Things will be different for the Baltimore Bayhwaks in the 2006 season.
Much different.
The defending Major Lacrosse League champion Bayhawks have made changes, from ownership to the head coach to even its list of opponents.
The Baltimore franchise came under new ownership after the new year, when it was announced on January 20 that an ownership group led by Jeff Harvey and Scott Hiller had acquired the team. Harvey and Hiller are also acting as co-presidents for the organization.
“We have created a new theme for 2006,” Harvey said at a the Bayhawks pre-season luncheon Tuesday at the Sports Legends Museum. Harvey announced the new theme: This is Baltimore. This is Lacrosse. Go Pro.
“We would like to take advantage of this enthusiasm for the sport and what it means to Baltimore and the people who come out and watch the team,” Harvey said. The first game is May 20, at Long Island, at 7 p.m.
The Bayhawks will also be facing four new teams this season, as the MLL expanded to Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. “I think that this year we may take a little bit of an underdog role, while we teach the young guys,” Hiller said.
Hiller, the former Boston coach, took over as the interim head coach when Gary Gait was relieved of his coaching duties March 26. “I certainly don?t think I can replace Gary Gait,” Hiller said. “Gait is the greatest lacrosse icon of all time.”
Gait, along with Bayhawks Mikey Powell, Gavin Prout and Andrew Ross, were put on the “did not report” list April 26. The four players are not allowed to play for Baltimore, and will only be able to play in the MLL if the Bayhawks trade them.
“No one really knows about Gary [Gait], the same for Mikey [Powell],” Mark Millon said. Millon, an attackman, returned to the Bayhawks after a playing a season in Boston.
Millon played in Baltimore from 2001-2004. Millon is the MLL leader for career points (305) and career goals (206).
“This is my heart and soul,” Millon said. “I am very excited to be back in Baltimore.”
THE HILLER FILE
» Hiller coached the Boston Cannons from 2002-2005 and had a record of 32-18. He led the team to the playoffs four straight years, and won two American Division titles, whilemaking it to one league championship game in 2004. Hiller was named the MLL Coach of the Year twice in his four seasons.
» Hiller is married to Northwestern women?s coach, and four-time All-American at the University of Maryland, Kelly Amonte Hiller.
