Canisius College men's lacrosse graduates Adam
Jones (Owen Sound, Ontario) and Dan Coates (St. Catharines, Ontario)
were both selected in the first round of the 2011 National Lacrosse League
Draft on Wednesday night. Both players are set to join the Colorado Mammoth
with Jones being selected with the third overall pick and Coates with the
eighth.
The two Golden Griffin standouts are the
fifth and sixth Canisius student-athletes picked in the first round under head
coach Randy Mearns, joining Mark Miyashita in 2003, Matt Vinc and Dan
Carey in 2005 and Kevin Ross in 2007. The number three overall selection for
Jones is the second-highest pick for a Canisius graduate Ð Miyashita was the
first overall draftee eight years ago.
The program's first All-American, Jones
accumulated 129 points and 98 goals during his career. He ranks sixth in the
program's history in career goals and 10th in career points despite missing
most of his senior campaign due to injury. During both his freshman and
sophomore season, Jones led all midfielders in Division I in goals.
A three-time first-team All-MAAC honoree,
Jones also enjoyed success during his college career away from Canisius. He was
selected as the Most Valuable Player and the Top Midfielder at the 2008 U-19
Men's Lacrosse World Championship and twice led his club team, the Orangeville
Northmen, to a Minto Cup Championship.
Coates anchored the Canisius defense during
his four-year collegiate career. The St. Catharines, Ontario native became the
first Griff defender to earn first-team All-MAAC accolades during the 2011
season. He led Canisius with 52 ground balls, while placing second on the team
with 18 caused turnovers. Coates also led all MAAC defenders with 4.33 ground
balls per game in 2011 and totaled 113 ground balls and 40 caused turnovers
during his career.
The duo helped lead the Griffs to 23 wins
during their tenure, including a school-record 10 victories in 2008 and the
program's first MAAC Championship.