Spring Break
Crystal, Filippone selected in Major League Lacrosse draft
By: Brett Fischer
Issue date: 6/8/07 Section: Sports
Originally published: 6/8/07 at 3:00 AM EST
Last update: 6/8/07 at 3:00 AM EST
Originally published: 6/8/07 at 3:00 AM EST
Last update: 6/8/07 at 3:00 AM EST
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Generally speaking, a college athlete's career ends after graduating; however, for two Drexel athletes, it's only the beginning.
Adam Crystal and Mike Filippone of the men's lacrosse team became members of Major League Lacrosse after being picked up in the league's May 31 draft.
Crystal was chosen by the Long Island Lizards with the first pick in the fourth round, while Filippone was selected by the defending champion Philadelphia Barrage with the last pick in the draft.
Crystal was the 2007 CAA Defensive Player of the Year, a three-time All-CAA Selection and an Honorable Mention All-America selection. He was also a four-year starter and a two-year captain.
The All-American said that it is hard to imagine playing for the lacrosse team he grew up idolizing.
"Just to be drafted is amazing," Crystal said. "It's something I've wanted to happen for a long time and it's been a dream of mine. The fact that I was drafted by my hometown team is incredible. I've been to their games, grew up a fan and now to be a part of this team and play with guys I grew up watching is unreal."
Co-captain Filippone was fourth on the team in scoring and tied for second in assists. More impressively, he won over 350 face-offs in his career and finished ninth in the country in face-off percentage.
Filippone said that after Philadelphia passed him in the third round of the draft, he didn't think he was going to get picked.
"Earlier in the day, we got to talk to all the GMs," Filoppone said. "I knew my only chance was with Philadelphia. After Philadelphia's third pick, I thought I wasn't going to get drafted. I thought Philadelphia only had three picks, but then I found out that they had one more."
Attending the MLL draft was a bit nerve-racking for Crystal, but having Filippone by his side made the process much easier for him. They both had one more opportunity to support each other as Drexel Dragons.
"I was nervous and didn't know a lot of people, so it helped having Mike there with me," Crystal said. "We sat next to each other during the draft and when both of our names were called, the other was just as happy. It was special being with a good friend like Mike and having him go through everything with me."
Adam Crystal and Mike Filippone of the men's lacrosse team became members of Major League Lacrosse after being picked up in the league's May 31 draft.
Crystal was chosen by the Long Island Lizards with the first pick in the fourth round, while Filippone was selected by the defending champion Philadelphia Barrage with the last pick in the draft.
Crystal was the 2007 CAA Defensive Player of the Year, a three-time All-CAA Selection and an Honorable Mention All-America selection. He was also a four-year starter and a two-year captain.
The All-American said that it is hard to imagine playing for the lacrosse team he grew up idolizing.
"Just to be drafted is amazing," Crystal said. "It's something I've wanted to happen for a long time and it's been a dream of mine. The fact that I was drafted by my hometown team is incredible. I've been to their games, grew up a fan and now to be a part of this team and play with guys I grew up watching is unreal."
Co-captain Filippone was fourth on the team in scoring and tied for second in assists. More impressively, he won over 350 face-offs in his career and finished ninth in the country in face-off percentage.
Filippone said that after Philadelphia passed him in the third round of the draft, he didn't think he was going to get picked.
"Earlier in the day, we got to talk to all the GMs," Filoppone said. "I knew my only chance was with Philadelphia. After Philadelphia's third pick, I thought I wasn't going to get drafted. I thought Philadelphia only had three picks, but then I found out that they had one more."
Attending the MLL draft was a bit nerve-racking for Crystal, but having Filippone by his side made the process much easier for him. They both had one more opportunity to support each other as Drexel Dragons.
"I was nervous and didn't know a lot of people, so it helped having Mike there with me," Crystal said. "We sat next to each other during the draft and when both of our names were called, the other was just as happy. It was special being with a good friend like Mike and having him go through everything with me."
