Jan. 3, 2003
Denver - Three of the University of Denver's greatest lacrosse players were drafted into the National Lacrosse League last week. Tom Ethington and Geoff Beiging were both picked up by Denver's local team, the Colorado Mammoth and Chad Wittman signed with the Vancouver Ravens. Wittman joins former Pioneer Mike Law who was picked up by the Ravens at the conclusion of the 2001 season.
Ethington and Wittman culminated their collegiate career with outstanding seasons last year. Ethington was voted as the Pioneer's Most Valuable Defensive Player and started 11 of 12 games. In addition, he recorded two assists, five shots and collected 24 ground balls. Ethington played in 51 career games and picked up 78 ground balls. Wittman was known as an offensive and defensive leader on the field. The Most Valuable Offensive Player of 2002 had 13 goals and five assists and 57 ground balls. As a Pioneer, Wittman played in 53 games, notched 60 goals, 23 assists and 130 ground balls.
"Tom is a work horse of an athlete and a very tough competitor. His drive and will to succeed will really benefit the Mammoth," Pioneer head coach Jamie Munro said. "Chad is as big as a horse, very fast, athletic and skilled. His ability to play both ends of the field is incredible."
Beiging was an assistant coach for the Pioneers last season and a four-year starter from 1997-2000. During his career at Denver, he played in 47 games and left his mark on the Pioneer record books. Bieging is fifth all-time in goals (81), third in assists (58) and fourth in total points (139) for Denver.
"Geoff has great speed, skill and tremendous field vision," said Munro. "His understanding of the game benefited us both as a player and a coach."
Law was the team's Most Valuable Player in 2001 and was selected to the 2001 USILA Scholar All-American Team. He was also named an honorable mention on the 2001 USILA Men's All-American Team, voted to the Great Western Lacrosse League first-team three times, elected to the Verizon Academic All-America At-Large District Seven Team and invited to tryout for the United States National Team.
"Mike is as talented a playmaker as there is in lacrosse today. He has everything. He's got tremendous quickness, skill and incredible shooting ability," Munro said.
The National Lacrosse League is the world's premier indoor lacrosse league, with 12 teams spanning both coasts. Each team plays 16 games in a season that runs from the last week of December to mid-April. The Colorado Mammoth reside in the Eastern Conference and begin the 2003 season tonight at the Pepsi Center against the Toronto Rock (7 p.m.). The Vancouver Ravens are in the Northern Division and also begin play tonight against the Philadelphia Wings (7:30 p.m., The General Motors Place).
