Some Q & A with Brodie Merrill

2X College All American while attending Georgetown and NLL and MLL Rookie of the year. 2006 World Champion for team Canada earning all tournament and defensive MVP honors. Back to back defensive player of the year honors in 06 and 07 for Rochester and may have more groundballs than any other person in NLL history when all is said and done (over 200 groundballs this year).  Walax got a chance to speak with the 09 Portland Lumberjack ALL-Star right before play-off time.

Walax: Name and number please?

BM: Brodie Merrill #17

Walax: Current stick of choice (Shaft and Head)?

BM: 9K Reebok O-Stick Shaft. 6K Reebok Head

Walax: Tell us a little about your role and operations at the Hill Academy?

BM: I serve as the Varsity Head Lacrosse Coach and Assistant Athletic Director.  I also recruit students into the program and mentor the students through the recruiting process.

Walax: Aside from Lacrosse, what other influences did you have athletically growing up?

BM: I grew up loving and playing all sports----Hockey was always my first love and definitely had a big impact on my lacrosse career.

Walax: What was the Salisbury School in Connecticut like?

BM:  Attending Salisbury was a life changing experience for me.  The difference between being a mediocre student-athlete and an exceptional student-athlete, was having the opportunity to learn and practice in an environment conducive to my academic and athletic aspirations. School and sport were essentially blended together. Academics began to drive athletics and vice versa. I always had the motivation to excel in the classroom and in athletics; I just needed the structure to allow me to channel my efforts in the right direction and Salisbury provided that for me.  My experience there was the inspiration behind my involvement with The Hill.

Walax: Any Hobbies or interests off of the field?

Pretty standard----movies, travel, books.....spend time with family and friends.

Walax: Favorite Magazine or Website?

BM: Favorite Mag: Sports Illustrated.  Website: tsn.ca (Canadian version of espn).

Walax: What basic advice do you have for High School athletes that are looking to play College lacrosse at any level?

BM: Work hard!  There are no short cuts.  If you work you will get results, if you don't your talent will fade.

Walax: Any trademark or favorite takeaways?

BM: Much to the chagrin of my coaches, the over the head check----high risk, high reward!