most outstanding American college lacrosse player. It is the lacrosse equivalent of football's Heisman Trophy. The trophy is presented by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance and the University Club of Washington, D.C...
, the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
, and is the only player to win the award twice. He led Syracuse
Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse
The Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse team represents Syracuse University in NCAA Division I men's college lacrosse. The Orange have won 10 NCAA championship titles, and currently competes as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference men's lacrosse conference...
to two national championships and holds the school record for most career points.
High school career
Powell attended Carthage Senior High SchoolCarthage Senior High School (Carthage, New York)
Carthage Senior High School is a public high school in Carthage, New York, founded in 1945. In 2005 enrollment was approximately 900 students.-References:* *...
in Carthage, New York
Carthage, New York
Carthage is a village located in the Town of Wilna in Jefferson County, New York. The population was 3,721 at the 2000 census. The village is named after the historic Carthage in North Africa....
, where he was a high school All-American. He set the New York State high school records for most points in a season with 194 points in 2000, most points in a game with 15 points in 2000, and most assists in a season with 120 assists in 1999 and 115 in 2000.
College career
Powell enrolled at Syracuse in the fall of 2000 as one of the most anticipated recruits in college lacrosse history. He wore the #22 Syracuse jersey, the same number previously worn by both of his older brothers Casey PowellCasey Powell
Casey Powell is a lacrosse player in the United States. He was the captain of the US national team in the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship. He currently plays indoor lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League for the Rochester Knighthawks. He also plays Major League Lacrosse for the Hamilton...
and Ryan Powell
Ryan Powell
Ryan Powell may refer to:* Ryan Powell , Welsh rugby union player* Ryan Powell , American lacrosse player...
, and by lacrosse legends Gary Gait
Gary Gait
Gary Charles Gait is widely regarded as the best lacrosse player of all time, just above his twin brother Paul. He has starred at the NCAA level at Syracuse University, at the professional level in the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse, and at the international level for the...
and Charlie Lockwood.
2001 season
In his freshman season, Powell tallied 30 goals, 40 assists, and 69 groundballs while leading Syracuse to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse ChampionshipNCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament determines the top men's field lacrosse team in the NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III....
title game against Princeton University
Princeton Tigers men's lacrosse
The Princeton Tigers men's lacrosse team represents Princeton University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse...
. In the championship game, he scored an unassisted goal with just 16 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, but Syracuse ultimately lost to Princeton on a B.J. Prager goal. Powell became the first player in Syracuse lacrosse history to be named a First Team All-American as a freshman. He was also awarded the Jack Turnbull Award
Jack Turnbull Award
The "Lt. Col. J. I. Turnbull Award" — also known as the Jack Turnbull Award — is an award given to the United States' top collegiate attackman in lacrosse, named after National Lacrosse Hall of Fame alumnus Jack Turnbull. The award is given to a player in Division I, Division II, and Division...
as the nation's top attackman, and was a finalist for the inaugural Tewaaraton Trophy
Tewaaraton Trophy
The Tewaaraton Trophy is an award given annually, since 2001, to the most outstanding American college lacrosse player. It is the lacrosse equivalent of football's Heisman Trophy. The trophy is presented by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance and the University Club of Washington, D.C...
.
2002 season
In 2002, Powell tallied 42 goals and 42 assists en route to leading Syracuse to a national championship. With four goals and three assists in the championship game, he was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player and won his first Tewaaraton TrophyTewaaraton Trophy
The Tewaaraton Trophy is an award given annually, since 2001, to the most outstanding American college lacrosse player. It is the lacrosse equivalent of football's Heisman Trophy. The trophy is presented by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance and the University Club of Washington, D.C...
.
2003 season
Powell missed the fall 2002 semester and fall practice at Syracuse but was able to regain academic eligibility before the 2003 lacrosse season. Despite the aggressive defenses that targeted him during the season, he helped lead Syracuse to the Final Four for the 21st consecutive time, where Syracuse eventually fell to Johns Hopkins University 19-8 in the semifinals.2004 season
As a senior, Powell led the Orange to their ninth NCAA championship. In the NCAA tournament, Syracuse defeated top-seeded Johns Hopkins in the semifinal round 15-9 and then beat second-seeded NavyNavy Midshipmen men's lacrosse
The Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse team represents the United States Naval Academy in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse. Navy currently competes as a member of the Patriot League and play their home games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland...
in the championship game 14-13. On the season, Powell scored 89 points, surpassing the Syracuse record shared by his two older brothers to become the all-time leading scorer at Syracuse with 307 points. That number ties him for fourth all-time in NCAA history. Powell was again selected as a First Team All-American, becoming just the fourth lacrosse player to earn that recognition four times, and won his second Tewaaraton Trophy
Tewaaraton Trophy
The Tewaaraton Trophy is an award given annually, since 2001, to the most outstanding American college lacrosse player. It is the lacrosse equivalent of football's Heisman Trophy. The trophy is presented by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance and the University Club of Washington, D.C...
.
Post-collegiate lacrosse career
Following his graduation, Powell surprised many in the lacrosse community when he chose not to play professional lacrosse for Major League LacrosseMajor League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
in the 2004 season. Instead, he pursued a career as a professional musician. Powell, along with his two older brothers, also signed an endorsement contract with lacrosse equipment manufacturer Brine, Corp., with Mike working out of Brine's west coast office. Casey and Ryan had previously been employed by Warrior Sports
Warrior Sports
Warrior Sports is a manufacturer of lacrosse and ice hockey equipment and apparel based in Warren, Michigan, United States.-History:Warrior Sports was founded in 1992 by David Morrow, a former lacrosse player. In 2004 Warrior Sports was acquired by privately-held New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc...
.
In 2005, Powell joined the MLL
Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
and was drafted by the Baltimore Bayhawks
Baltimore Bayhawks
The Chesapeake Bayhawks are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Annapolis, Maryland. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the National Division and from 2006 to 2008, they were in the...
, where he and teammate Gary Gait
Gary Gait
Gary Charles Gait is widely regarded as the best lacrosse player of all time, just above his twin brother Paul. He has starred at the NCAA level at Syracuse University, at the professional level in the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse, and at the international level for the...
led the Bayhawks to the league championship. Powell also played in the MLL All-Star Game, where he was selected as MVP. He sat out the 2006 MLL season. On March 21, 2007, Powell, along with Ben DeFelice and a 2008 conditional draft choice, was traded from the Baltimore Bayhawks
Baltimore Bayhawks
The Chesapeake Bayhawks are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Annapolis, Maryland. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the National Division and from 2006 to 2008, they were in the...
to the Boston Cannons
Boston Cannons
The Boston Cannons are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Eastern Conference. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the...
in exchange for Ryan Curtis and Conor Gill
Conor Gill
Conor Gill is a professional lacrosse player who had an exceptional collegiate career at the University of Virginia before going on to the professional ranks.-High school and collegiate career:...
.
Powell was a member of U.S. World Team in the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship
2006 World Lacrosse Championship
2006 Warrior World Lacrosse Championship, held in London, Ontario from 13–22 July 2006, was won by Team Canada and featured a record twenty-one competing nations...
, where he was the U.S.'s leading scorer and was selected to the All-World Team. The U.S. team fell to Canada in the championship game, 15-10, marking the second time the Americans had lost to the Canadians in 14 contests.
In 2011 Powell plays for the Boston Cannons.
Personal
Powell is a traveling musician and a prolific writer with over two hundred songs. He has traveled the country for the past three years playing in any place that will let him play he can find. Heavily influenced by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, John Prine, and Townes Van Zandt. He has released two albums since becoming a solo performer, "Replevin" in 2009 and "The Night The Date Was Tied" in 2010.In addition to his older brothers, Casey
Casey Powell
Casey Powell is a lacrosse player in the United States. He was the captain of the US national team in the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship. He currently plays indoor lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League for the Rochester Knighthawks. He also plays Major League Lacrosse for the Hamilton...
and Ryan
Ryan Powell (lacrosse)
Ryan Powell , is an American lacrosse player from West Carthage, New York. He was a four-time All-American at Syracuse University. He currently plays for the Boston Blazers of the National Lacrosse League and the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse. His brothers Casey and Mike also have enjoyed...
, Mike also has a younger brother, Mason.
NCAA
| Regular Season | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | |||||
| 2001 | Syracuse | 16 | 30 | 40 | 70 | |||||
| 2002 | Syracuse | 17 | 42 | 42 | 84 | |||||
| 2003 | Syracuse | 16 | 31 | 33 | 64 | |||||
| 2004 | Syracuse | 17 | 47 | 42 | 89 | |||||
| NCAA Totals | 66 | 150 | 157 | 307 | ||||||
MLL
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | G | 2ptG | A | Pts | LB | PIM | GP | G | 2ptG | A | Pts | LB | PIM | ||
| 2005 | Baltimore | 11 | 27 | 0 | 17 | 44 | 25 | 0.5 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2007 | Boston | 12 | 27 | 0 | 21 | 48 | 17 | 6.5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2008 | Boston | 8 | 18 | 0 | 15 | 33 | 21 | 6.5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| MLL Totals | 31 | 72 | 0 | 53 | 125 | 63 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | |||
Awards
See also
- Casey PowellCasey PowellCasey Powell is a lacrosse player in the United States. He was the captain of the US national team in the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship. He currently plays indoor lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League for the Rochester Knighthawks. He also plays Major League Lacrosse for the Hamilton...
- Ryan Powell
- NCAA Men's Division I Lacrosse Records
- Syracuse Orange men's lacrosseSyracuse Orange men's lacrosseThe Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse team represents Syracuse University in NCAA Division I men's college lacrosse. The Orange have won 10 NCAA championship titles, and currently competes as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference men's lacrosse conference...