Senior lacrosse player Todd Baxter played for England in the World Lacrosse Championships in July. Photo courtesy of www.LaxImages.com
This summer, in the shadow of soccer’s World Cup, lacrosse held its own version of a world cup, a relatively small blip on the sports media radar screen. But for one University of Denver athlete, it was still an unforgettable event.
“It was an amazing experience,” says Todd Baxter, one of a select few chosen to play in the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England, in July. The competition featured the best players from 30 nations.
Baxter, a senior business major and DU lacrosse squad standout, says his family was very proud of his making England’s team. His father is from England (hence he was eligible to play on the English team), and his mother was a member of the U.S. women’s national team in field hockey and lacrosse.
“I really enjoyed the camaraderie of my English teammates,” he says. “Even though I was from the U.S., they accepted me on and off the field. We went to battle for each other every time the whistle blew. Those are the memories not everyone gets to experience and that last a lifetime.”
It’s not surprising the team took to Baxter; during the tournament he racked up eight goals and nine assists, second on the team in total points. England placed fifth overall.
One of his more memorable moments: playing against the U.S. team. “I’ll never forget that game. Being on the opposing team and listening to ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ sent chills through my body,” he says. “Every lacrosse fan in Manchester was there to catch the best players in the world in battle against the host nation of England. Team USA came out on top 17–5 [and eventually won the tournament], but I’ll never forget it.”
At DU, Baxter has turned heads regularly. In his last two seasons, he’s scored 28 goals and registered 15 assists for 43 points. He has scooped up 45 ground balls and caused four turnovers. During the 2010 season, he started every game, scoring 13 goals and dishing out nine assists.
DU lacrosse Head Coach Bill Tierney has worked with the English national team and says he had a good idea of what the squad was seeking. “They wanted steady, hard-working, team-oriented players, and that’s exactly what they got in Todd,” Tierney says. “Having Todd at DU is a true blessing.”
Baxter credits the DU coaching staff for sharing “an enormous amount of knowledge” that he used playing at the championships.
“DU has developed me into a multidimensional player,” Baxter says.
So will Baxter play at the next lacrosse world championships in 2014, which will be held at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver’s backyard?
“It’s definitely a close and exciting venue, and the people in Denver are enthusiastic about the sport,” he says. “I am leaning toward playing again, but I can’t ink myself in because I just don’t know where I will be in four years. It would be exciting to strive for a medal again.”