Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/21/12
This interview is part of a series of exclusive interviews with players, coaches and executives from the National Lacrosse League’s Philadelphia Wings.
John McFadyen is in his third season in the National Lacrosse League after playing collegiately at Duke University. A 6’7” defender, McFadyen played for the Colorado Mammoth before being picked up by the Wings last season.
Question: What skills can outdoor lacrosse players better develop by participating in box lacrosse?
McFayden: “Indoor is a fast game and it doesn’t have the luxury of space like field does. You need to have good stick skills in box because a missed pass or ground ball can quickly result in a goal for the other team.
“Indoor really helps me focus on solid fundamentals of passing, catching and running through ground balls. Also as a defenseman – I am playing with a short stick which makes me focus on using my feet and fists to control the offensive player as opposed to a long pole. I see a lot of young players develop a dependence on the long stick that really hurts their game. This is not possible in box and you soon realize the necessity of quick feet to be a great defenseman.
Question: What advice would you give to college juniors and seniors to make themselves more attractive to college recruiters / coaches?
McFayden: “Play other sports besides lacrosse. Be an athlete. Have fun and enjoy the game. Coaches will take a player if they have the potential to be great and that doesn’t mean the best player on a team.”
Question: What was the best moment of your college lacrosse career?
McFayden: “The best game moment was when Zach Greer scored a goal with 3 seconds left against Cornell in 2007 NCAA Final Four to put us up by one and send us to the National Championship. The stadium absolutely erupted and I remember standing on the field with goose bumps. The best overall moments are countless as I had amazing teammates and coaches during my career at Duke and to this day laugh about some of the memories both on and off the field.”
Quick Hits
What would you do for a Klondike bar: Pay about .85 cents.
Mac or PC? Mac.
Biggest Pet Peeve: Bikers, who think they are cars.
Favorite Cartoon: Family Guy
Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate cake and foreign films
Favorite holiday: Flag Day
Leno or Letterman? Colbert.
Favorite Pizza Topping: Meat
What did you want to be when you were a kid?: An Archeologist
Favorite Pro Sports Team (other than Wings): Giants
Favorite sport to play other than lacrosse: Football
Pre-game ritual: Listen to techno music and dance.
Tickets to all Philadelphia Wings home games at Wells Fargo Center can be purchased online by clicking here.
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