Sachem alum Doug Shanahan recently signed a contract with the Florida Launch, a newly created team of Major League Lacrosse.
Shanahan, who graduated from Sachem in 1997, is no stranger to the MLL. He has played with five teams in the MLL dating back to his rookie season in 2002 when he was the first overall selection in that year’s draft by the Bridgeport Barrage. He won his only MLL title with the Barrage in 2004.
“I’m looking forward to further helping the expansion of lacrosse in Florida with the Launch,” he said. “The feeling of making another MLL roster never gets old despite my longevity in the league.”
A resident of Florida now, Shanahan is the associate head boys lacrosse coach at St. Thomas Acquinas High in Fort Lauderdale.
Shanahan, the inaugural winner of the Tewaaraton Trophy presented to the top collegiate lacrosse player, will be inducted to the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame on May 2. Last month he was inducted to the Long Island Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
The Launch will play its inaugural game on Saturday, April 26 against the Denver Outlaws at Florida Atlantic Stadium.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro