Doc Returns

7/14/10 11:03 AM

Doc Returns

By Derek McLean

Fans watching the 2010 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game in Boston saw a familiar figure in one of the goals. Brian Dougherty has played in and won more games than any goalie in Major League Lacrosse history. He retired after the end of the 2009 season, to spend time with his wife and year and a half year old daughter Mia. But the US Lacrosse Hall of Famer returned to the league, at least briefly, when he participated in the Major League Lacrosse All-Star game, for the US Men’s National Team.

Throughout the game “Doc”, which he is often referred to by his peers, was back to his usual self as being fun, energetic, and dazzling. To the delight of the fans, Dougherty played almost the entire game, holding the MLL All-Stars to a mere 12 goals for the win. The results are not surprising. He had been looking forward to playing in the game for while.

“I’m pretty pumped up,” said Doc prior to the game. “I haven’t played all year in MLL competition, so I’m looking forward to going out there again. I always like coming up here to Boston, and playing up here, so I’m pretty pumped up.”

In the game Dougherty faced a lot of his former teammates. One of those players was Matt Danowski who played with him on the Long Island Lizards last season. Danowski scored 2 goals and an assist against Doc in the game.

The night before Danowski had already prepared himself on what to expect, when facing his old teammate, “I’m looking forward to playing against Doc. He’s the best trash talker in the game, so I’m going to go in real strong headed, and very calm, and not let him get to me. “

The All-Star game served as the final tune up for the US National Team before they left for Manchester, England to compete in the Lacrosse World Games. Being a member of Team USA has required a high level of commitment from Dougherty and his teammates.

“We’ve been in training camp sleeping on single beds,” he says. “I feel like a lacrosse camper.”

Most of the players on Team USA are currently in Major League Lacrosse. While having the responsibility of taking care of his family, Dougherty couldn’t imagine juggling the high commitment level of playing in the MLL as well.

“Commitment is very big, when you have a family. I can’t imagine these MLL guys flying all over the country playing in the MLL, then flying back across the country playing for USA. They then go back to the MLL and back to the USA. So it’s a pretty big commitment, but they let you know what the commitment is going to be beforehand. So either you’re in or you’re out.”

But the intense commitment level is necessary for the players of Team USA. Doc knows the challenges that lie ahead of them. Teams like Canada, the Iroquois nation, and perhaps South Korea.

“Definitely I’m afraid of the South Koreans,” says Dougherty. “Cause you never know what those crazy guys are going to do.”

Doc tried out for Team USA almost a year ago. He was selected from a pool consisting of over 80 of the best lacrosse players in the country. The roster was eventually narrowed down to a group of 23 players who will be representing Team USA in England. But part of what drove Doc to playing for the team, was the chance to play with some of his old teammates.

“It’s something that I haven’t had a chance to play. I didn’t play for USA in 2002 and 2006. But I really just wanted to play with Ryan Boyle again. We had so much success with the Garbage’ for so many years.”

The Garbage’ he was referring to is his old Philadelphia Barrage team. The group won the MLL Championship in 2006 and 2007 and then reached the playoffs in 2008 while playing their “home” games at various neutral sites. Along the way, the team adopted the Garbage’ nickname and used it as a rallying cry.

Another former teammate from both Philadelphia and Long Island who will be joining Dougherty on the US National Team is Matt Zash.

“With Doc, it’s never a dull moment to say the least,” says Zash. “I got the chance to play with him for a number of years. He’s a great guy to play in front of. You always know where you are on the field because he never shuts up. “

While most national team members have prepared for the World Games by playing in the MLL, Dougherty has had to find other ways to stay game ready. This past year, he played in the American Lacrosse League for a team called GMH- Philadelphia. The American Lacrosse League consists of all of the top club lacrosse teams from around the Northeast. It is the largest men’s post collegiate club lacrosse league in the country. This year GMH- Philadelphia won the league Championship and Doc was named the game’s MVP. While the league is not on the same skill level or competitiveness as Major League Lacrosse it has been a great way for Doc to keep getting reps.

“I’m just getting shot on, getting hit with a couple of balls. You can’t totally walk away from it. Especially coming into a place like the World Games, you’ve got to be on your game.”

Dougherty has also spent much of his time as an assistant coach and recruiter for the University of Pennsylvania men’s lacrosse team. There he has the opportunity to coach with an old friend from the league, as well as get some reps of his own.

“I was down at Penn. John Christmas was one of the other coaches on the team. A couple of kids shoot on me. So that’s how I got my fix.”

Dougherty played his final season in the MLL with the Long Island Lizards last year. The team finished the regular season with a 6-6 record, before losing in the semifinals by one goal to the Toronto Nationals. While starting every game that season, Doc also played the role of mentor. The Lizards had spent one of their 2009 third round draft picks on a goalie out of Penn State name Drew Adams. Throughout the season Dougherty taught Adams how to succeed in Major League Lacrosse.

“Drew’s going to be alright,” says Dougherty. “I’ve coached him since he was younger, than he was on the team last year. I knew I was heading out, so I kind of did my best to get him ready for what to expect. Taking me out of the whole thing, the kid’s one of the most talented kids in the MLL.”

So far this season Adams has started every game for the Lizards this season.

Today Brian Dougherty wakes up to the blaring sound of Barney on the television. The legendary Major League Lacrosse goalie is facing a new and unfamiliar challenge, waking up at 7 am.

“I used to wake up around 12:30- 1 o’clock, but now I have a kid.” Much of his days are now scheduled around spending time and taking care of his little girl and wife.

“I’ve actually been in bed around 9 or 10 o’clock. It’s a completely different life style,” he says. “I’ve been changing a lot of poopie diapers.”

As of now Dougherty is enjoying his retirement and has no plans on returning. However he has not ruled out the slight possibility of a comeback.

“Never say never. But I doubt it,” says Doc. Part of his decision to come back will be based on how his legacy will be remembered by his peers. He also cares about the opinion of ESPN announcer Quint Kessenich, who has not rated Doc as high as he would like.

“If Quint keeps picking me the second best goalie ever in the MLL, I might have to come back 1 or 2 more years and let him know.”

The decision may possibly come down to whether or not Dougherty makes the MLL 10Year Anniversary team, which any lacrosse enthusiast has the opportunity to vote on the best players to play in the league history online on Majorleaguelacrosse.com and will be decided on August 9^th. As much as Doc would love the honor, he claims that he has not yet voted.

But for now Team USA may be Dougherty’s last time on a big stage with elite competition. This is not all bad. He has taken up the new opportunities including driving his daughter to camp, having dinner with his wife, and showing college kids how to become better lacrosse players.

“It’s a completely different life style,” says Dougherty. However with his work effort and lovable personality, there is no doubt his post lacrosse life, will be any less successful than it was while he was playing.

2010 Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend presented by Warrior

August 21-22, Annapolis, MD

For information and tickets go to www.majorleaguelacrosse.com