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- Happy New Year! - Kirst Brothers Lacrosse Newsletter (Week 49)
Happy New Year! - Kirst Brothers Lacrosse Newsletter (Week 49)
Energy and Effort! Attitude and Acknowledgement! Together and Toughness!
KBL Kirstbrotherslacrosse
January 01, 2026
Good Morning!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We are incredibly excited and thankful to be joining you here in Week 49 of the KBL Newsletter. The place keeping you up to date with the latest Kirst Brothers Lacrosse news, clinics, and stories in 2025!
To start 2026, we’d like to take a look back and reflect on this past year’s newsletters to celebrate all of the stories from 2025!
First Quarter! - (Jan. Feb. March.)
We kick’d off this newsletter on January 30th, 2025. The Las Vegas Desert Dogs secured their first win of the season against the Albany Firewolves with Mom, CJ, Caden and myself in attendance.
So awesome seeing Connor compete with the Las Vegas Desert Dogs in the Tucker out Lymphoma and Box Out Cancer night.
HARDWOOD LACROSSE sessions at the Branchburg Sports Complex started our winter trainings through an awesome space, practicing stick work, shooting and wall ball with speed and pace.
PLL Jr. Championships
Colin and I traveled to Orlando, FL and Las Vegas, Nevada for the PLL Jr. Championships tryout’s.
From the energetic and positive PLL Jr. Championships weekend, the coaches battled in a sixes style tennis ball game in front of the entire camp! Check out Colin’s GoPro highlights below:
GBs for NYC - CityLax, Inc.
The non-profit organization CityLax announced this past spring, CJ and Chris Kavanagh will be 2025 ambassadors for the #GBSFORNYC campaign.
Following in Pat Kavanagh’s footsteps, CJ and Chris asked fans to pledge to donate $10 to CityLax for every groundball they picked up this past season.
CJ raised $5,571.00!
The Boston Cannons Go Back to Back!
The Boston Cannons defeated the Utah Archers to repeat as the 2025 PLL Lexus Championship Series winners. Matt Campbell led the team with seven goals and the Golden Stick Award, totaling 23 scoring points.
Colin set a new tournament record with 72 saves, including 15 saves in the championship.
College Season Kick Off!
The 2025 college season ignited for CJ and Caden in this first quarter!
The Cornell Big Red came out hot with wins over Lehigh, Denver, Hobart and Richmond to start the season.
Caden played against great friend and teammate Charlie Hunnewell in their first college seasons! Caden and Charlie helped lead Bernards to its first State Championship in school history as senior captains in 2024!
Halifax Thunderbirds vs Las Vegas Desert Dogs
For me, I got to suit up and play against Connor for the Halifax Thunderbirds in Las Vegas, Nevada. Playing against your role model and big brother is special. I shared these words in our week 6 newsletter that I truly mean:
“In the pursuit of playing at the highest level, I have been inspired by many different leaders throughout their training and mindset. However, I have found that confidence in preparation of suiting up against the very best has always been most important.
Connor has been that role model for me in the process of training to be great. From watching him consistently give his very best in high school and through college to running hills during the offseason in Bernardsville, NJ, Connor showed each of us the work ethic it takes to the earn the opportunity of suiting up for your city, organization, team and coaches.
Earning the opportunity to suit up against each other on Saturday night in Henderson, Nevada is a moment I will cherish forever.”
“Monday Night Lights” Sixes
With the recent addition of lights to the Polo Grounds Turf, we hosted sixes training for age groups (7-10 and (11-14) on Monday Night’s from 8:00 - 9:00PM in Bernardsville, N.J.
Check out the highlights:
KBL / HARDWOOD LACROSSE (Portland, OR)
In partnership with Team Oregon, Colin traveled for the first ever West Coast Hardwood Lacrosse Training!
CJ becomes Cornell’s All-Time Leading Goal Scorer!
Amazing moment below! Mom, CJ and Mike French together after the Cornell victory against Princeton. CJ scored five goals against Princeton, becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in school history.
Second Quarter - (April. May. June.)
Who’s Weapon of Choice?!
Every player’s stick and pocket have their own identity. Some string their own, others have friends create the pocket tailoring to one’s strengths and preference. For this new edition of the KBL Newsletter, we highlighted a current lacrosse player’s weapon of choice, and had the reader, reply to this newsletter with your best guess as to who it may be.
Thank you to everyone who participated! We had, Jeff Trainor, Spencer Wirtheim, Jack Hannah, Chayse Ierlan, John Piatelli, Caden, Charlie Hunnewell, Grame Hossack, Dylan Molloy and myself all share! Check out each weapon of choice below!
Las Vegas Desert Dogs - 2025 Team Awards
Connor was named the Las Vegas Desert Dogs 2025 Teammate of the Year!
CJ Sets All-Time NCAA Division 1 Men’s Career Goals Record - 225
CJ became the NCAA’s Division I Men’s Lacrosse All-Time Leading Goal Scorer!
CJ reached this mark in fewer games than any of the top 10 all-time goal leaders in Division I Men’s Lacrosse History. On Wednesday, CJ was unanimously selected as the Ivy League Attackman of the Year.
2025 PLL College Draft - CJ drafted No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia Waterdogs
CJ named one of five finalists for Tewaarton Trophy
“Backyard Raised” - CJ Kirst Tee
The “Backyard Raised” - CJ Kirst Tee launched in the week 17 newsletter. All adult sizes are in black. Please use the link below to order.
ADULT:
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
CJ and the Cornell University Big Red claim the first NCAA Title since 1977!
“The title comes 21 years following the tragic death of Big Red captain George Boiardi, who wore jersey number 21 as a player - a number that has since become sacred in the Cornell lacrosse community.” (https://cornellbigred.com/news/2025/5/26/mens-lacrosse-maryland-recap.aspx)
The effort, leadership, camaraderie and culture of the 2025 Cornell University Men’s Lacrosse team will be talked about forever.
In the book The Hard Hat: 21 Ways to Be a Great Teammate, Jon Gordon writes:
“Each day, it’s important to wake up and strive to be better today than you were yesterday. Identify what you need to work on to get better and focus on improving each day. Don’t settle for average. Instead, chase greatness. Realize that everyone wants to do what the great ones do but very few are willing to do what they did to become great. Be willing. Be humble and hungry. Pursue excellence. To help yourself and your team, implement the 1 percent rule, which says that a little more time, energy, effort, practice, focus, and care can bring big results. If you can push yourself to give just 1 percent more during each practice, each game, each film session, each class, each homework assignment, and each project, over time you will see big results.”
CONGRATULATIONS CJ! 2025 TEWAARTON TROPHY AWARD WINNER
KBL STORE!
Check out the KBL store for the new Snapback! In partnership with Jammer Goods Company, each KBL Snapback represents the teams Connor, Colin, Cole, CJ and Caden play for!
KBL / KSG “Summer Kickoff” NJ Training 6/1
Thank you to everyone who participated in the KBL / KSG “Summer Kickoff” NJ Training event with the Kavanagh Brothers in Bernardsville, NJ! We had a blast!
Best of luck to everyone in the summer season ahead!
2025 KBL DAY CAMP - Polo Grounds, Bernardsville, NJ - (June 30th - July 2nd)
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2025 KBL Day Camp at the Polo Grounds in Bernardsville, NJ! We had a blast!
In Kirst Brothers Lacrosse Newsletter (Week 20), we asked you, the reader, to reply to the newsletter with your best idea, for the next weekly edition!
Halifax Thunderbirds Teammate and former Cornell University Big Red Lacrosse Captain, Clarke Petterson, responded with highlighting individuals throughout the week who exemplify our core principles at Kirst Brothers Lacrosse.
We’d like to congratulate the individuals who showcased the following values at camp:
Energy and Effort! - Matthias
Attitude and Acknowledgement! - Walter
Together and Toughness! - Alex
Overall E.A.T Award who exemplified all values throughout the days! - NuNu
CONGRATULATIONS COLIN! PLL ALL-STAR!
“The 2025 Lexus PLL All-Star Game features an exhibition between the Eastern Conference All-Stars & Western Conference All-Stars.”
In addition, Colin will compete in Goalie Wars! “The PLL’s top goalies compete through a combination of saving and clearing. Each save counts as one point, with clears of varying difficulty providing score multipliers. 52 second rounds. High score wins. One round. Four Athletes.”
Two goalies face off, each defending their net set 15 yards apart
They must stay on their half, shoot from at least 12 yards out, and have 6 seconds to release the ball
45-second clock runs per round
If tied, sudden victory overtime decides the winner
Third Quarter! - (July. August. September.)
KBL “MADE TO MOVE” POCKET TEE
Check out the new KBL “Made to Move” Pocket Tee! In partnership with Jammer Goods Company, this is the perfect shirt for a summer day taking you from the field to the barbeque!
This versatile pocket tee offers a stylish relaxed fit, while also providing a very lightweight cotton/polyester blend that is suitable for any occasion. The Tee offers a comfortable 4-way stretch while also having a 100% cotton matte facing fabric.
Custom “Kirst Brothers Lacrosse X Jammer” Woven Tag
Premium Mid-Lightweight Tee
Fit is Just Right - Size up for a more oversize fit, size down for a tighter fit
Fabric: 76% Cotton, 24% Polyester
STORE LINK:
E.A.T. Player of the Week!
Let's go back in time, ahead of Throwback Weekend in Chicago, IL of the Premier Lacrosse League!
Growing up in New Jersey, there was nothing better than a summer night under the lights at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University watching the New Jersey Pride.
The New Jersey Pride were a Major League Lacrosse team from 2001 - 2008. It was the creativity and talent of this team that introduced us to professional lacrosse. Whether it was tailgating in the grass parking lot with family and friends or staying after each game for autographs as we sprinted for loose game balls because of how rare they were, it were these moments that gave us the opportunity to dream!
MLL Gameball
In the 2005 MLL Collegiate Draft, the New Jersey Pride selected a individual that continues to inspire the next generation for dreamers.
For it to come full circle, this individual played for the team that gave me the drive and passion to someday suit up on the same stage, and completed his Hall of Fame career with the organization I’m fortunate enough to be a member of today.
Congratulations Kyle, on the 2025 Professional Lacrosse Hall of Fame! Thank you for exemplifying and showing us what our core principles of Energy and Effort! Attitude and Acknowledgement! Together and Toughness signify!
2025 PLL All-Star Skills Challenge / Goalie Wars
Check out the highlights of Colin’s performance in the Premier Lacrosse League All-Star Skills Competition, Goalie Wars.
Here were the Rules: (https://premierlacrosseleague.com/all-star)
Two goalies face off, each defending their net set 15 yards apart
They must stay on their half, shoot from at least 12 yards out, and have 6 seconds to release the ball
45-second clock runs per round
If tied, sudden victory overtime decides the winner
CAMP 99: LACROSSE AND ALL SPORTS CAMP
This past summer, Camp 99 was led by Desert Dogs Captain, Connor Kirst and players. The coaches focused on teaching the basics of lacrosse as well as additional sports include soccer, wiffle ball, handball, and kickball.” (https://www.lasvegasdesertdogs.com/community/)
“WE’RE STILL HERE | The Three Forms of Indigenous Stick-And-Ball Games”
“In honor of the PLL’s indigenous Heritage Weekend, we hosted an open and educational conversation with Boston Cannons Goalie Colin Kirst and Indigenous Community leaders about the various forms of stick-and-ball games that are actively played today. Each version of the game is more than sport-it is cultural practice, ceremony, and generational knowledge-sharing.” (Premier Lacrosse League - YouTube)
“This weekend isn’t only about honoring tradition-it’s about visibility, leadership, and future-building. Through PLL’s national platforms, we aim to elevate Indigenous leaders and amplify the messages that matter most to their communities.” (Premier Lacrosse League - YouTube)
New Jersey Lacrosse Foundation - 2025 “Spirt of the Stick” Award
The Spirit of the Stick Award honors an individual whose exceptional dedication to lacrosse embodies the very heart of the game. This award recognizes a person who consistently upholds the core values of leadership, sportsmanship, and teamwork, while demonstrating a profound respect for the sport. Through their actions on and off the field, this individual serves as an inspiration to others and a true guardian of the game’s enduring spirit and a “Respect for the Game.”
Congratulations to CJ on being named the 2025 New Jersey Lacrosse Foundation Spirit of the Stick Award recipient!
“The New Jersey Lacrosse Foundation is dedicated to promoting and supporting lacrosse for all participants across the Garden State. Our mission is to inspire sportsmanship, foster healthy competition, and serve as a trusted leader in every aspect of the game.”
What We Do
We are your go-to resource for everything lacrosse in New Jersey, offering information, events, and opportunities for boys and girls. Here’s how we serve the lacrosse community:
NJ Lacrosse Hall of Fame: Honoring the players, coaches, officials and contributors who have significantly impacted the sport.
NJ Lacrosse Foundation Website: Your central hub for news, updates, and resources related to lacrosse in New Jersey.
Liason for NJ Men’s and Women’s Officials Associations: Supporting the officials who ensure fair play and integrity in the game.
The Kirst Cup: organizing the annual high school lacrosse state championship games.
NJ Lacrosse Annual Golf Outing: A fund-raiser for the Kirst Cup and lacrosse-related scholarships, this event brings the lacrosse community together.
“Founded in 1966, the New Jersey Lacrosse Foundation is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization run by passionate volunteers committed to advancing the sport of lacrosse. We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards and create opportunities for players, parents, coaches, officials, and fans to enjoy and grow through the game. Our volunteers dedicate their time and effort to ensure the sport thrives, giving back to the community so others can experience the many benefits of lacrosse.”
“Join us in celebrating and supporting the spirit of lacrosse in New Jersey!” (https://njlacrosse.org/)
Congratulations CJ! First Professional Goal!
Premier Lacrosse League 2025 - Thank you!
Thank you to everyone for all of the support this season in the Premier Lacrosse League! We will continue to share our knowledge, passion and love for the game of lacrosse together!
Energy and Effort! Attitude and Acknowledgement! Together and Toughness!
“World’s Best Coming to USA Lacrosse for the Atlas Cup” (Atlas Cup | USA Lacrosse)
Connor, Colin and CJ will be among “the world’s top lacrosse powers coming to USA Lacrosse headquarters this fall for The Atlas Cup, an international event showcasing the sixes format of the game that will be utilized for the LA28 Olympics. The United States will welcome top international lacrosse teams, including Canada, Haudenosaunee Nationals and Puerto Rico men’s and women’s teams, from Sept. 26-28 for three days of intense competition.”
“Just as Atlas carried the weight of the world in Greek mythology, The Atlas Cup name pays homage to today’s lacrosse athletes as they carry the future of the sport on their shoulders entering a pivotal moment in the sport’s history with the Olympics on the horizon.”
“The Atlas Cup marks the first time Canada, the Haudenosaunee and the USA have competed in the same event in men’s and women’s sixes since The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Ala.” Connor earned a silver medal as a member of Team USA at the 2022 World Games.
“Canada beat the United States in the gold medal game in both the men’s and women’s events at The World Games that year while the Haudenosaunee men finished fifth and women finished seventh. Puerto Rico, an emerging power in international lacrosse, further adds to the amazing talent that will be competing in the Atlas Cup.”
“Lock in your seats and join us for a weekend of thrilling Olympic Sixes competition featuring the U.S. National Teams and top international teams at The Atlas Cup.”
Check out KBL “Monday Night” Box (Free Instructional) training this fall at the Central Park of Morris County, N.J..
These sesssions were led by Connor, Colin and Cole. This is a great opportunity for players looking to improve their shooting, defensive footwork, off-ball movement, hand-eye coordination and stick-skills while learning the foundation of Box Lacrosse for age groups (7-10) and (11-14)!
The Branchburg Sports Complex has been the home for all 2025 KBL Hardwood Lacrosse Training Sessions this fall.
CONGRATULATIONS CJ! TORONTO ROCK!
Fourth Quarter! - (October. November. December.)
KBL POWERED BY GAIT LACROSSE
We are thrilled to announce the Kirst Brothers Lacrosse partnership with GAIT LACROSSE!
Thank you to the entire GAIT LACROSSE team for the opportunity! Hard goods, merch, athletes + teams, we are so excited to be powered by GAIT LACROSSE both on and off the field!
Energy and Effort! Attitude and Acknowledgement! Together and Toughness! BE LEGENDARY!
“U.S. Men’s Roster Finalized for Super Sixes in Canada” - USA Lacrosse
“The remaining players on the roster - Chris Kavanagh, Sam King, C.J. Kirst and Connor Kirst - participated in the U.S. team training camp but will be making their sixes competition debuts with the U.S. program.”
“The U.S. will be competing in Pool B at the Super Sixes event with games against Germany, the Haudenosaunee Nationals, Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
Good luck to Connor and CJ!
“More information on the event can be found below:”
“U.S. Men’s National Team Opens Lead-Up to 2027 World Championship”
CJ competed with Team USA for the first training opportunity for the U.S. men’s field team since Seth Tierney was named the head coach of the program in April 2024.
“The first international competition for this team will be the Pan-American Lacrosse Association continental qualifier next year. The next World Lacrosse men’s field championship will be held in Japan in 2027.”
KBL “Monday Night” Box - THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who joined KBL “Monday Night” Box trainings this fall! There is nothing better than banging the boards inside the box!
Through shooting drills, footwork agility, off-ball movement and hand eye-coordination together, we improved!
Energy and Effort! Attitude and Acknowledgement! Together and Toughness!
2025 PLL PLAY X KIRST BROTHERS LACROSSE SIXES TRAINING - DEC 7th
This December, we were excited to announce our partnership with PLL Play on Sunday, December 7th for the first Kirst Brothers Lacrosse x PLL PLAY Sixes Training for lacrosse players between grades 5th - 8th grade!
From 1:00PM - 2:00PM, the training will consist of fundamental skill work such as stick handling, shooting, dodging, transition offense and defense, unsettled situations and ground ball play.
Sixes gameplay will be from 2:00PM - 4:00PM, competing amongst teams.
KBL / HARDWOOD LACROSSE (FALL) - THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who joined KBL / HARDWOOD LACROSSE trainings this fall!
Through shooting drills, footwork agility, off-ball movement and hand-eye coordination together, we improved!
Energy and Effort! Attitude and Acknowledgement! Together and Toughness!
Congratulations CJ! First career NLL Goal!
CJ finished with 4 goals, 1 assist, 10 loose balls, and two caused turnovers.
Connor finished with 1 goal, 4 loose balls, and one caused turnover.
Congratulations to Hugh Kelleher on scoring his first career NLL goal!
WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND!
Las Vegas Desert Dogs vs Buffalo Bandits
Saturday, January 3rd @ 7:00PM EST
Location: KeyBank Center- Buffalo, NY
How to watch:
E.A.T. Person of the Week!
KBL Core Values
Energy and Effort - Raise your level of competition by never letting a play or pass go by without giving it everything you have.
Attitude and Acknowledgement - Be where your feet are in the moment acknowledging how grateful we are to play this game and the people who have provided the opportunity to continue to do so.
Together and Toughness - Ride the highs and lows of the journey staying consistent within the mindset of working hard knowing the tough road ahead of striving to become better everyday.
Through stories and highlights, we recognized these individuals for signifying the core principles of Energy and Effort! Attitude and Acknowledgement! Together and Toughness!
Eamon McEneaney, Ned Crotty, Joel White, Skip Lichtfuss, Mike French, Tom Hayes, Jim Brown, James Marrion, Coach Apel, Coach Davidson, Coach McCabe, Coach Philie, Coach Bieda, Coach Hoppey, Coach Gray, Coach Simmons, Walker Wallace, Marcus Holman, Uncle and Coach Moreau, Mom!, Coach Reubling, Coach Cassese, Coach Runkel, Coach Buczek.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2026!
Thank you to everyone for all of the love and support this past year!
We look forward to posting the newsletter in 2026 periodically rather than weekly. Let’s crush 2026 together!
Thanks for reading! Follow us on our social platforms! Energy and Effort! Attitude and Acknowledgement! Together and Toughness!