Book it: Brooks is a national champ
Just a few hours before the start of the Major League Lacrosse collegiate draft Wednesday night, draft-hopeful Steven Brooks was busy moving out of his residence on the campus of Syracuse University.
Two days earlier, the bearded one and his Orange teammates won the 10th NCAA national title in the program's New York Yankees-like history.
A couple of weeks ago, Brooks graduated with a degree in informational studies and technology.
"Computer stuff," he explained.
Talk about overload. Brooks' hectic schedule this month might make even the indefatigable lacrosse player tired. The Libertyville graduate has been so busy that he hasn't had time for a haircut.
Not that he would.
"I told people that I'm not going to get a haircut until we win the national championship," Brooks said. "That was back in September."
Wearing his "playoff beard" with bangs down to his lips, Brooks looked like a rock star Monday at Gillette Stadium in Foxsboro, Mass., and he and his teammates simply rocked the place. Behind junior midfielder Dan Hardy's 3 goals, the Orange rallied from a 4-2 deficit after one quarter to defeat Johns Hopkins 13-10 in front of an NCAA Championship and outdoor title game record 48,970 fans. Brooks had a goal and 2 assists.
"Unbelievable experience," he said.
Brooks enjoyed a similar experience in 2004, his freshman year. That was the last time Syracuse reigned as the best men's lacrosse team in the nation.
"This one means a lot more," Brooks said, "because it's senior year and you lead the team. You take the team under your wing. It feels better because you're more of a part of it and you have more responsibility."
Brooks took full advantage of his senior season, earning first-team All-American honors and being named midfielder of the year, as the Orange went 16-2. The 6-foot-2, 192-pounder started all 18 games for the Orange, establishing career bests in goals with 28 and assists with 13. He scored 67 goals in his Orange career.
A day after the Orange won the national title, Syracuse's Web site was already promoting a collector's edition DVD. It includes 2008 season highlights, exclusive behind-the-scene content from the locker room and sideline, exclusive retrospective interviews with coaches and student-athletes, and even features highlighting the 25th anniversary of the Orange's 1983 national championship and 2008 women's historic record-breaking season.
It can be yours for just $19.95, plus shipping and handling.
"I got to get one of those!" Brooks said.
He was expecting to be drafted Wednesday night, well aware that the Chicago Machine is a member of the MLL.
"Moving back home, that would be nice," said Brooks, adding that "nothing can compare to winning a national title," even getting drafted by a pro team.
Playing in the MLL would essentially be a "fun hobby," Brooks said. He knows he has to find full-time employment now that he's a college graduate. Which means his hair -- "this is the longest I've ever had it," he says -- will get chopped.
"I'm going into the real world," he said. "I got to get a job."
He's got quite the resume.