American Lacrosse League (1988)

The American Lacrosse League ("ALL") was a professional lacrosse league that played for one partial season in 1988. At the time it featured most of the best lacrosse players in the world who played some of the most exciting lacrosse games ever witnessed. It was founded by Terry Wallace and Bruce Meierdiercks, former teammates at Adelphi University. The league folded after five weeks of play.

Wallace and Meierdiercks tried to fashion the new league after the success of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League which commenced operations in 1987. Both leagues employed a "single entity" ownership model, instead of franchise being owned individually. The league owned all of the teams which helped to keep costs down.

Meierdiercks in announcing the league's formation stated "Terry and I were All Americans and we love lacrosse. We're not doing this for the money. We're financially sound and in a position to do this for two years." He continued "then we plan to sell the franchises to the GM's - at least give them the first right of refusal. Then Terry and I will probably take over an expansion franchise in Philadelphia or Los Angeles or San Francisco." Meierdiericks claimed at the time that he and Wallace invested $2 million of their own capital into the league by "pre-paying" expenses to give the infant league two years of financial runway.

In an attempt to distance the outdoor version from the pro wrestling atmosphere that permeated the MILL, in a "shot across the MILL's bow" the ALL leaders stated the games would be played in a family atmosphere with no alcoholic beverages sold, affordable ticket prices ($8 per game single tickets and $56 season tickets) and the players were to be "drug tested." The ALL stated that with 2,500 paying fans per game, the league could break even the first year. The league introduced numerous rule changes to the sport designed to create more offense and excitement including a 25 second clearing clock and 3 long stick defenders on the filed maximum at any one time.

The ALL announced a 10-game cable TV package deal with the FNN/MSG (Madison Square Garden network), which reached at the time over 32 million television homes. As it turned out, no drug testing was ever performed on players or included in any of the player contracts. In addition, the concept of a "family atmosphere" was also a fiction as Denver Rifles co-Captain, Steve Bevelle, overheard the League owners instructing the referees in confidence prior to the first game in Boston to "put away the whistles and let the men play." The clear inference was to let the games indeed turn into the WWE but with sticks and helmets. thumb ]]

The League announced a 6-team league with each team playing 15 games. Teams were set in Boston, Baltimore, Syracuse, New Jersey, Long Island and Denver. The league attracted some of the greatest lacrosse players of the era including USA World team members and US Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductees such as Brook Sweet (University of Massachusetts), Brad Kotz (Syracuse University), Bill Bergan (Hobart College), Tim Schurr (Washington & Lee University), Peter Scott (Johns Hopkins), Steve Beville (Washington College), Gerry Byrne (University of Massachusetts), Zack Colburn (UPenn), Todd Curry (Syracuse University), Michael Burnett (UNC), John Nostrant (Washington College), Kevin Martin (Hobart College), Dan Pratt (Syracuse University), Mark Burnham (Syracuse University), Travis Solomon (Syracuse University), Greg Tarbell (Syracuse University) and Tom Rosa (Hobart College) to name just some of the 138 players drafted and signed by the league (80% of the players were All-Americans in college). Baltimore attackman, US Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee Brooks Sweet stated "Every game is going to be like Hopkins vs. Hopkins. I was skeptical at first, but when I saw the caliber of players in the league, I was impressed."

For the most part, players were assigned to teams on a regional basis to increase fan loyalty stemming from their college experiences. The Syracuse team was made up of mostly Syracuse University and Hobart College players; The Boston team made up of University of Massachusetts and Brown University players; the Baltimore team consisted of Johns Hopkins, University of North Carolina and Loyola University athletes; the Denver Rifles had players hailing from The University of Colorado, Colorado State University and Colorado College etc. Players were signed to uniform two-year contracts that paid $4,800 the first year and $6,000 in 1989. At that same time the MILL (the indoor league) was still paying its players $100 per game. The first player officially signed by the league was Greg Fisk, an All-American Midfield hailing from the University of Massachusetts and signed to the Boston Militia.

The league was a forerunner in introducing new and improved rules for the sport of lacrosse, some of which are still in vogue today. The goal was to increase the pace of play, create more offense and make the games more exciting. These rules included such innovative ideas such as a 25-second shot clock, allowing only 3 long poles permitted on the field at any one time (the college rules allowed 5 at that time), unlimited on the fly substitutions (i.e. no horns like in college) and delayed penalties on fast Breaks.

The season
The 1988 inaugural season of the ALL kicked off with three Sunday afternoon tilts on April 24, 1988. Syracuse traveled to Long Island and the turf at Hofstra University to play the Sachems (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEEdUOY2M4o&t=356s), Denver flew into Boston to face the Militia at Tufts University and The Baltimore Tribe ventured up I-95 to square off with the New Jersey Arrows.

The quality of play on the field proved to be a pleasant surprise as the games were fast, exciting and played with unprecedented skill. The problem came with the attendance or lack of attendance. Only 600 paying fans attended the New Jersey game and the following week in the hot bed of lacrosse, Baltimore, only 500 fans attended the very exciting match. The Tribes second home game drew a smaller crowd of 300 fans. On the Other hand, Denver, proved to be a pleasant surprise as 2,7000 paying patrons attended the Rifles exciting overtime victory over New Jersey.

By May 19, teams had played four games. However, it as rapidly becoming apparent that the owners had grossly misstated the amount of capital they had invested. Baltimore player checks bounced and then their General Manager abruptly resigned. Games started being postponed and the Rifles suspended operations.

As the league floundered, a few of the Long Island players encouraged Wallace and Meierdiericks to meet them in person at the bank in Long Island to pay their salaries under threat of major slashing penalties and they did.

The most definitive piece written on the league was penned by Steve Holroyd in crossecheck.com/2019/03/17/american-lacrosse-league-1988/#_edn1 The American Lacrosse League.

The teams
The Baltimore Tribe was an original six member of the American Lacrosse League, a short lived professional lacrosse league in 1988, that was based in Catonsville, Maryland. The Tribe played their home games at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The original General Manager was Bob Griebe. Mark Glagola replaced Griebe, who resigned c. May 14, 1988. Frank Messanotte was the head coach. Brooks Sweet and Brian Wood played for the Tribe. Other players were Peter and Brent Voelkel, Chris Walker, Brad Kotz, Todd Curry and goalie Gavin Moag. The team colors were Carolina Blue and White. The Tribe had a 2–2 record when the league folded.
 * Baltimore Tribe

Baltimore Tribe roster
The general manager of the Tribe was Bob Griebe and the head coach was Frank Mezzandotte.

The Boston Militia was an outdoor lacrosse team in the short lived American Lacrosse League formed in 1988. The Militia played their home games at Ellis Oval on the campus of Tufts University. The general manager for the Militia was Chris Harvey and the head coach was David Hill. The Militia compiled a record of two wins and two losses before the American Lacrosse league ceased operation due to financial difficulties. Some of the Militia's notable players were Barry Fraser, Bruce Chanenchuk and goalie Dan O'Neill.
 * Boston Militia

Boston Militia roster
The general manager of the Militia was Chris Harvey and the head coach was David Hill.


 * The Denver Rifles were one of the 6 original members of the American Lacrosse League. They were the only team west of the Mississippi river and not located in a traditional lacrosse hotbed market. The team is credited by multiple local Colorado lacrosse players and coaches along with the Vail Lacrosse shootout for jump starting the growth of lacrosse in the Rocky Mountains to where it is now a vibrant lacrosse community. Peter Scott, an All-American attackman, from Johns Hopkins University was the first player inked to a contract by the club's General Manager John Bock. Local coaching legend, Jon Barocas (a Hall of Fame High school coach from East High school in Denver who is in the Coaches Hall of fame) served as the team's assistant General manager. Barocas was credited with garnering multiple marketing opportunities for the team and its players. The legendary player Dave Devine (from Cornell University and a member of the USA World Lacrosse team) served as the team's Head Coach. The team practiced during the pre-season in the famed City Park of Denver causing many patrons to wonder what men with sticks were doing running around with the ducks and the geese. The Rifles would eventually lead the league in attendance during the regular season due to the efforts of Bock and Barocas. The team colors were Red with white and blue trim. The Jerseys were red with royal blue shorts.

Denver Rifles roster



 * Long Island Sachems
 * New Jersey Arrows

New Jersey Arrows roster



 * Syracuse Spirit

April 24
Goals Boston Steve Glover 4, Barry Fraser 3, Steve Gistrelis 2, Todd Francis, Greg Canella, Bill Bergan, Tom Gagnon; Denver Sam Hovey 3, Peter Scott3, Chris Rossi 2, Jim Guthrie, Dave Traylor, Rick Parietti, Terry Claasen, Dave DiSciorio, Ray Stoughton. Assists Boston Steve Heffernan 2, Jeff Hacker 2, Dave Desko 2, Golver, Fraser, Fisk; Denver Hover 3, Scott 2, Tim Kisielnicki. Saves Boston Andy Soma 9 Denver Danny Cisneros 24.
 * Syracuse 13 @ Long Island 17 a great YouTube of this game can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEEdUOY2M4o&t=65s
 * Baltimore W 17 @ New Jersey L 10, Attendance 600
 * Denver W 14 @ Boston L 13

May 1

 * Syracuse 17 @ New Jersey 15
 * Boston 14 @ Baltimore 11 Attendance 500
 * Denver 13 @ Long Island 14

May 8
Scoring
 * Syracuse 19 @ Baltimore 13 Attendance 300
 * New Jersey 12 @ Denver 13 OT Attendance 2,700

1st Quarter

1. NJ Trabuksy (Keough), 14:07 (Man up)

2. NJ Keough (Moore) 13:13 (Man Up)

3. Denver Parietti, 10:06

4. NJ Trabuksy (Grimaldi), 7:45

5. Denver Claasen, 6:11

6. NJ Moore (Gundersen) 5:42

2nd Quarter

7. Denver Claasen 13:56 (man up)

8. Denver Kisielnicki, 9:42

9. NJ Trobulsy (Keough) 8:41 (man up)

10. Denver Scott (Hoovey) 7:32

11. NJ Gundersen (Moore) 6:08

12. Denver Stoughton (Rossie) 2:35

13. Denver Rossi 1:49

3rd Quarter

14. NJ Gundersen 8:30

15. Denver Stoughton 7:38

16. NJ Gundersen 6:22

17. Denver Guthrie (Rossi) 4:11

18. Denver Claasen :34

4th Quarter

19. Denver Hovey (Kisienicki) 9:35

20. NJ Sherwood (Trabulsy) 7:19 (Man up)

21. NJ Keough (Moore) 6:23

22. NJ Sherwood (Trabulsy) 5:46 (Man up)

23. NJ Grimaldi (Corcoran) 4:05

24. Denver Parietti (Branigan) 2:11 (man up)

Overtime

25. Scott, 2:26

Shots NJ 49, Denver 50

Saves NJ Hall, Lohan (18 saves); Denver Cisneros (24 Saves)

Man up NJ 5 of 8; Denver 2 of 4

Attendance 2,632

thumb ]]
 * Long Island 15 @ Boston 18

*May 15
| The video of this game can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXT02BipWts&t=1395s
 * Boston 15 @ Syracuse 20
 * Denver 12 @ Baltimore 22


 * Scoring - First Half

1. Balt M. Mathews (J. Nostrant) 2. Balt B. Sweet (M. Mathews) 3. Balt M. Mathews 4. Balt M. Burnett (B. Kotz) EM 5. Balt G. Moag (M. Mathews) 6. Den P. Scott 7. Balt B. Voekel 8. Balt N. Bathelemue 9. Balt B. Kotz (B. Wood) 10. Balt B. Sweet (M. Mathews) 11. Balt B. Sweet 12. Balt P. Voekel (L. Paytas) 13. Den D. DiSciorio (T. Claasen) 14. Balt M. Burnett (Sweet) 15. Den T. Claasen 16. Den C. Rossi - EM


 * Second Half

17. Balt M. Burnett 18. Balt B. Voekel (J. Nostrant) 19. Balt B. Voekel 20. Den S. Hovey (P. Scott) 21. Balt B. Kotz (M. Burnett) EM 22. Balt L. Paytas (B Kotz) 23. Den M. Branigan 24. Den S. Hovey (M. Branigan) EM 25. Balt M. Mathews (B. Wood) EM 26. Balt B. Voekel (B. Kotz) 27. Den D. DiSciorio 28. Den C. Rossi (Hovey) EM 29. Den P. Schaffer (Hovey) 30. Balt B. Kotz 31. Balt M. Burnett 32. Den P. Schaffer 33. Balt P. Voekel (M. Burnett) 34. Den P. Scott (D. DiSciorio) EM 35. Den P. Scott (S. Hovey)


 * Player Scoring
 * Baltimore M. Mathews (3G, 3A)  B. Sweet (3G, 1A)  J. Nostrant (2A) B. Kotz (3G, 3A) M. Burnett (4G, 3A) L. Paytas (1G, 1A) B. Wood (2A) P. Voekel (1G)  B. Voekel  (5G) G. Moag (1G), N. Bathelemue (1G)
 * Denver P. Scott (3G, 1A) T. Claasen (1G, 1A) C. Rossi D. (2G) Disciorio (2G, 1A) P. Schaffer (2G) S. Hovey M. (2G, 2A) Branigan (1G, 1A)

Shots Balt 37, 22 49 Den 16, 27 43

Saves Balt (Mahon) 7, 15 22 Denver Cisneros 14, 1 15  Schaffer, D 8

Face Offs Balt 10, 10 20 Den 9, 9 18


 * Man Up Balt 12 Penalties 3 goals, Denver 7 Penalties 2 goals
 * New Jersey 14 @ Long Island 17

*May 18


 * Denver Rifles fold. League owner, Wallace cited the cost of operating a western team was the main reason for the rifles demise even though the Rifles led the league in attendance through the first four games of the season.

*May 21

 * New Jersey 13 @ Syracuse 26
 * Game moved to Saturday due to Syracuse University home game on May 22
 * May 22
 * Denver @ Syracuse
 * Game not played because Denver folded
 * Long Island @ Baltimore
 * Game moved to May 21 due to Johns Hopkins home game, then cancelled due to competition from Preakness
 * Boston @ New Jersey
 * New Jersey played Syracuse on May 21 due to graduation at Montclair State, New Jersey's home field

Newspapers about ALL (link below): American Lacrosse League - Newspapers.com

Search: "American Lacrosse League Baltimore @ Denver May 15th, 1988" on YouTube for an ALL game. Also search YouTube for the American Lacrosse League Television ad 1998.