THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412230640
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
M.V. Whitlow's lacrosse career is taking Wing.
Whitlow, a Portsmouth native, has signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Wings of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League.
He is believed to be the first Virginian to make it to the major league of lacrosse.
The Philadelphia team is the defending champion in the six-team league.
``For anybody who loves sports, it's just a dream come true to be able to play your game professionally,'' said the 25-year-old Whitlow, son of Portsmouth attorney and former city councilman Morton V. ``Mo'' Whitlow. ``I have thought a lot about it, even back when I was a kid growing up. Now I'm happy for the opportunity, and I hope I can make good at it.''
He's already making good. Whitlow was in the starting lineup for the Wings in their lone exhibition game on Dec. 11.
``Whitlow has played long stick defense throughout his career,'' said Philadelphia coach Tony Resh. ``He is one of only a few defensemen making the transition to the MILL, where only short sticks are allowed.''
Added Resh: ``There's also a transition players must make from outdoor to indoor lacrosse and M.V. is making that transition now. He is a very good outdoor player. He's fast, big, strong, and has good stick skills for a defenseman.
``We had a very experienced team last year and he came very close to making the team then.''
Whitlow, a member of Norfolk Academy's 1985 private school state championship team, was the last player cut in a tryout with the Wings a year ago. After a month of tryouts and scrimmages in November, Whitlow, a three-year starter at the University of Delaware, was signed as a free agent by the Wings.
Free agents in lacrosse should not be confused with free agents in baseball, however. There are no $1 million players in the MILL. The league minimum for rookies is $300 per game. Veteran players are in the $1,000-per-game bracket. Including endorsements, incentives and attendance bonuses, the highest paid players can make $50,000.
As a rookie, economics dictate that Whitlow continue his present job coaching lacrosse and teaching English at The Peddie School in Princeton, N.J., while playing for the Wings.
``It's about a 45-minute drive for me to practice, and all of the games are on either Fridays or Saturdays, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem,'' said Whitlow. ``But it's an exciting opportunity. We'll have crowds of 20,000 or more.''
Well, not quite. But the Wings are a big draw in Philadelphia. Last winter an average of 14,240 fans paid between $14 and $22 a ticket to see them play in the Spectrum. The Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, meanwhile, averaged 12,245 fans a game.
Whitlow will get additional exposure on television. Ed Wayda, director of operations in the MILL, said league games will be broadcast by ESPN II this season.
The other teams are based in Buffalo, Boston, Rochester, Baltimore and New York. The Wings open their season Jan. 7 in Buffalo. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``It's just a dream come true to be able to play your game
professionally,'' Whitlow said.
by CNB