Conor Whipple
How Tampa became a
national lacrosse power BY MATT HAMILTON
I
n just five years, legendary coach Rory Whipple and his startup Tampa men’s lacrosse team have formed a habit of winning. The Spartans have made three straight NCAA Division II tournaments, twice advancing to the semifinals. The rise has been so rapid for Tampa, players now try to stay grounded. “The new challenge we are beginning to have is not taking anything for granted,” said senior attackman Conor Whipple, Rory’s son. Tampa’s ascent coincides with Rory Whipple’s ability to attract quality players relatively late in the
recruiting process. He struck first with Andrew Kew, an Oakville, Ontario, native that played at the Hill Academy. Kew signed late in the fall of his senior year of high school and led the Spartans with 62 goals as a freshman in 2016. Whipple thinks he may have found another high-caliber player overlooked by Division I coaches in freshman Bryan Wright out of Moorestown, N.J. Wright broke his leg in his sophomore year, thus slowing his recruiting process during his junior year. “[Andrew Kew] was a real diamond in the rough last year,” Rory Whipple said. “I think we have another one in Bryan Wright this year. I’m really excited about the whole attack.” Those youngsters will work
alongside Conor Whipple, the one-time Georgetown recruit who led Tampa with 96 points last year. The Spartans believe the trio could help them shake up the establishment of Division II lacrosse, ruled by Le Moyne and Limestone for the past five years.
If nothing else, Rory Whipple wants a title for his son in his senior year. “I’ve been working with Conor since he was 4 or 5, so it would be really nice if we went out with a national championship,” he said.
Kew benefited from Conor Whipple’s feeding ability, leading all freshmen, regardless of division, in scoring. “Whipple and I play really well together,” Kew said. “We’re complete opposites, so he’s more of a dodge- and-dish guy, and I play the middle as a shooter. I know that when Connor has the ball, he’s constantly looking in the middle and looking for me.” Kew played box lacrosse in the
offseason and added bulk to his 6-foot-3 frame. He finished the Ontario Junior A season with 75 points, good for fifth in the league — ahead of Division I players like Adam Charalambides (Rutgers) and Chris Cloutier (North Carolina). “This is the year,” Kew said. “Look
out for Tampa. We’re going to be right in it.” USL
GULF COAST SURGE
USlaxmagazine.com February 2017 US LACROSSE MAGAZINE 39
©STACEY WYLIE
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