By- Kevin M. Neibauer
Today we look at the long list of names that have participated in the League. We’ll let Frank Menschner do the honors.
Tom Slate, J.R. Castle, Paul French (Wings), Scott Joyner, Bill Curtis (USA 2003 1 Bronze medal each), Brad Kotz (Wings & Thunder), Mark Hoffman, Donny West (Wave), Kevin Forester (Wave & Thunder, now an NLL official) PBLA refs Joe Fratoni and Joe Fee both refereed in the NLL. and now Mickey Hover and Bob Snider, George Castle (Wings), Frank Menschner (USA 1980 (20yrs old) & 2007(47yrs old) 2 Bronze medals), Ginny Capichionni (Storm & USA 2011, 1 Bronze medal ), Pat Crosby (Slovakia 2011), Tim O'Connor, Joe Caufield, Mike Ryan (Ireland 2011) Graham D'Alvia (USA GM 2007 & 2011, 2 Bronze medals), Jacques Bagley (USA asst.GM 2007 & 2011, 2 Bronze medals) JUST TO NAME A FEW!
The PBLA even has an international connection, Many Iroquois Nation members have participated. The list includes, Tracy Shenandoah (coach 2011 silver medal), Sonny Shenandoah, Ray Lyons and the Cook brothers, who lived and worked in Philly on the high rise buildings (Liberty One to be exact) during the week and then back to the reservation at Onondaga (Syracuse) for the weekends. They were part of the first Reaper Championship Team in 1988.
I was told by the people that run the MABLL (D.C.) and BILL (Balt.) that we paved the way for their leagues. I took over for Bill Malizia in1987 with Doreen Menschner as Treasurer and scorekeeper. Doreen died of a brain aneurism in 1993. Each season, the league Champions are awarded a trophy that is known as the Doreen Menschner trophy.
Steve Innamarato took over as treasurer in 1992 and has been a huge part of our success and the glue that holds us together. In 1988 we started taking travel teams (PBLA All stars) around North America, playing in Baltimore, Washington D.C., Virginia, New Jersey., New York, and Delaware. From 1987 to 1994 we took teams to Canada. Peterborough, Whitby and Oshawa and also the Iroquois Reservation in Onondaga & Oneida N.Y.
Playing against the likes of Rex Lyons, Scott Burnam, the Shenandoah's, Paul and Gary Gait, Joe Hiltz, Terry Preston, Jim Wasson, John Grant, who in 1991 asked if his 14 year old son John Jr. could play with us. We let him and he turned out to be pretty good!
And all these towns would bring teams to play at Rizzo too. In 2000 we started sending teams’ abroad (USA PHILADELPHIA) and for 8 years competed in the Ales Hresbesky Memorial in Radotin Prague, Czech Republic. The biggest box lacrosse tournament in all of Europe 16 teams from 9 different countries! I have recently (April) played in my 11th consecutive Ales Hresbesky Tournament, which makes me the only American to do so.
My personal career started by playing BOX lacrosse in 1977 in the old PMLL (Phila. Men’s Lacrosse League) which ran from 1975-1982. Started playing in the PBLA in 1986 and have been going strong for 25 years, I played every game in goal for the Reapers in that time except two in 1994 on what would have been my 7th wedding anniversary June 20th. My wife passed in September of 1993.
The PBLA is celebrating their 25th Anniversary on Saturday, July 16 at Rizzo Rink. Many of the alumni are expected to attend and even play a bit of Lacrosse. The event is open to the public, so if you want to experience the gala, shoot down to Rizzo Rink and watch how the game should be played.
I want to thank Frank Menschner and the entire PBLA organization for their cooperation in this article.
Update
For those of you that may be wondering. (I know its been awhile), here is how the 25th Season of the PBLA played out. The Outlaws defeated the BeerWolves to win the title. The Beer Wolves were defending Champions.
As far as the players profiled, Frank Menschner's team, the Grim Reapers, as well as Steve Innamarato's squad, The Edge, both lost in the semi-finals.
Brendan Gilligan, the youngster we profiled in Part one was a member of the Championship squad. Congrats to all and looking forward to Season 26!!!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Twenty Five Year Tradition in the Lacrosse World
By- Kevin M. Neibauer
Part 1
There has been a lacrosse league in existence in Philadelphia for twenty five years. Started by Bill Malizia, the Philadelphia Box Lacrosse Association continues its storied tradition with two games every Monday and Wednesday night thru August.
Located at Rizzo Rink, the league features an eclectic mix of youth and experience. Frank Menschner, the Commissioner has missed a total of two games in that quarter century. Menschner is proud of his achievements. Not only in that league, but his experiences in the Lacrosse world. Having traveled to far away places such as Prague, Menschner plays for the love of the game.
All of the participants hold down full time jobs or attend school. Ages vary from 18 to a few guys in their 40's.
The league can boast that some of the biggest names in the Lacrosse World as alumni. Former Philadelphia Wings Bob Snider and Mickey Hover either have or are currently playing.(Part 2 will deal with some more history and a partial list of some of the greats who have found their way on the floor of Rizzo Rink)
Playing in a non-air conditioned facility under I-95 in South Philadelphia; the atmosphere is far from glamorous. Yet not a single player notices the sometimes steamy conditions and the tremendous aroma from a local Steak House.
The Lacrosse players are more of a fraternity or brotherhood. All of the participants know each other well, travel together and even throw a few back together. On the floor, they are bitter rivals. As soon as the final horn sounds, high fives and hugs permeate the floor.
Its not just Menschner who has been around for twenty five years, Walt Bujak started out as a player and was on the first Championship team. Bujak is now acting as a referee.
"I played when it was basically pick-up games; I was on the first Championship team. Lots of great times,” Bujak said. “I realized that I was getting older, definitely slower and the kids were getting bigger and better so I stopped playing and became a ref."
What is it that draws individuals such as Budaj to keep coming out? "I love the game and I won't lie, the money is nice." Money? None of the players are playing for any money but for love. The officials are the only ones that get paid.
One of the newer players is 18 year Brendan Gilligan. Gilligan is new to the game and many of the veterans have taken him under their wing, some of his mentors do not even play with his team. It is clear that Gilligan has been accepted into the PBLA family. Clearly, a blueprint has been laid out for his development. He is being brought along slowly, but is having the time of his life. To further show the Lacrosse family ties, Brendan’s mother Doreen has come on board as timekeeper/scorekeeper.
Later this week, more of the history and a partial list of the great players who have participated. Many hall of famers and current superstars proudly call themselves alumni.
Part 1
There has been a lacrosse league in existence in Philadelphia for twenty five years. Started by Bill Malizia, the Philadelphia Box Lacrosse Association continues its storied tradition with two games every Monday and Wednesday night thru August.
Located at Rizzo Rink, the league features an eclectic mix of youth and experience. Frank Menschner, the Commissioner has missed a total of two games in that quarter century. Menschner is proud of his achievements. Not only in that league, but his experiences in the Lacrosse world. Having traveled to far away places such as Prague, Menschner plays for the love of the game.
All of the participants hold down full time jobs or attend school. Ages vary from 18 to a few guys in their 40's.
The league can boast that some of the biggest names in the Lacrosse World as alumni. Former Philadelphia Wings Bob Snider and Mickey Hover either have or are currently playing.(Part 2 will deal with some more history and a partial list of some of the greats who have found their way on the floor of Rizzo Rink)
Playing in a non-air conditioned facility under I-95 in South Philadelphia; the atmosphere is far from glamorous. Yet not a single player notices the sometimes steamy conditions and the tremendous aroma from a local Steak House.
The Lacrosse players are more of a fraternity or brotherhood. All of the participants know each other well, travel together and even throw a few back together. On the floor, they are bitter rivals. As soon as the final horn sounds, high fives and hugs permeate the floor.
Its not just Menschner who has been around for twenty five years, Walt Bujak started out as a player and was on the first Championship team. Bujak is now acting as a referee.
"I played when it was basically pick-up games; I was on the first Championship team. Lots of great times,” Bujak said. “I realized that I was getting older, definitely slower and the kids were getting bigger and better so I stopped playing and became a ref."
What is it that draws individuals such as Budaj to keep coming out? "I love the game and I won't lie, the money is nice." Money? None of the players are playing for any money but for love. The officials are the only ones that get paid.
One of the newer players is 18 year Brendan Gilligan. Gilligan is new to the game and many of the veterans have taken him under their wing, some of his mentors do not even play with his team. It is clear that Gilligan has been accepted into the PBLA family. Clearly, a blueprint has been laid out for his development. He is being brought along slowly, but is having the time of his life. To further show the Lacrosse family ties, Brendan’s mother Doreen has come on board as timekeeper/scorekeeper.
Later this week, more of the history and a partial list of the great players who have participated. Many hall of famers and current superstars proudly call themselves alumni.
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