Most people would be awestruck by playing in a huge stadium. Not Gerald Logan. The Sachem North alum is used to practicing and playing at The Big House at the University of Michigan, so Citi Field was just another experience for him.
In their second season of Division I lacrosse, Logan, a freshman, has started all eight games for the Wolverines this season. They remain winless after losing to Colgate, 10-7, in the inaugural Metropolitan Lacrosse Classic at Citi Field on Sunday. Michigan is 1-21 since starting its program in 2012.
This was Logan’s first time playing in the tri-state area since going away to Michigan. He spent last season playing at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn. He also spent many days attending Mets games at Shea Stadium as a kid, so to recapture that spirit as a young man on a big stage now, it’s a full-circle experience.
“I’ve always been a Mets fan, and even a Yankees fan, New York teams,” he said. “The ability to play lacrosse in a baseball stadium is kind of funny. The venue itself is amazing. Looking up and seeing the scoreboards, I couldn’t imagine doing that for a living as a baseball player, it’s kind of daunting.”
Logan’s father Gerald was a police officer and worked security at Mets games, so he had the opportunity to meet players like Tom Glavine and Pedro Martinez. Now he was the star on the field as thousands cheered on the Wolverines in one of the first games of its kind in Flushing. Holy Cross beat Navy in another lacrosse battle earlier in the afternoon. Mets owner Fred Wilpon is a Michigan alum, so there’s your connection with the Wolverines traveling to Queens.
For Logan the ability to start at the Division I level has been an instant learning curve.
“Just getting used to basic play and for me personally, shot speed, coming against faster shooters who are much more accurate and can put it in the right spots,” he said, “and being able to move around quicker in the net itself as the offense moves the ball.”
Logan made nine saves against Colgate, who touts reigning Tewaaraton Trophy winner Peter Baum as the best player in the country. He led the Raiders with three goals and two assists and gave Logan trouble all day with his shot selection.
His year at Hotchkiss was a big help in his personal development. From building better study habits to playing with studs like Michigan’s Matt Cavanagh or Yale’s Mike Quinn a year earlier has helped him jump into this starting role.
“We’re a work in progress,” said Michigan coach John Paul. “That’s where we are as a program right now. We’re getting better in a lot of areas we’re focused on getting better in.”
One thing Logan, who was named ECAC Rookie of the Week earlier this month after making 25 saves against Army, and Michigan don’t need work improving on is playing in a big facility. The Big House is as big as it gets with an official capacity of 109,901 seats.
“I am very used to it,” he said. “The structure itself is huge. When we play at new stadiums, it’s just time to play lacrosse.”
It’s that workman-like attitude that will bring Michigan into contention before Logan is done in blue and gold.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro