Honeywell takes best shot at pro career
6/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – During the month of May Dan Honeywell was a busy man. The former Mountain Hawk received his bachelor’s degree from Lehigh on May 18, while on May 27 the New York native headed to Hoboken, New Jersey where he competed at the 2009 Brine Major League Challenge. Honeywell was one of 40 of the nation’s top graduating men’s lacrosse players to participate in the Brine Major League Challenge where he was afforded one final chance to be evaluated by MLL personnel for the 2009 Draft. Although Honeywell did not get drafted, it proved to a valuable experience for him. “Overall it was a great experience,” Honeywell said. “I can’t say enough about the professionalism and genuine interest that every coach and general manager at the combine showed.”
Through the help of Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese, Honeywell was notified that he had been invited to the tryout. Going in, he was not sure of what to expect. “I kept my expectations low because I had not played in over a month and I wasn’t really sure of what to expect.” Once Honeywell got there, he and the other players in attendance were put through a series of tests, including the 40-yard dash, agility drills and a strength test. Following that it was onto lacrosse specific drills and finally, it was game time. “The game was definitely the most fun part of the entire day. Following that we had a chance to meet with every coach and general manager from the Major League Lacrosse franchises.”
Honeywell says that his time in the Brown and White fully prepared him for the rigors of professional lacrosse. “I was completely prepared for the combine. Coach Cassese is doing the right things with the program and really preparing his players for life in the real world or in professional lacrosse.” He continued, “While I was disappointed that I did not get drafted I can’t wait to see what Coach does with the Lehigh program and hopefully down the road, we’ll see more Lehigh guys being drafted into the MLL.”
“Dan had a tremendous career as a Mountain Hawk,” Cassese explained. “He established himself as one of the most dominant one-on-one defenders in the entire Patriot League. Dan’s strength, power and his overall athletic prowess make him a great candidate for Major League Lacrosse and I would not be surprised to see him surface on an MLL roster at some point down the road.”
When asked if he does intend on pursuing a professional career, Honeywell is quick to answer. “Next year I plan on getting into the best possible shape and giving it another shot. That’s what a lot of the people at the combine were harping on; to never give up and just keep working at it. I still have a chance to be picked up as a free agent for this season, but if not, I will have another opportunity at this time next year”
Honeywell was a two time First-Team All-Patriot League selection during his time in the Brown and White, including this past season. Honeywell totaled 32 caused turnovers and 31 ground balls in 2009, ranking second on the Mountain Hawks in CTs and tying for third in GBs. He also scored one goal, which came versus nationally ranked North Carolina.
A two-time captain, Honeywell totaled three or more ground balls in six games as a senior and he caused at least three turnovers in six games, with a career-high of six in the opener versus St. Joseph’s. For his career, Honeywell started nearly every game at Lehigh and totaled 102 ground balls and four goals.
