By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/20/11
Jon Levine, who guided Upper Dublin to three straight Suburban One American Conference boys’ lacrosse championships in a successful nine-year career learned Monday his contract was not being renewed.
Levin led the Cards to a 12-7 record and a second-place finish this year in the Suburban One American Conference. Upper Dublin then suffered a tight, 10-9 loss in the first round of the District 1 tournament to Spring-Ford, which eventually advanced to the quarterfinals.
Levin led Upper Dublin to undefeated league titles in 2007 and 2009. The Cards shared the league crown with Methacton in 2008. His overall record was 102-62.
Levin, who also was an assistant in 2002, said he had only positive thoughts about his career at Upper Dublin.
“I had a lot of fun,” he said. “The best part about it is that I still talk to all the guys and we were able to accomplish goals throughout the 10 years I was there.”
Levin was 12-17 in his first two years and then enjoyed a mark of 90-45 (.667 percentage) for his final seven seasons.
“We improved the program and improved the mentality,” he said. “The kids respected the jersey they put on and the kids wanted to excel. They played all year round and played club and summer leagues.
‘We were lucky enough the past couple years to be a formidable team in the Suburban One. It’s nice to know a lot of the kids are playing college lacrosse or have graduated from college programs.”
The most recognizable Upper Dublin graduate is Brett Schmidt, a two-time All-American defenseman who led Maryland to the NCAA championship game this year as a senior. Schmidt also was the Atlantic Coast Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2011.
“It was nice to watch Brett become a two-time All-American,” said Levine. “And he is a great person off the field. He is certainly not the only one that’s gone on to play college lacrosse.”
Levine said some of his highlights were winning the three straight league titles and claiming a memorable double overtime win over a powerful Central Bucks East team in 2006. That Upper Dublin team went 16-5 and placed second to CB East in the old 17-team Suburban One League.
“I think the biggest moment was winning that double overtime game against CB East,” he said. “Nobody expected us to do it. They went to the EPpSLA semifinals that year and lost to Haverford School in a tough game.
“I am happy that my last game against Spring-Ford was such a good game. We lost, 10-9, but it was a great game and a great atmosphere.
“The team prepared together and put everything they had into it. It was a nice way to go out.”
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