University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Alum Brian Jacovina Signs With The Boston Cannons
July 16, 2007 | Men's Lacrosse
July 16, 2007
BOSTON, Mass. - Former UMass midfielder Brian Jacovina has signed with the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse. He will reunite with former teammates Brett Garber and Dan Whipple, along with UMass assistant coach and Cannons goaltender Jake Coon. He will join the team in time for Boston's game against Rochester on Thursday. "I'm very excited to get to play against the best players, not only in the United States, but the world," Jacovina said. "I'm looking forward to it; I'm excited."
Jacovina is the fourth '07 graduate to make an MLL roster this season. The other three were selected in the 2007 Collegiate Draft. Garber (38th overall) and Whipple (48th overall) were chosen by the Cannons while Andrew Recchione (47th overall) was selected by the San Francisco Dragons.
Jacovina is glad he ended up on the same team as some long time friends. "It will be a great experience. I played with Garber and Whipple the past four years, so it's pretty ironic that we all wound up on the same team. I've shot on Coach Coon during and after practice. I look forward to shooting on him during practice and then being able to play with him."
On Wednesday, Jacovina accepted an assistant coaching position at St. John's. As he said, it's been a memorable week. "It's been one of the best weeks of my life. [First], I get a job that really interested me. I'm looking forward to working with Coach Miller and Coach Paccione, also UMass guys. Being able to go into an MLL team knowing a handful of people will probably make my adjustment easier. I'm coming in mid year where the rest of the guys have been there for the whole year. I'm sure they'll guide me and make my life easier."
Jacovina was one of the most accomplished players in UMass lacrosse history. The highlight of his time was in 2006, when the Minutemen went farther than any team in program history: the National Finals. A year prior, the two-way midfielder was named Team MVP, leading UMass to the National Quarterfinals.
The Cannons host the Rochester Rattlers on Thursday, July 19, in a game full of UMass ties. Jeff Zywicki ('05) and Jack Reid ('06) don Rochester colors while Garber ('07), Whipple ('07), and Jacovina ('07) play for Boston. Coon is Boston's starting net minder while former UMass Head Coach Ted Garber serves as assistant coach. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 at 7:00 p.m. For tickets, call 1-888-847-9700 or visit BostonCannons.com.
