Georgetown Prep grad leads top-seeded Cavs
Bethesda’s Billy Glading had a storybook finish to his lacrosse career, winning an NCAA championship at the University of Virginia.
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That same spring, it was Virginia coach Dom Starsia’s good fortune that Glading’s little brother, Danny, emerged as one of the nation’s hottest prospects. To recruit the Georgetown Prep standout, all Starsia had to do was to remind him of Memorial Day, 2003, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, where Virginia defeated Johns Hopkins, 9-7.
Six years later, Danny Glading is one of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Trophy, and leads No. 1 seeded Virginia into the NCAA tournament. The Cavaliers (13-2) host Villanova (11-5) Sunday at 2:30 in Charlottesville.
Glading is trying to one-up his older brother. With a championship, he would bookend his career with NCAA titles. As a freshman, he was a key cog on the Cavaliers’ 2006 title team.
“That team had so many weapons, so many guys who could score. The ball just seemed to jump in the net,” said Glading.. “This year we have similar talent. It’s just not as easy.”
As a pass-first attackman, the 6-foot-3 Glading is the Cavaliers’ catalyst with team highs of 27 assists and 51 points. He specializes in playing behind the net, using his height, vision, and skills to create opportunities.
“If he was a little bit more natural scorer, he would just be unbelievable,” said Starsia. “It’s the one piece of his game that if it was a little further along, he’d be one of the greatest of all time.”
According to Glading, his biggest area of improvement this year has been his personality. As a freshman, he admired the leadership style of Matt Ward, the 2006 Tewaaraton Trophy winner, but Glading didn’t know if he could be like the extroverted attackman.
“It’s not my nature to be vocal,” said Glading, a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice. “It’s definitely something I’ve worked on. As a senior, in my position, I thought I needed to fill that role.”
Another role model for Glading is his brother, now an Internet entrepreneur and a player with the Washington Bayhawks in Major League Lacrosse.
“Billy was a huge reason for the success I’ve had,” said Glading. “He gave me tons of confidence. He made me feel comfortable that I could step up to that next level, both in high school and college, and play immediately.”
Another thing Billy Glading apparently passed on — how to win championships.
