The Maryland Lacrosse Glove Issue?


Unless you have been hiding in your closet with a flashlight and a furby, you have probably heard the news about, or rather, the rumor concerning the Maryland lacrosse team having issues with their Under Armour gloves.  Well, after a long journey, which took me across the United States, through death valley with nothing but my CamelBak, half eaten burrito, ah heck, I just made some phone calls, sent some text messages and emails.  In fact, what I came up with was far from what was stated on forums from a community member, who must have been bored, but I found out the worst that had happened was just simply some of the gloves, from a few different people, had fallen apart.

Now, think about this, I know in my days from playing this is actually normal, while not desirable, it does happen because they do play at a high level.  Not to mention a Tillman coached lacrosse team is very aggressive and is a championship caliber team.  Moreover, the lacrosse head issue that I have seen discussed is also not true with players having to return heads because they are failing, rather, players were wanting a different head because as lacrosse players, we want a specific pocket, and we want to play at our highest ability.  In fact, if you had a choice from a company, wouldn’t you take advantage of the ability to choose a different head in order to play better if it suits your style better?  I would!  While this whole situation speaks volumes to what happened last year with Johns Hopkins and STX, if something had truly happened, I can tell you Under Armour would have come out and said something in response, and even more, Coach Tillman or a Maryland representative would have discussed this issue right away because we all know how much they love their lacrosse at that school.  Now, with this issue resolved and the truth actually out there, I will leave you with the object of our affection today…

As always, if anyone has any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or message me on Twitter @TheRealHag

Posted in

Lacrosse Playground

In 2009, Adam O’Neill, Harry Alford and Thomas Alford launched Lacrosse Playground as the preeminent site for lacrosse gearheads. For years Lacrosse Playground provided lacrosse fans with tutorials and tips on how to string a lacrosse head, up-close looks at the gear the top players used and sneak peeks at equipment and uniforms before they were released. More than 10 years and millions of visits later, Lacrosse Playground has relaunched with a focus on storytelling. Our mission is to provide comprehensive coverage of the latest lacrosse news, share insights into the sports betting and fantasy lacrosse world and showcase the lifestyles and personalities of the sport of lacrosse through articles, videos and podcasts.

7 Comments

  1. Chris on October 12, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    Nothing to keep hush hush. Broken hands were last year, gloves are fine. I know two Maryland players. Some people just can’t accept new companies into this sport and will bash them to death. Truth is UA has done more than any major company for the growth of the sport since their inception. Speaking from a non-equipment side. They sponsor many things and have been active in the lacrosse community for a long time. Someone started the rumor for a reason, just ironic it is a few weeks before UA product hits shelves.

    • Bob on October 12, 2011 at 9:23 pm

      Topher:
      It’s not that they can’t accept new companies. It’s that they can’t accept and put up with crappy products, especially from big name companies who you’d think would have the ideal resources. STX made a shotty glove last year and they redesigned. 

      Just because UA supports events within the sport to try and gain awareness and market share doesn’t mean that players have to like their product — two completely different issues. It doesn’t seem like it’s the perfect rumor if the issue exists with the first team, and flagship team, that the product gets used with — seems like just fact.

      • chris on October 13, 2011 at 1:06 pm

        Once again, not a crappy product, made to look that way due to the rumor. Friends like the gloves alot.

  2. Bob on October 11, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    Wouldn’t they just try and keep it hush hush since UA is trying to emerge as an actual competitor to STX etc. Seems like the stakes would be pretty high after just losing Rabil to Warrior. Oh didn’t UA just sign Grant Catalino? haha good luck marketing him to a nation of kids who have no idea who he is.

    • Josh Hagerman on October 12, 2011 at 6:03 am

      To be honest, with being a writer and knowing many people in the companies, they really are not afraid of letting anyone know when something is wrong because they know people will still buy the product.  Besides, as I have said all along being in lacrosse for many years and know many more aspects than other people, it’s always good to have these companies around, and the competition; I like having options.

      • Bob on October 12, 2011 at 9:34 pm

        First, thanks for being honest. It helps to distinguish between when you aren’t.  In regards to the second part of your first sentence: really? REALLY?? Hate to break it to you, but as much as you say you know researching, developing and producing a product from start to finish is no easy process and costs a good chunk of change, especially gloves. The amount of patenting that goes on is ungodly. There is so much on the line that when it comes to making a change these companies will keep it hush hush and try and make an inline change without anyone knowing about it. That way they don’t have to make recalls or deal with customers wanting a replacement or an alteration to their warranty. All costly and all hit the bottom line of the products overall profit.

        I’m not saying that I don’t want these companies around, I really do. I want a sick pair of UA gloves and these are not them. From the overall look to apparently performance these are not getting it done. An okay first attempt (better than most), but these look like they were assembled it in someone’s basement. I’d wear Gait gloves before I put these things on.

        • Josh Hagerman on October 13, 2011 at 5:12 am

          Bob, you would wear Gait gloves before you put these on?  Guess what, they are made by Gait, a Gait owned company.  Truly, I am not going to argue because I know how much work goes into all the production, all the patent lawsuits which drives up costs, all the other efforts because I know many people at all the companies, but guess what happens when a large majority of people are treated unfairly and spend a tremendous amount of money collectively?  Class action lawsuit.  Don’t you think UA would rather admit it, fix something, and go on rather than sit in court for a few years and possibly pay millions upon millions when they could have just spent a small amount to fix something that’s already in production in which the tooling is already setup?  I think so.  Have a good night 🙂

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.