“I want to be a professional lacrosse player” – Troy Record

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 Daniel Scoons, 10, of Lansingburgh, and he’s 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 seeing them in action so I can watch and make the plays they make,” fourth-grader Scoons said. “So when I’m 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 of the team.

With the help of the Lansingburgh School District, the FireWolves held free clinics for three weeks in February at Knickerbacker Arena in Troy for kids interested in learning more about lacrosse. Scoons attends Rensselaer Park Elementary School right next to Knickerbacker and that’s where he got his first lacrosse experience. He attended all three clinics and soaked up 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 through drills, answering his questions and talking lacrosse with him.

“Tye signed my lacrosse ball and he told me 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 thing to do when he plays is when he scored six goals against Buffalo.”

“He watches a lot of lacrosse stuff on YouTube,” noted Daniel’s mother, Danielle Scoons, who supported and encouraged his newfound passion for lacrosse and the FireWolves.

During one of the camps, Daniel experienced a moment that could have turned him away from the sport if it had not been for the support and motivation of the FireWolves players and staff.

“Daniel had bought sticks with his own birthday money to use in the clinics,” Danielle said. “During one of the clinics he broke one and it really upset him, but he got up and kept going.”

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

“After everything was over, Coach Donovan called him and gave him a stick and some one-on-one practice time,” Danielle explained. “Danny was so excited that Coach Donovan took the time with him and just 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 say a big thank you to Coach Donovan because he’s the one who really started me on the lacrosse journey,” Daniel said. “It’s crazy to think that I thought lacrosse was a boring sport, but now I want to become 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 really awesome to see Daniel’s joy and enthusiasm watching the game,” said Daniel’s father, Chris David Taylor. “He sees how a team works and realizes that when things don’t go as planned, it’s not one man’s job. You have to work together and he learned that from watching the FireWolves. »

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

“We’re 100 percent thinking about it for next year,” Danielle said. “This year, he’s had to learn that lacrosse is about self-control. You have to accept that you’re not always going to win and that it’s okay to miss a goal.”

From training sessions with the players to watching them at an NLL game, Daniel quickly learned a lot about lacrosse.

“I learned from the pros that I can’t give up even if things are difficult on the court. I have to keep fighting,” Daniel said. “My favorite thing about lacrosse is all the action that happens 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 make Tye for my wax museum project, but my teacher told me it would be difficult because there wasn’t much 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 difficult. But I persevered and was able to get to the last slide! »

Daniel’s mother shared photos of the project with Donovan who then shared them with FireWolves management who immediately knew this 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 that message from Tye means that the FireWolves are more than just a team,” Danielle said. “The fans are actually family. I told Daniel that next season we’re going to every game we can. It’s absolutely incredible 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 be able to participate in real lacrosse programs like Tye did. For me, it’s really exciting because my future could be tied to lacrosse. »