The Interstate Box Lacrosse Association (IBLA) was a men's senior box lacrosse league based in the United States. From 2019 to 2021, the IBLA served as an official partner of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), operating as a minor developmental funnel.[1] The league was founded in 2017 to unite regional senior leagues into a system similar to the Canadian Lacrosse Association structure of men's Senior A and Senior B box lacrosse teams.[2] In 2021 there were 52 total teams playing in 17 regional leagues. The Seneca Marksmen were the most last IBLA champions, defeating the Grand Rapids Grizzlies in Lakeland, Florida on September 19, 2021.[3]
 | |
| Sport | Box lacrosse |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Ceased | 2021 |
| No. of teams | 52 |
| Country | United States |
| Last champion(s) | Seneca Marksmen (1st title) |
| Most titles | 5 teams tied with 1 |
| Official website | www.iblalacrosse.com |
The league ended in controversy when it was revealed some games leading up to the 2021 championship game had been miscounted. Additional conversations from teams meeting at the 2021 championships uncovered repeated inconsistencies in financial support from the league itself. The outcome of the controversy saw all league teams leaving for the Great Plains Box Lacrosse League (now the Box Lacrosse League), The North American Box Lacrosse League, or returning to independent operations.
History
edit2017
editColorado formed the first organized regional box lacrosse league with four teams after initial in-state competition in 2016. Seeing the success of Colorado's competition model, RBLL - Minnesota was formed using the same structure. The RBLL - Portland was also added with the Portland River Monsters and Beaverton Mountaineers, but both teams folded after one season with the first bit of controversy for the IBLA. The 2017 champions were the Parker Rangers, who took down the Hastings Walleye to capture the inaugural league title.
2018
edit
RBLL - New England and RBLL - New Jersey began play on the east coast under the IBLA structure. The midwest was organized into RBLL - Ohio and RBLL - Missouri. The second league title was awarded to the Cambridge Nor'easters after defeating the Denver Mile High Stars.
2019
editThe IBLA expanded again, adding new competition on the west coast in the form of RBLL - Arizona and RBLL - California. Additional midwest talent was also brought into the fold with RBLL - Nebraska. The Maine Northmen came out on top in the playoffs, beating the Louisville Canards 17 - 14 in the final game.
2020
editDue to the spread of COVID-19, most teams faced shortened season schedules and the league championship tournament location was moved from Boston to Pittsburgh. By the end of the summer, 10 regions were able to crown division champions. Teams from these 10 regions were invited to compete for the IBLA Nationals league championship. For group play the teams were divided into the Steel and Maple groups. The San Diego Whalers, Grand Rapids Grizzlies, Mooncrest Munitionz, Aksarben Stampede, and Louisville Canards made up the Steel group. The Maple group consisted of the Maine Northmen, Philadelphia Phunk, Charlotte Reapers, Albany Hyenas, and Minneapolis Wheat Kings.
A league milestone occurred on September 17 with the first IBLA player taken in the National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. Mooncrest Munitionz Forward Larson Sundown was drafted by the New York Riptide in round 2 with the 36th overall pick. Sundown is transferring to RIT for the 2021 NCAA Lacrosse season, meaning New York will retain his rights through the 2021-2022 season. The 2020 IBLA season concluded with 25 playoff games from September 25 – 27. For the fourth year in a row, the championship matchup was played by two teams having never reached the title game. In the lowest scoring championship game to date, the Phildalphia Phunk outlasted the Minneapolis Wheat Kings 9 - 5 to capture their first title.
2021
edit2021 saw the return of several teams that were on hiatus in 2020 due to local COVID-19 restrictions as well as continued league expansion. The newly formed RBLL - Louisiana was formed by teams in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, RBLL - Texas placed two franchises in Austin, RBLL - Florida hosted teams in Orlando and Tampa, RBLL - Maryland included four teams, and the RBLL- Empire South formed by splitting three teams off from an RBLL - New Jersey that added two expansion teams. In total, 22 different states fielded an IBLA team in 2021. The 2021 playoffs took place September 17 through September 19 at the 8,178 seat RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida. Painters tape was used to line the arena and refs decided that getting paid was overrated.[4]
Controversy arose in the second of two semi-final nationals games with the Tampa Bay Twisters taking on the Grand Rapids Grizzlies. The game concluded after the Twisters scored a sudden-death goal in second overtime to secure a seat in the finals. The League even published this game result on its social media channels and announcing the final matchup would be between the Twisters and Seneca Marksmen, only to go back just before the final and realize they had miscounted the number of goals scored in the game. As such, under further review, the Grizzlies were awarded the final spot in the finals. Some Grizzlies players having perceived from the errant record-keeping that they lost their semi-final matchup had left the arena after their game and were unable to return in time for the championship game. Shorthanded, the team fell to an overpowering Marksmen team that had not lost all season (regular, postseason, or nationals). It was later revealed that this Tampa Bay Twisters game was not the only game at the tournament to be miscounted.
Teams
editCurrent Team Locations
edit
Current Teams
edit| Team | City | Arena | Joined | Head Coach | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBLL - California | |||||
| Huntington Beach Screamin' Eagles | Huntington Beach, California | The Rinks, Huntington Beach | 2019 | ||
| Irvine Skyfire | Irvine, California | The Rinks, Irvine | 2019 | ||
| San Diego Whalers | San Diego, California | Sportsplex USA | 2020 | ||
| RBLL - Empire North | |||||
| Albany Hyenas | Albany, New York | Times Union Center | 2020 | ||
| Saugerties Nightpandas | Saugerties, New York | Kiwanis Ice Arena | 2020 | ||
| Salt City Eels | Syracuse, New York | Burnet Park Turf | 2021 | ||
| Utica Yeti Lacrosse Club | Utica, New York | Adirondack Bank Center, John F. Kennedy Civic Arena | 2021 | ||
| RBLL - Empire South | |||||
| Hudson Valley Arsenal LC | Newburgh, New York | Ice Time Center | 2021 | ||
| 845 Silver Foxes | Orangeburg, New York | Veterans Memorial Park | 2019 | ||
| NYC Spiders | New York City, New York | 2020 | |||
| RBLL - Florida | |||||
| Orlando Rockets | Orlando, Florida | TBA | 2021 | ||
| Tampa Bay Twisters | Tampa, Florida | TBA | 2021 | ||
| RBLL - Louisiana | |||||
| Baton Rouge Redfish | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Premier Soccer Center | 2021 | ||
| New Orleans Mambo | New Orleans, Louisiana | Jefferson Indoor Sports | 2021 | ||
| RBLL - Maryland | |||||
| Baltimore Bombers | Baltimore, Maryland | 2021 | |||
| Maryland Arrows | Bowie, Maryland | 2021 | |||
| Virginia Golden Bears | Washington, D.C. | 2021 | |||
| Westminster Wild | Westminster, Maryland | 2021 | |||
| RBLL - Michigan | |||||
| Detroit Hooligans | Detroit, Michigan | 2SP The Rink | 2020 | ||
| Grand Rapids Grizzlies | Grand Rapids, Michigan | East Kentwood Arena | 2020 | ||
| Rouge River Steelheads | Detroit, Michigan | TBA | 2021 | ||
| Illinois Doughboys | Naperville, Illinois | Players Indoor Sports Center | 2021 | ||
| RBLL - Minnesota | |||||
| Eastside Freeze | Cottage Grove, Minnesota | Schulz Highland Arena | 2017 | Lucas Ailport | [5] |
| Inver Grove Isotopes | Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota | Veterans Memorial Community Center | 2021 | ||
| North Metro Nordiques | Lakeville, Minnesota | Schwan Super Rink | 2018 | Jon Mitchell | [6] |
| Minneapolis Wheat Kings | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Veterans Memorial Community Centre | 2018 | Nick Midboe | |
| RBLL - Nebraska | |||||
| Aksarben Stampede | Omaha, Nebraska | Off the Wall Omaha | 2019 | Bill Wostoupal | |
| Ralston Regals | Omaha, Nebraska | Off the Wall Omaha | 2019 | Greg McManus | |
| Iowa Dogfish | Davenport, Iowa | River's Edge Arena | 2020 | Louis Deeny | [7][8] |
| RBLL - New England | |||||
| Auburn Aviators | Auburn, Massachusetts | Horgan Arena | 2019 | Jack Piatelli | [9] |
| Cambridge Nor'easters | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Simoni Rink | 2019 | Mike Vergano | [10] |
| Maine Northmen | Biddeford, Maine | Biddeford Ice Arena | 2019 | Kyle Baker | [11] |
| RBLL - New Jersey | |||||
| Delco Devils | Broomall, Pennsylvania | Marple Sports Arena | 2021 | ||
| Morristown Rally | Morristown, New Jersey | Mennen Arena | 2019 | ||
| Olympos Lacrosse Club | Aberdeen, New Jersey | Highline Arena | 2021 | ||
| Philadelphia Phunk | Voorhees Township, New Jersey | Flyers Skate Zone | 2019 | ||
| RBLL - Ohio | |||||
| Cincinnati Flying Pigs | Cincinnati, Ohio | Cincy Sports Nation | 2018 | ||
| Cleveland Demons | Cleveland, Ohio | 2021 | |||
| Columbus Coyotes | Columbus, Ohio | 2020 | |||
| Louisville Canards | Louisville, Kentucky | King Louie Sports Complex | 2019 | ||
| RBLL - Pacific Northwest | |||||
| Everett Express | Everett, Washington | 2018 | |||
| Portland Voodoo | Beaverton, Oregon | Indoor Goals Sports Center | 2018 | ||
| Seattle Kings | Seattle, Washington | 2020 | |||
| RBLL - Pennsylvania | |||||
| Mooncrest Munitionz | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Robert Morris University Island Sports | 2020 | ||
| Pittsburgh Gnomes | Cheswick, Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena | 2020 | ||
| Seneca Marksmen | Salamanca, New York | Allegany Community Center | 2021 | ||
| RBLL - Rocky Mountain | |||||
| Denver Otters | Denver, Colorado | 2021 | |||
| Salt Lake Storm | Salt Lake City, Utah | 2021 | |||
| RBLL - Southeast | |||||
| Charlotte Reapers | Charlotte, North Carolina | 2020 | |||
| East Cobb Hedgehogs | Atlanta, Georgia | 2020 | |||
| Nashville Ignite | Nashville, Tennessee | TSC Indoor Soccer Arena | 2020 | ||
| RBLL - Texas | |||||
| Austin Jazz | Austin, Texas | The Crossover | 2021 | ||
| Austin Scorpions | Austin, Texas | Rock Sports Arena | 2021 | ||
Association Champions
edit| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score | Location | Venue | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Parker Rangers | Hastings Walleye | 22 — 2 | Lakewood, Colorado | Foothills Fieldhouse | |
| 2018 | Cambridge Nor'easters | Denver Mile HighStars | 14 — 6 | Lakeville, Minnesota | Lakeville Hasse Arena | |
| 2019 | Maine Northmen | Louisville Canards | 17 — 14 | Huntington Beach, California | The Rinks - Huntington Beach | [12] |
| 2020 | Philadelphia Phunk | Minneapolis Wheat Kings | 9 — 5 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | RMU Island Sports Center | [13] |
| 2021 | Seneca Marksmen | Grand Rapids Grizzlies | 10 — 2 | Lakeland, Florida | RP Funding Center |
Rules
editIBLA rules are nearly identical to NLL rules with minor adjustments to account for slight arena dimension variations.[14]
Notable League Rules:
- Diving is Allowed
- Face-off clamps are allowed
- Shot clock runs on man-down kill
Awards
editNotable players
edit- Isaiah Davis-Allen (Virginia Golden Bears) - PLL (Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club)
- Casey Dowd (Maine Northmen) - MLL (Denver Outlaws)
- George Downey (Philadelphia Phunk) - NLL (New England Black Wolves, Philadelphia Wings)
- Brad Gillies (Maine Northmen) - NLL (Rochester Knighthawks, Halifax Thunderbirds)
- Jules Heningburg (Minneapolis Wheat Kings) - PLL (Redwoods Lacrosse Club), NLL (San Diego Seals, New England Black Wolves)
- Will Jennings (Maine Northmen) - MLL (Boston Cannons)
- Dylan Maltz (Virginia Golden Bears) - PLL (Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club)
- David Mather (Seattle Kings) - NLL (New York Riptide) - Team USA 2015 & 2019
- Bill O'Brien (Philadelphia Phunk) - NLL (New England Black Wolves)
- Bobby Schmitt (Louisville Canards) - MLL (Ohio Machine)
- Tim Semisch (Nashville Ignite) - NFL (Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers)
- Chris Shevins (Detroit Hooligans, Minneapolis Wheat Kings) - MLL (Ohio Machine)
- Larson Sundown (Mooncrest Munitionz) - NLL (2020 Draft selection by the New York Riptide with round 2 pick 36)
- Corbyn Tao (Minniapolis Wheat Kings) - NLL (Colorado Mammoth, Minnesota Swarm)
- Ty Thompson (Albany Hyenas) - Iroquois Nationals, PLL (Chrome Lacrosse Club)
- Chad Toliver (Louisville Canards) - MLL (Philadelphia Barrage)
- Rachel Vallarelli (New York City Spiders, Cambridge Nor'Easters) - NLL New York Riptide Arena Lacrosse League ALL (Whitby Steelhawks)
- Brain O'Gorman ( Hudson Valley Snappers. Hudson Valley Arsenal) -HVBLL Mahopac Water Panthers - NLL New York Riptide.
References
edit- ^ "National Lacrosse League Partners With IBLA to Further Grow the Sport of Lacrosse". NLL.com. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ "History". IBLA. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ "VISTA Today's Weekend Warrior Wins National Championship with His Semi-Pro Lacrosse Team". vista.today. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ^ "2021 IBLA Nationals". iblalacrosse.com. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "Freeze, Wheat Kings set for rematch in finals". Ludwig Media. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ "RBLL- Minnesota Preview". IBLA. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ "IBLA Announces Expansion". IBLA. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- ^ "Lacrosse Finds Its Footing in Iowa". Medium. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ "Lacrosse: These Aviators don't mind being boxed at Horgan Arena". telegram.com. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ "Nor'Easters bring box lacrosse to Cambridge". Wicked Local. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ "Maine's first box lacrosse team brings the fastest-growing game indoors". News Center Maine. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ "Box lacrosse team from Biddeford wins national title". Sun Journal. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ "Updated IBLA Nationals Date/Venue Announcement". IBLA. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ "Rules". IBLA. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ "IBLA and NLL Announce Formation of Top 25 Prospect List". IBLA. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "IBLA Top 25 Prospect List". IBLA. Retrieved 2 October 2020.