Gary Gait played in the National Lacrosse League for 18 years.
He is a charter member of the NLL Hall of Fame, a 6-time Most Valuable Player and a 4-time All-Star.
But for the last 11 years, he has been the head coach of the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team.
He will bring that expertise to Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday, where he will conduct a clinic for middle and high school-aged girls following the New England Black Wolves’ 1 p.m. game against the last team he played for: the Rochester Knighthawks.
“We’re going to work on just getting them excited about having the stick in their hand, developing skills, teach them something that they can kind of learn and do in about 60-90 minutes,” Gait said. “Get them excited that they can do something more than just throw the ball and catch, but instead, can have fun with the game.”
The game was certainly fun for Gait.
He began playing in 1991 for the Detroit Turbos, the first of seven NLL franchises that he would eventually be a part of.
He was a 7-time regular season leader in goals and total points and twice led the league in assists. He played in seven league championship games, including four with the Philadelphia Wings, the team that became the Black Wolves.
He and his brother Paul still own the record for most goals in an NLL game, 10, which Gary Gait accomplished against Toronto in 1999.
“When I look back on it, what stands out is the relationships I built and the people I got to know,” Gait said. “A lot of wins and losses, but it was more about the lifetime long friendships that I developed.”
Gait retired following the 2005 season as a member of the Colorado Mammoth.
He was quickly named to the NLL Hall of Fame, coached the Mammoth, and took over the Syracuse program.
But he still had an itch to scratch and, at the tender age of 41 years old, returned to box lacrosse as a member of the Knighthawks.
He played for two more years and then the beginning of a third.
“Playing for Rochester was awesome,” Gait said with a laugh. “It makes you appreciate (the game), but I also knew I was done.”
Gait left the game as No. 2 all-time in goals scored (596), points (1,091) and goals in a season (61). He’s also No. 3 in assists with 495.
Gait said he’s happy with the state of the NLL now.
The league will add two more franchises next year, including a new one in Philly.
He was a part-owner of the Washington Power and wouldn’t rule out a return in that capacity.
“Never say never,” Gait said. “I love the NLL. I always tried to stay in touch with the men’s side of the game even though I am the coach of the Syracuse women.”
He took the job, he said, because it was a good opportunity and he has been successful.
He has led the Orangewomen to seven Final Fours and two national championship games.
He’s still waiting for that elusive national title.
And it’s in that capacity that he comes to the Mohegan Sun this weekend to help instill in young women the desire to play what he considers to be one of the fastest growing sports in America.
“The high school game is evolving,” Gait said. “It will get there. I think the college coaches are taking pride in trying to move the game forward. I think women’s lacrosse is growing faster than men and there are more opportunities on the women’s side.”
He also thinks the game is becoming more “watchable” on the women’s side after recent rule changes. Those include the addition of a 90-second shot clock and “free movement.”
Collegiate players no longer have to stop where they are when the whistle is blown. They just have to grant the offensive player 6 ½ feet of room and the player must either pass or make a step before the defense can engage.
“It’s just like the men’s game,” Gait said. “I think you’re going to see more substitutions, more players on the field and a faster game. Combine that with the shot clock and I think the number of whistles decrease probably by 80 percent.”
Those interested in Gait’s clinic can register at http://www.blackwolves.com/view/blackwolves/camps-clinics/clinics.
The cost is $35, which includes a ticket to the Black Wolves game prior to the clinic. Additional game tickets can be purchased for $15.
