LACROSSE MAGAZINE: Greer: Playing for Pressler Meant More

April 27, 2009

Greer: Playing for Pressler Meant More

by Brian Delaney | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online
Courtesy of Lacrosse Magazine

In finishing his prolific career at Bryant, former Duke star Zack Greer had a chance to showcase skills beyond finishing -- including dodging, feeding and riding.

The career of the most prolific goal scorer in college men's lacrosse history didn't end under the bright lights of the NCAA tournament, nor under the watchful eye of a nationally televised audience.

Exactly 372 fans took in Bryant University's 13-3 victory over Holy Cross last Wednesday in Smithfield, R.I., a day that marked the end of Zack Greer's scintillating career as a college attackman.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound, left-handed Canadian departs college lacrosse as the NCAA's all-time leading goal scorer and tied for first in all-time points with 353. A minor back injury suffered early on against Holy Cross, Bryant coach Mike Pressler said, likely kept Greer from breaking the second record.

He finished his last game with one goal and two assists.

But if Greer made anything clear when he left Duke to play out his eligibility under his former Blue Devil coach, it's that personal records didn't matter.

"Obviously that decision was bigger than lacrosse," Greer said Friday afternoon, his future now turned toward finishing his MBA and preparing for the professional ranks. "A lot of factors played into it, and finishing my career with coach Pressler was a big one."

For the first time in recent memory, Greer can do whatever he wants on Memorial Day weekend.

Because Bryant is transitioning into a Division I program, NCAA rules prohibited the Bulldogs from postseason play. For Bryant's eight other seniors, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

But swallow it they did, and they ended up meeting their two preseason goals -- achieve a winning record, and reach 10 wins.

Wednesday's outcome left the Bulldogs at 10-5.

Now, the program's departing student-athletes see Bryant evolving into a major player on the Division I stage.

"I think the sky's the limit," senior Kevin Hoagland said. "I don't see why Bryant can't be top 20 next year and going to the NCAA playoffs in the future with coach's recruiting."

When Greer chose Bryant over the likes of Ohio State and Syracuse, Pressler wondered how his returning players would accept one of college lacrosse's most recognizable names.

The transition went so smoothly, the team voted Greer its captain after the fall season.

"It's been so enjoyable," Pressler said. "And if you ask Zack himself, he said to me the other day, ‘It exceeded my expectations.' That made me so thrilled.

"The things that he brought to the table, just the level of professionalism and how you go about your business and being a Division I lacrosse player at the highest level. In the locker room, off the field, how you handle the media, handling preparation for the next game. He's been such a great, great example for our players."

Pressler was also thrilled with the diversification of Greer's game.

Playing for four years with Tewaaraton Trophy winner Matt Danowski earned Greer the label of "a finisher."

While complimentary in a sense, it also seemed to suggest that Greer was incapable of creating his own shot with consistency. With 42 goals and 26 assists this year, against a schedule that included ranked teams like Virginia, Maryland and Brown, Pressler feels that doubt was put to bed.

"He's done it every week the entire season," Pressler said. "Opponents are ganging up on him, and he's still so successful with so much more attention drawn to him per se, and he's shown the world he's a great dodger. He can create his own shot. His passing ability is second to none. At Duke, he never had to do those things.

"He's one of the greatest riders I've ever seen, and he is without question the greatest ground ball player I've ever seen."

All Greer wanted to be this year was one of the guys.

He shied away Friday from talking about his legacy, preferring to point out the forward progress of Bryant's program. But he didn't deny Wednesday was an emotional day.

"All kinds of emotions," he said. "Being done for good is something that can be pretty hard on all the seniors. When your career is over, it's certainly a strange feeling. But it was exciting at the same time. Ten wins. Giving back to coach Pressler.

"It was great."

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