A Step Back
Before going forward, let’s go back to the beginning of it all.
As the story goes, Chris Fritz and Russ Cline, two entrepreneurs, were sitting courtside at a New York Knicks game in the mid-80s, talking about box lacrosse and how they could elevate this exciting game that had been around for decades with a marquee approach.
With a beverage napkin on their knees, the two began drawing and listing top-of-mind ideas for incorporating game elements to make it fan-friendly and exciting.
On March 13, 1986, the two unveiled the Eagle Pro Box League, with Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New Jersey as the inaugural cities.
They would own the league and run it as such, later changing the name to Major Indoor Lacrosse League as expansion continued (later to be named the National Lacrosse League on July 21, 1997, with individual team ownership).
A New Franchise for Buffalo
In search of extra dates during the development and design of a new arena, Buffalo Sabres executives presented a plan to become an expansion city of the MILL.
Again, the league was run by Fritz and Cline but supported locally by promoters and other pro sports team owners.
While it was rejected a couple of times by the board, headed by Seymour and Norty Knox, the third time was a charm.
On October 1, 1991, Fritz and Cline awarded Buffalo a MILL city and named the Buffalo Bandits.
Here is a copy of the release on vintage Sabres stationery.
And the rest is History
Thirty-four years later, the Bandits will raise their seventh NLL Championship banner, third consecutive, to the rafters of KeyBank Center on Saturday night.
Hundreds of players have proudly worn the orange and black, and the tradition continues with this year’s Bandits.
The roster is set following a competitive training camp, which included three preseason games. There is labor peace, parity, and an unbelievable quest by the other 13 teams to dethrone the back-to-back-to-back champion Bandits – what’s new?
“I thought a lot of guys showed me what I wanted to see. Whether it’s for them to be on the practice roster, the dressing roster, or just on the roster itself,” said Bandits head coach John Tavares following the 10-8 preseason win last Saturday night over Georgia.
“We’re pretty much the same team as last year, except three of the guys that are missing in Fraser, Cloutier, and the retirement of Justin Martin.
“I like what we have, but it’s going to open up the door for other players, and I’m looking forward to seeing what guys offer.”
With most of the roster returning, you’ll notice a few new faces and many talented, young hopefuls ready to carry on the tradition. And that might call for game-by-game night roster switches.
“Depending on what bench we have, left and right-handed, who is jelling with whom for success for a particular group. I’m confident in playing any of the guys,” noted Tavares.
The Bandits start the season this Saturday night at home against the young, fast, and talented Georgia Swarm, following an emotional banner-raising ceremony.
“It’s a huge night for the guys on the team last year, but it’s a massive boost for the visiting team trying to come out and quite the crowd as soon as possible. After the ceremony, we have to re-group very quickly,” Tavares said.
Cornerstones of the Bandits: Tavares and Swenson
Two individuals have been with the Bandits since their inception: Tavares and public address announcer Chris Swenson.
We all know the team and league records Tavares achieved as a player over 24 seasons, and his accomplishments as a head coach, guiding his team to winning seasons, final appearances, and three consecutive championships.
He is not the type of coach who will flip his hat backward and launch into a wild rant to his players. However, he will loudly voice, with drill-sergeant intensity, his frustrations about the flow on the turf and how the game is called.
While I never thought Tavares would be captain material, let alone a head coach, maybe because I didn’t know him that well. He proved me wrong by a considerable margin.
Guarded with everything he tells me, he’s doing it to explain his lacrosse philosophy and process in layperson’s terms so that I will understand. Constantly generating new concepts and systems on a rapid-fire basis, Tavares indeed is a lacrosse savant.
As a person, he cares about everyone in the organization and the fans at all times. Humbly, he always deflects the team’s success onto the players, saying, “They were the ones that made it happen.”
To further amplify Tavares’s remarks, he speaks from his soul. Here is an example.
“I’m working to put guys in roles where they feel confident and comfortable, and I want them to know I believe in them. I focus on placing them in positions where they can be successful. I don’t want them just setting picks and grabbing loose balls; I want them to be active participants in the offense.”
Buffalo What?
For public address announcing during the box game, it’s what Fritz and Cline wanted most, along with music. Chris Swenson developed the mold, and no one in sports can match it.
Since the first game in January 1992, Swenson has been present between the penalty boxes with the off-field officials, inflecting his voice with enthusiastic play-by-play and popular fan cues, keeping them engaged in the game with vocal triggers delivered in a very pleasing tone, never over-the-top.
He is a man of the people of Banditland, and grateful for his position and the endearing love the players have for his son, Brett.
“The fact that they treat my son, Brett, is a big piece of it for me, having him involved, this stage of my life. The makeup of the guys and their personalities, they are just good people.
“Just the way they embrace my son is really special – it’s not something you really see everywhere; it’s just a special group of guys, and it starts with Scott Loffler,” said Swenson, who will be there Saturday night to open things up with the banner-raising ceremony and get you into the game.
Rule Changes
With eight overall addenda to the 25-26 NLL Rulebook, here are a couple of notable changes. On the coach’s challenge, teams will now have 30 seconds (previously 35) to make the official red flag toss.
And under the new rule 67.16, promptly dubbed the “Buffalo Soaking Rule,” players are no longer allowed in the goaltender’s circle (also known as the front porch) to block shots. If caught, a two-minute minor penalty will be assessed.
There is a new replay system for officials, featuring a cloud-based unit inside the off-field officials’ booth. This will enable the crew chief to review replays independently, choosing from available camera angles (including overhead) and controlling frame-by-frame action.
Broadcast Coverage
All Bandits games this season will be available on the radio, including a 30-minute pregame show before the scheduled faceoff. Check weekly on the Bandits’ social platforms as to the station assignment (1520 The Bet, WGR, or WBEN). This Saturday’s game will be on WBEN 930 AM.
Television coverage this Saturday will be on WIVB channel 4, ESPN+, NLL+, and TSN+. There will be a 15-minute pregame banner-raising special on ESPN+, NLL+, and TSN+ starting at 7:15 pm.
Dave Buchanan and Steve Bermel will join me on the home games.
Take a Seat
Make sure you’re in your seat by 7:10 pm this Saturday for the Bandits banner-raising ceremony.