A group of Pioneers alumni are redefining “goal oriented” and doing so in an unusual way.
They are scoring goals for the Outlaws, Denver’s new professional lacrosse team.
The Outlaws’ 26-man roster includes four former Pioneers players: attacker Matt Brown, BSBA ’05; defenseman Tom Ethington, BSBA ’02; midfielder Mike Law, BSBA ’01; and defenseman Cory Vann, BSBA, MACC ’05. Goalie Brian Sanders, BA ’06, and Pioneers men’s lacrosse Assistant Coach Jon Torpey (a defenseman) are on the Outlaws practice squad.
How did the Pioneers become Outlaws?
“They’re all fantastic players,” says Outlaws General Manager Brian Reese, who drafted the Pioneers. “And, we want players with local ties who help promote lacrosse.”
DU is building a strong lacrosse program that, Reese predicts, will continue to “put out great players.”
The alumni agree. “DU lacrosse has come so far. It’ll be one of the top teams in the next couple of years,” says Law.
“DU [men’s] lacrosse coach Jamie Munro has done a great job transforming the program.”
With the uncertainty that comes with pro athletic careers, the former Pioneers players are staying busy between their six home and six away games. Brown coaches lacrosse in Arizona during the off-season, Ethington is a finance director, Law is attending the DU law school, and Vann is an accountant.
But, they all say they hope to keep playing for as long as possible. “I’ll play for as long as they keep letting me in the arena,” Ethington says with a laugh.