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Today, US Lacrosse announced the 2014 class to be inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and there are a couple names UVa. fans might recognize.
Former Virginia midfileder Jay Jalbert, arguably one of the greatest midfielders in Virginia history and a headliner of our very own Virginia Lacrosse Best of All Time team, earned a well-deserved spot in the eight-man class. Jalbert garnered three time All-American honors, and was an integral part in Virginia's 1999 National Championship.
Professionally, Jalbert has added several more honors to his laundry list of achievements to include four all-star nods for Major League Lacrosse, and three for National League Lacrosse. He also excelled as a midfielder on the US National team.
He started Jalbert Productions International, which put out the fantastic piece "There and Back: All-Access with Virginia Lacrosse".
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Head Coach Dom Starsia had only the highest praise for Jalbert in the press release:
“Jay is simply one of the most talented and dynamic players I have had the great pleasure to work with in my 40 years of coaching college lacrosse. He was that rare combination of size, quickness and superb skills. An All-American attackman in his second year, Jay made the move to midfield and became the USILA Midfielder of the Year while leading the 1999 University of Virginia team to its first NCAA title in 27 years. We have remained in close contact through the years and everyone associated with Virginia Lacrosse stands a little taller while considering Jay's induction in to the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame. This is a fitting recognition of a remarkable career.”
Also recognized by US Lacrosse was Stan Cockerton, father of Virginia alums Matt and Mark Cockerton. Stan Cockerton played for NC State (when they had a team), and he held the total goals scored in a career record until Zack Greer and Max Quinzani of Duke passed him in 2008 and 2010 respectively. Cockerton still holds the NCAA goals per game record over his career, however, because he did his 193 goal damage over the course of just 44 games (4.39 gpg), while Greer (206 goals, 67 games, 3.07 gpg) and Quinzani (199 goals, 78 games, 2.55 gpg) had significantly more chances. Stan Cockerton is currently the president of the Federation of International Lacrosse.
In other Virginia Lacrosse news...
After a relatively quiet season, fourth year Rob Emery had a pretty busy week...well day, really. Yesterday, news broke on two big Emery-related successes, both personally and lacrosse-y.
First, Rob earned a spot on the 2014 USILA Scholar All-America Team for his academic and athletic prowess. The award means he maintained a grade point average above 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and also achieved honors on field. Emery was also a finalist of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award this year.
Additionally, Emery was added to the active roster of the Boston Cannons yesterday. The Cannons drafted Rob 17th overall in this year's Major League Lacrosse collegiate draft.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>PLAYER NEWS: Draft pick Rob Emery/<a href="https://twitter.com/UVAMensLacrosse">@UVAMensLacrosse</a> added to Cannons active roster today</p>— Boston Cannons (@BostonCannons) <a href="https://twitter.com/BostonCannons/statuses/468916780308897792">May 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Congratulations to both Jay Jalbert and Rob Emery, who continue to represent Virginia even after their time in Charlottesville has drawn to a close. Wahoowa!