Lacrosse Player Sucker Punches Opponent


Check out this video from the St. Andrew’s/St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Final game in which an STA player sucker punches a Scots attackman after already being ejected from the game. The St. Andrew’s player is obviously shaken up from the hit and lays on the ground in pain (and probably disbelief) for awhile. St. Andrew’s would go on to win 20-6. What do you guys think about this hit? Necessary? Is there any time in a game that this type of behavior is warranted? Leave a comment below in either Pros or Cons.

UPDATE: The player, Jake Champion, has been punished after striking another player during a heated playoff game. Champion has since been suspended from school. He has also been suspended by the Florida High School Athletic Association, and he may face more disciplinary action.

St. Thomas’ athletic director George Smith was not pleased with Champion’s actions. “Poor sportsmanship is unacceptable of our students, athletes and parents. The student has been suspended from school for the remainder of the week, pending further disciplinary action by the Administrative Council,” he said.

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32 Comments

  1. ProConIt - Lasky ePortfolio on May 6, 2012 at 12:30 am

    […] A sample ProConIt can be viewed here, this one debating on whether or not it is OK to throw a punch in lacrosse: https://lacrosseplay.wpengine.com/lacrosse-player-sucker-punches-opponent/ […]

  2. Guest on May 4, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    You fall down and your wearing a freaking helmet, smh lames (both guys)

  3. Guest on May 4, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    You fall down and your wearing a freaking helmet, smh lames (both guys)

  4. Laa on May 3, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    That kid is the man. Hope he knocks the coaches out next!

  5. guest on May 2, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    This was completely unacceptable, to those who don’t even know, that STA douche bag has already been ejected from the game! He was being walked off the field by the refs, after punching someone else.  So not only had he already been ejected for unsportsmanlike behavior, but then  he unexpectedly punched this SA kid. There really isnt much of an excuse besides this kid (Jake Champion) has some serious problems.

    • Bigk2010 on May 8, 2012 at 2:27 am

      Granted the kid had problems but if you start chirpin a kid that just got kicked off you had better be ready to get hit yourself

  6. MN Lax Coach on May 2, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    not sure why everyone is so upset at each other for these comments… did the St Andrews kid flop a little?  yeah it didn’t like that hard of a punch, with a helmet on he should hopefully recover just fine.  that being said, it was an extremely cheap shot, so yes he should definitely be thrown out of the game, rest of the season, and a certain number of games next year as i’m sure their season is already over.  personally i would have liked to see a stronger reaction from the STA coaches– if a kid on my team ever pulled something like that the refs would be the last thing he’d have to worry about. 

    coaches need to take responsibility for their team.  plain and simple.  kids get heated during games, emotions run high and adrenaline is flowing.  the same can be said for us coaches, but we are adults and should be responsible for reeling in kids that have hot heads like this. 

  7. MN Lax Coach on May 2, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    not sure why everyone is so upset at each other for these comments… did the St Andrews kid flop a little?  yeah it didn’t like that hard of a punch, with a helmet on he should hopefully recover just fine.  that being said, it was an extremely cheap shot, so yes he should definitely be thrown out of the game, rest of the season, and a certain number of games next year as i’m sure their season is already over.  personally i would have liked to see a stronger reaction from the STA coaches– if a kid on my team ever pulled something like that the refs would be the last thing he’d have to worry about. 

    coaches need to take responsibility for their team.  plain and simple.  kids get heated during games, emotions run high and adrenaline is flowing.  the same can be said for us coaches, but we are adults and should be responsible for reeling in kids that have hot heads like this. 

  8. MN Lax Coach on May 2, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    not sure why everyone is so upset at each other for these comments… did the St Andrews kid flop a little?  yeah it didn’t like that hard of a punch, with a helmet on he should hopefully recover just fine.  that being said, it was an extremely cheap shot, so yes he should definitely be thrown out of the game, rest of the season, and a certain number of games next year as i’m sure their season is already over.  personally i would have liked to see a stronger reaction from the STA coaches– if a kid on my team ever pulled something like that the refs would be the last thing he’d have to worry about. 

    coaches need to take responsibility for their team.  plain and simple.  kids get heated during games, emotions run high and adrenaline is flowing.  the same can be said for us coaches, but we are adults and should be responsible for reeling in kids that have hot heads like this. 

  9. Anonymous on May 2, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    you assholes (LPG writer and Guest 1) need to understand that this character has already been thrown out of the contest for punching another player when this occurs. There is no room in the game for this. And the kid who got hit is way better than both of you, and so is the one who got hit before. SA won 20-5.

  10. Anonymous on May 2, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    you assholes (LPG writer and Guest 1) need to understand that this character has already been thrown out of the contest for punching another player when this occurs. There is no room in the game for this. And the kid who got hit is way better than both of you, and so is the one who got hit before. SA won 20-5.

  11. Anonymous on May 2, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    you assholes (LPG writer and Guest 1) need to understand that this character has already been thrown out of the contest for punching another player when this occurs. There is no room in the game for this. And the kid who got hit is way better than both of you, and so is the one who got hit before. SA won 20-5.

  12. Handsome Bob on May 2, 2012 at 6:14 pm

    The St. Andrews kid definitely sells it REALLY well, but that said, the kid from Aquinas is indeed a piece of shit and his coaches are morons for even allowing him to walk by the opposing player. No room for that at all. 

  13. Handsome Bob on May 2, 2012 at 6:14 pm

    The St. Andrews kid definitely sells it REALLY well, but that said, the kid from Aquinas is indeed a piece of shit and his coaches are morons for even allowing him to walk by the opposing player. No room for that at all. 

  14. Guest on May 2, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    1) That’s not a sucker-punch. 2) The kid who got punch flopped the shit out of the fall. 3) He was not hurt (again he flopped), probably played soccer in high school, got right back up like nothing happened.

    Warranted? Depends on if he made fun of the other guys mother.

    • Stuart1218 on May 2, 2012 at 9:02 pm

      You are a moron!

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

      • Johnmcnamara on May 3, 2012 at 4:04 am

        The real shame are the coaches (Crowley) , Champion was removed from games and the team three times before this incident. Let’s talk about Coach discipline and example.

    • Stuart1218 on May 2, 2012 at 9:02 pm

      You are a moron!

    • Stuart1218 on May 2, 2012 at 9:02 pm

      You are a moron!

    • Stuart1218 on May 2, 2012 at 9:02 pm

      You are a moron!

  15. Josh Hagerman on May 2, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Horowitz, you need to understand grammar and the expression and premise of a statement before you look like a simpleton.  Nevertheless, the only time it would be warranted is in time of self-defense.  Moreover, in this case, it was NOT, and this kid should be suspended for the rest of the season and I hope any schools looking at him take another look.

  16. Mhorowitz35 on May 2, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    I cant believe you even asked if that would ever be warranted.  dumbest thing ever said on this site

  17. guest on May 2, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    fuck that kid, he should never pick up a stick again.

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