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Home , Major League Lacrosse, San Francisco Dragons

Springfield has a rich tradition of elite players. Every year, our Boys Program honor exceptional alumni by having the entire program wear that player’s name and number on its shooting shirts. In its inaugural year (2014), SCLC recognized #22 ‐ Greg Campbell. Due to Greg’s impact on Springfield’s most accomplished players, SCLC decided to permanently refer to this honor as the “Campbell Alumni Award” presented to alumni who exemplify “Springfield Pride” and continuously support and give back to the Springfield Lacrosse Community. In 2017, the Campbell Alumni Award is presented to (number 32), Springfield High School Class of 2002. The story of Greg Gurenlian’s lacrosse career started when he asked his father to buy him a lacrosse stick a few days before Christmas. That stick sat in the corner of his room for several years until the fall of 8th grade when he and his dad happened upon a lacrosse practice on their way to a travel soccer game. When his dad asked Greg what they were doing with the football helmets and sticks Greg explained to him “That’s lacrosse!” That night they discussed it, decided to let him play, and signed him up for Springfield AA lacrosse in the spring.

It wasn’t an easy road for Greg. He was assigned to the A2 team with kids who had more years of experience. He really struggled at first and didn’t get many passes thrown his way. His dad asked if he really wanted to do this. Greg’s response – “This is going to make me a better player” and every day he worked hard in the backyard shooting and running. One day his dad saw him practicing face‐offs and asked him “Why?” Greg laughed and said “It’s the only way I can get the ball.”

And so was born the best Face‐Off Specialist in the game and the cornerstone of the Gurenlian family influence on Springfield Lacrosse. Greg went on to play at Springfield High School and won the Campbell Award as the MVP in his Junior and followed it up as Captain and MVP in his Senior season. Heavily recruited by several NCAA Division I schools, his dream school, Penn State was the first to call. Greg spent 4 years at PSU where he left with his name throughout the record books including Career Face‐Off Wins (608).

Nicknamed the “Beast,” Gurenlian went on to become one of the most decorated face‐off men in the history of . In 2015 alone, he was the first Face‐Off Specialist ever to be named MLL League MVP, and was also named MLL/US Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year and MLL Face‐Off Man of the Year. Greg also holds the MLL records for Most FO Wins in a Season (280), Highest FO% in a Season (73.2%) and Most Ground Balls in a Season (175). On top of all this, Gurenlian is also the Face‐Off Specialist for Team USA. Following is from an Inside Lacrosse article by Kyle Devitte:

“Gurenlian started his career with the Rochester Rattlers in 2006, but shot to prominence after two successful seasons with the now defunct Dragons in 2007 and 2008. He was picked up by the Machine franchise in 2009, but did not play until he was dealt to the Lizards franchise in 2010. In seven seasons with the Lizards, Gurenlian won 1,349 of 2,182 draws in the regular season for a 61.8% winning percentage. The Lizards made the playoffs four times during Beast’s tenure, winning the MLL championship in 2015. Gurenlian’s playoff numbers are as impressive as his regular season stats ‐ he has gone 90‐150 at the X for a 60% winning percentage in his career. Gurenlian has also played in five All Star games in his MLL career. His statistics entering his final season place him among the best to ever play the game: 42 goals, 33 assists, a 59.1% success rate at the face‐off dot and 925 ground balls.

In addition to his MLL career, Gurenlian runs one of the most successful face‐off training organizations in the Face Off Academy that trains student athletes in advanced face‐off techniques. The FOA has produced multiple All Americans at the high school and collegiate level since its inception in 2012.

If he’s not the best face‐off man of all time, he’s at the very least in the top two. There will be those that argue for , Alex Smith or as the top dog, but in terms of effectiveness and longevity ‐ no one did it more consistently or better than the Beast.”

If you ever have the opportunity to listen to Greg speak to our kids, he always brings up “Hard Work,” “Determination” and “Springfield Pride.” Greg personifies these qualities and is sure to tell everyone that the best lacrosse players in the world come from a little town in Delaware County, PA – Zip Code 19064. In 2017, we’re privileged to wear #32 in honor of Springfield’s own Greg Gurenlian.

Read on for some quotes from those who know Greg the best: “I had the honor of playing alongside Greg Gurenlian in high school. When it came to face‐offs, I can honestly say there was no one better, but Greg's dominance at the X is not what I remember most about him. His passion for the game, love of his teammates, and sheer determination to do whatever it took to help his team win is what I think of first. Greg's enormous heart and relentless hustle on the field was unparalleled. His work ethic drove those around him to challenge themselves and pushed us to give everything we had for the betterment of the team.” Ryne Adolph – Springfield High School Defensive Coordinator; SHS Class of 2003

“Greg is one of the bright lights in this sport someone who has perfected his trade and has taken it upon himself to spread his knowledge and make an impact on the young players of the world. As Greg often says "knowledge is power” and he uses his knowledge to be a great power in our sport.” Joe Spallina – Major League Lacrosse, Lizards Head Coach

"Greg has been the ultimate teammate for the many years we have played with him. He is a leader by example and his work ethic and dedication to his craft is second to none. Most importantly Greg is a tremendous role model for a younger generation of players, and has given more back to the sport of lacrosse than he has taken from it." Drew Adams – Teammate at PSU, Long Island Lizards and Team USA; SHS Class of 2005 – Teammate at Long Island Lizards and Team USA; SHS Class of 1999

“Most lacrosse coaches would be thrilled to win 75% of faceoffs in a game. If they could win ¾ of draws in a game with stiff competition they would be ecstatic. The fact that Greg won nearly 75% of faceoffs over a MLL season is an accomplishment that may never be topped. Greg overcame the stiffest competition possible, multiple opponents with schemes specifically designed to stop him. Greg has revolutionized the faceoff position. Philosophies such as athlete first, lacrosse player second and FOGO third have given kids the correct mind set to be successful. Greg and his brothers approach to teaching faceoff technique and strategy have been copied at the highest levels including at where a dedicated faceoff coach was instrumental in the 2017 NCAA DI National Championship. Finally, it’s good to see his “hair game” has improved since his rookie year.” Kevin Keenan – Springfield High School Class of 1995; Penn State University; Major League Lacrosse Barrage

Greg Gurenlian (‘02), Kyle Sweeney (‘99), Kevin Keenan (‘95) circa 2006