The fourth year of the Upstate Collegiate Box Lacrosse League (UCBLL) kicked off Thursday night with Player Combines at Total Sports Experience (TSE) in Gates and in East Aurora at The Classic Rink. Over 60 players from 32 different colleges and universities hit the turf, gunning for spots on the four UCBLL teams.
“It’s incredible to be back with this group,” said Hawkeyes coach and Rochester Knighthawks team captain Dan Coates. “This is the start of the journey. It’s a lot of fun. Seeing the growth within our league has been great. These guys go to camps and get drafted. We need that American player to help our league (NLL) grow.”
The UCBLL is a National Collegiate Box Series-affiliated league designed to give college-age athletes a chance to hone their skills, gain valuable experience, and help them take their game to the next level. The league includes the two-time defending champion Hawkeyes, the Armory, Buffaloes and Rapids.
“I am so excited to be up north again, playing with my best friends and my teammates,” said Hawkeyes all-time leading scorer Zachary Terry. “It’s a blessing. I am excited to take this opportunity and be competitive, along with getting better, in hopes of making it to a higher level. I’m excited to get coached by a couple of the best in the game.”
The teams are coached by current and former National Lacrosse League players, including Chris Cloutier, Ian MacKay and Zack Belter of the Buffalo Bandits, and Coates, Ethan O’Connor, Thomas McConvey, and Ryland Rees of the Rochester Knighthawks. Former Knighthawks defenseman Ron Cogan also coaches the Armory.
“Coaching in the UCBLL has been an incredible experience so far,” said MacKay, who returns to coach in Buffalo. “To see guys who have little to no box lacrosse experience learn the game, fall in love with it, and get a chance at the next level, whether it’s senior, ALL (Arena Lacrosse League) or NLL, makes it all worth it.”
The season runs from June through July, with games and practices held on Monday and Thursday nights. The four teams in the UCBLL participate in eight practices and eight regular-season games. The regular season starts on Thursday, June 13, at The Blue Cross Arena. The Hawkeyes host the Buffaloes at 6:00 p.m., while the Armory takes on the Rapids at 8:00 p.m.
The league is among the most successful in the NCBS circuit. Not only have teams advanced to the playoffs of the NCBS National Championships in three straight campaigns, but the UCBLL has seen 10 of its players selected in the National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. In 2023, Kaleb Benedict, Luke Pilcher, Jake Piseno and Kellen Pulera were chosen in the draft.
“The UCBLL has come a long way since our inaugural year,” said O’Connor, who coaches the Buffaloes. “During the first couple of years, there was a feeling out process for a lot of players as they got their first experience playing box lacrosse. Four years later, it’s impressive seeing the talent on the floor as the UCBLL has established itself as an influential league for next-level caliber players. It’s not a matter of if we will see kids drafted from our league into the NLL, but how many? It’s an exciting time for the UCBLL and I look forward to continuing the growth this year with a new group of players.”