Moon Township, Pa. – Since its debut as a program, Robert Morris University men's lacrosse has maintained a constant presence in the professional ranks of the sport – whether it be outdoor (Major League Lacrosse) or indoor (National Lacrosse League) lacrosse.
The foundation was built with the program's first head coach, Kenneth "Bear" Davis, who guided Robert Morris from 2005-11 before moving onto the MLL's Ohio Machine. Andrew McMinn, now in his ninth year as head coach and 14th overall at RMU, has taken the reins and built upon that foundation, increasing the number to 25 former Colonials that have played professionally.
As for this season, the Robert Morris name has never been more prevalent in the NLL. With 11 former Colonials playing for 10 different teams, RMU has the highest representation of any college or university in the league in 2020, ahead of notable schools such as Ohio State (9), Syracuse (8), Drexel (6), and Canisius (6).
LINK: Colonials in the Pros (Men's Lacrosse)
"It's certainly something we're very proud of," said McMinn of RMU's NLL presence. "We've had a strong contingency in the league from our early stages as a program, and having 11 guys competing at the highest level of indoor lacrosse right now is a testament to the work that they've put in, and something we're proud of that their roots came through our path here."
Four of the program alums – Kevin Brownell, Kyle Buchanan, Tyler Digby, and Kiel Matisz – are veterans of the NLL and have taken leadership roles with their respective organizations. Matisz serves as the captain of the Philadelphia Wings, while Brownell (Buffalo Bandits), Buchanan (San Diego Seals), and Digby (New York Riptide) are assistant captains on their clubs.
"That brings a lot of pride," said McMinn of the Colonials turned NLL captains. "All of those guys were tremendous leaders when they came through our program and have continued to do so at the next level. We have a lot of pride of the fact that not only are they performing at a high level, but that they are leaders within the organizations they're a part of."
Matisz, the program's first inductee into the RMU Athletics Hall of Fame, is in his second season with the Wings after playing for the Minnesota/Georgia Swarm from 2013-18, with a four-year MLL career overlapping that. The 2012 NEC Player and Offensive Player of the Year has compiled 22 points (7g, 15a) and 60 loose balls this year, and now has produced 152 goals and 277 assists in 123 career games.
Digby was selected by the New York Riptide in the ninth round of the 2019 NLL Expansion Draft and has thrived with the first-year franchise. The former two-sport athlete (football, 2009-13) is tied for seventh on the circuit in points with 32 (12g, 20a) and has recorded 163 goals and 212 assists over his 110-game career. He previously played for the Vancouver Stealth (2014-15), Calgary Roughnecks (2016-18), and New England Black Wolves (2019).
Buchanan is in his second season with the Seals, contributing 18 points (5g, 13a) in seven games after a 67-point performance (28g, 39a) in 2019. The forward was with the New England Black Wolves for three seasons from 2015-18 after spending one year with the Philadelphia Wings (2014) and Washington Stealth (2013).
Brownell has spent all eight of his professional years with the Buffalo Bandits, and this season has provided 12 loose balls, four points (2g, 2a), and the game-winning tally against the Swarm on Jan. 11.
The aforementioned foursome has been the base to Robert Morris' steady growth in the indoor ranks. Since 2006, there have only been three years (2007, 2009, 2014) where a NLL Entry Draft came and went without former Colonial being selected, and the program currently rides a five-year streak of producing a draft pick.
One of the biggest highlights for the RMU to NLL pipeline came on Sept. 17, 2019, when Tyson Gibson was selected by the New York Riptide with the first overall selection in the NLL Entry Draft. Gibson became the fifth Colonial ever to be chosen in the first round, and topped Matisz (1st round, 3rd overall in 2012) as the earliest pick in program history.
"It was huge," said McMinn of Gibson coming first off the NLL Entry Draft board. "Tyson is extremely deserving of that honor and going in he knew he would be a top three pick, so coming out as number one is something he was really proud of."
RELATED: Tyson Gibson Selected First Overall in 2019 NLL Entry Draft
Gibson hasn't disappointed in his rookie campaign, ranking second among first-year players in goals (10) and points (23), and third in assists (13). The three-time All-NEC First Team selection and 2019 NEC Player of the Year has registered a point in six of seven games, and posted three five-point performances with hat tricks against Philadelphia and San Diego.
"For us within the program we saw the work Tyson put in day in and day out," added McMinn. "Any accolades or recognition, getting drafted first overall, is something that for everyone that knows him knows it's well deserved. For him, it's huge to start off on that type of note, and he's going to be a guy who will be playing in the league for years to come."
The mix of veterans and younger players give the program room to build its mark in the NLL even more so in the future.
"Matisz, Brownell, Buchanan, some of those guys who have been there a little longer – we had Andrew Watt who had quite a career for a number of years there," said McMinn. "It's awesome to see the recent graduates make their mark in the league already."
Mitch Wilde is in his seventh NLL season – fourth with the Calgary Roughnecks – and captured a league championship in 2019. He has produced 28 loose balls, eight points (2g, 6a), and four caused turnovers this year, after forcing double-digit mistakes the last two seasons. The transition player played his first three seasons with Buffalo alongside Brownell.
Jacob Ruest has been a consistent threat in the Colorado Mammoth attack since 2017, registering 13 goals and 10 assists in eight games this season. Five of those tallies have been on the power play, and he has scooped up 37 loose balls after grabbing 97 last year.
In his first season with Halifax, Luc Magnan has helped the Thunderbirds remain the league's only unbeaten at 6-0. The defender has recorded 26 loose balls, three caused turnovers, and a pair of assists, and tallied 108 loose balls last season. He previously was with the Rochester Knighthawks for three seasons (2017-19), and the Toronto Rock in 2016.
James Rahe has been a member of the Vancouver Warriors for four seasons now, providing the newly-named club with 27 loose balls, four points (1g, 3a), and three caused turnovers in five games this year.
JonPatrik Kealey moved to the Buffalo Bandits in the offseason after two seasons with the New England Black Wolves, while Justin Robinson is in his first year with the Saskatchewan Rush.
"We recruit a lot of guys who have the (indoor) background," said McMinn. "So that's more of a testament to them with where they're at already as players before they came to Robert Morris. We play a style that certainly suits Canadian players and guys who are used to be playing box lacrosse, so overall it's a credit to the guys who have lasted in the NLL."
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