“I want to become a professional lacrosse player”

Albany FireWolves player Tye Kurtz talks lacrosse with fan Daniel Scoons. (PHOTO PROVIDED).

ALBANY, NY — On April 28, the clock struck zero and MVP Arena exploded with cheers from the home crowd who had just watched the Albany FireWolves defeat the Halifax Thunderbirds 9-3 to win their first playoff game of the National Lacrosse League since moving to the Capital Region. . In the crowd, a fan attended his first lacrosse game in person. Additionally, his favorite player Tye Kurtz scored a goal and contributed to the victory.

That fan is 10-year-old Daniel Scoons from Lansingburgh, and he has quickly become one of the FireWolves’ biggest supporters.

The FireWolves have made a significant impact in the Capital Region during the 2023-24 season thanks to their historic run to the NLL Finals and their commitment to increasing team awareness in the Albany community and serving as great role models for young fans like Daniel.

“I like going to FireWolves games because I like to see them in action so I can watch and make the plays that they make,” fourth-grader Scoons said. “So when I get older, I can try to get a professional contract like Tye.”

Sharing their knowledge and passion for lacrosse, Kurtz and several other FireWolves players have been active every week of the season, appearing at schools and hosting clinics to teach lacrosse, inspire students to set goals and raise awareness the team.

With help from the Lansingburgh School District, the FireWolves held free workshops for three weeks in February at Knickerbacker Arena in Troy for children who wanted to learn more about lacrosse. Scoons attended Rensselaer Park Elementary School, located right next to Knickerbacker, and it was there that he had his first lacrosse experience. He attended all three workshops and absorbed as much knowledge as he could from Kurtz and the other FireWolves players.

“I became interested in it when I heard about it from one of my professors,” Scoons said. “I said, ‘Hey, I want to see what this is about.’ » When I was able to go there and the FireWolves were involved, I was really intrigued by the idea, because I finally got to hold a real stick and experience what it’s like to participate in a game of butt. »

The FireWolves players showed them how to throw and catch and took them through some drills to teach them the basics. Kurtz made a big impression on Scoons, coaching him in drills, answering his questions and talking lacrosse with him.

“Tye signed my lacrosse ball and said he admired me because I used a lot of moves and tactics that he hadn’t seen in a long time,” Scoons said. “Tye’s favorite part of playing is when he scores a sock trick (6 goals) against Buffalo.”

“He watches a lot of lacrosse content on YouTube,” said Daniel’s mother, Danielle Scoons, who has supported and encouraged his newfound love of lacrosse and the FireWolves.

During one of the camps, Daniel experienced a moment that could have turned him away from the sport without the support and motivation of the FireWolves players and staff.

“Daniel had bought some sticks with his birthday money to use in sessions,” Danielle said. “During one session he broke one and was really upset, but he got back up and kept going.”

Luckily, FireWolves Training Academy staff member Steve Donovan was there to make sure Daniel didn’t let the broken stick slow him down.

“After practice was over, Coach Donovan called him and gave him a stick and some individual practice time,” Danielle said. “Danny was so happy that Coach Donovan took the time to follow him and thought it was amazing. »

With a new stick, Daniel was ready to continue learning the sport and follow in the footsteps of the FireWolves players.

“I want to give a huge thank you to Coach Donovan because he’s the one who really got me started on the lacrosse journey,” Daniel said. “It’s crazy to think that I thought lacrosse was a boring sport, but now I want to be a professional lacrosse player.”

Donovan shared his phone number with Danielle and told her he would be happy to help Daniel attend a game. In April, they were able to make it a reality.

With his custom FireWolves t-shirt and big smile, Daniel was able to attend his first lacrosse game as the FireWolves defeated the Halifax Thunderbirds in the first round of the playoffs. He returned for the remainder of the playoffs to watch the FireWolves’ next two home games against San Diego and Buffalo on their way to the NLL Finals. There’s no doubt that Daniel and his family’s cheering contributed to the incredible atmosphere at MVP Arena during the playoffs.

Daniel’s parents saw how much fun he had at FireWolves games and how he could learn from the sport.

“It was so great to see the joy Daniel had watching the game and his enthusiasm,” said Daniel’s father, Chris David Taylor. “He sees how a team works and that when things don’t go your way, it’s not one man’s job. You have to work together and he understood that from watching the FireWolves.

After watching his heroes play in person, Daniel can’t wait to jump on a lacrosse team and start playing his new favorite sport.

“We are 100% considering it for next year,” Danielle remarked. “This year he had to learn that lacrosse is about self-control. You have to accept not always winning and missing a goal, it doesn’t matter. »

From clinics with players to watching them play in an NLL game, Daniel is quickly learning a lot about lacrosse.

“I learned from the pros that I can’t give up no matter how tough things are on the field. I have to keep fighting,” Daniel said. “My favorite thing about lacrosse is all the action that goes on and how fast it is.”

Daniel was tasked with doing a wax museum project for the school and instead of choosing a historical figure, he knew who he wanted to choose, his new hero Kurtz. During his presentation, Daniel shared the story of Kurtz, his childhood in Canada, his college lacrosse journey and his career with the FireWolves.

“I knew I wanted to do Tye for my wax museum project, but my teacher told me it would be difficult because there wasn’t a lot of information about his early years before he started lacrosse,” Daniel said. “I didn’t know what he did before lacrosse or what he did as a kid, so it was a little challenging. But I persevered and made it to the last slide!”

Daniel’s mother shared photos of the project with Donovan who then shared them with the FireWolves front office who immediately knew it was a special story. Kurtz recorded a video message for Daniel that FireWolves PR Coordinator Steve Wizniuk shared with him and his family during the video interview for this article. Daniel was left speechless.

“To me, getting this message from Tye means that for the FireWolves, they are more than a team,” Danielle said. “The fans are actually a family. I told Daniel that next season we would attend every game possible. It’s absolutely amazing what the FireWolves do for their fans. »

“I’m really looking forward to getting back on the ice and learning more about lacrosse,” added Daniel. “I’ll be older and hopefully I’ll get involved with real lacrosse programs like Tye did. For me, it’s really exciting because my future could be focused on lacrosse.”