Christian Cook's Post Season Comments to MLL Fans

August 28, 2002

The New Jersey Pride suffered a season ending loss at the hands of the Long Island Lizards in the semi-finals of the playoffs on Saturday night 19-11. We had a habit of getting down early all season long and that trend continued into the playoffs. We handed the Lizards an 8-3 first quarter lead and simply could not come back. The Lizards are an outstanding team and are VERY hard to beat when you get down a couple of goals.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this second season of the MLL. I’d like to comment on several things in this column. First, our new venue (Commerce Bank Ballpark) was far superior to Yogi Berra Stadium – I only wish our organization had worked harder at marketing to draw more fans. Second, our team was outstanding this year and I would do anything for my Pride teammates. However, I think we underperformed. Our talent could have taken us to the MLL finals, but we simply approached every game in a very laid back manner – as is our habit. I think that we need to increase the intensity if we are to improve on our record next year. Third, the competition this year was even better than last. I wrote several weeks ago about how taxing the season was both mentally and physically – just imagine how we feel 3-4 weeks AFTER that article was written. The players were in better shape and were more prepared for the rigors of the season and I think it showed. Fourth, TV coverage was weak at best and I hope that it improves next season. ANYBODY I’ve spoken to who has seen a game on TV enjoyed it – fans of the game and newcomers alike. It is an outstanding product with great athletes and it simply needs to be shown as far and as wide as the eye can see. Fifth, the travel is brutal – not much more needs to be said. Sixth, the MLL website needs to be updated more rapidly and accurately and the empty links should be fixed. Seventh, fans need to go to the games for the league to survive – and going to the games is not enough. As players, we found that everyone is looking for something free – fans want free tickets, kids want free gear. To the fans, the league will thrive and survive if you BUY tickets – not if we give them to you. To the kids, we want to help you as players, but we do not receive a new set of pads/equipment EVERY game as some of you think. We get one of everything to last us the season. When we turn you down and say that we cannot give you something – it is not because we are cold and heartless and want to sell our items on eBay. It is because we need it for the next week. Please understand that and respect that. We want the game to expand and grow and we want you to enjoy it – but be reasonable.

This season was a lot of fun and I think it surpassed the expectations of many. I think the MLL All-Star game was an example of how far the league has come. It was organized and presented VERY well this year and is a symbol of things to come (although I’d like a little more defense!). I look forward to playing next summer and raising the level of play yet another notch. The MLL is the game of lacrosse at its highest level, for better and worse. We as players do our best to play with heart and intensity and for the love of the game (it certainly isn’t for the money – yet). We love the game as the fans do. As for the fans, please come and buy tickets and watch us. We are all in this together. We aren’t MLB baseball players asking for $1.5 million a year and more. We work a full-time job and play on the side. We all have to make sacrifices. The game is wonderful and the league is great for all of its faults. Let’s go watch the finals and cheer as hard as we can for the teams, players, organizations AND the league.