Jan. 2, 2013

 Blue Jay Jersey Countdown - #37 

As we countdown to ’13, a season Blue Jay faithful hope will end with a 10 on the 27th, HopkinsSports.com offers its own countdown … by jersey number … to the season-opener against Siena on February 8.

Today - #37

Did You Know: Lucky Mallonnee is the only Johns Hopkins player to earn First Team All-America honors while wearing number 37 as he grabbed top honors as a junior in 1964.

Player Spotlight – Benson Erwin
While the long stick middie position has become one of the glamour positions in college lacrosse in recent years, the opposite can still be said of the short sticks, who are the constant target of the opposition.

That target was never a problem for Benson Erwin, who excelled as JHU’s top short stick defensive middie from 2002-05. Erwin, now the measuring stick of all Johns Hopkins SSDMs, excelled in one-on-one matchups all over the field, scooped up more than 100 ground balls and was a threat in transition as well as he totaled eight goals and 11 assists in his four-year career.

Of course, Erwin will live in Johns Hopkins lore forever as his goal in transition in overtime in the 2005 NCAA Semifinals lifted the Blue Jays to a stunning 9-8 overtime win against Virginia. As you may recall, the Blue Jays trailed the Cavaliers, 8-7, with less than 13 seconds remaining in regulation before a Jake Byrne goal with 1.4 seconds forced overtime. There, Erwin struck the blow that kept Hopkins’ perfect season alive.

Erwin helped the Blue Jays to a 55-6 record, four trips to the final four, two appearances in the national championship game and the 2005 NCAA Championship. He never lost a game on Homewood Field and was named to the All-Time Johns Hopkins Team at the end of his career, a spot he earned over a four-year career and cemented with his eighth and final career goal late on a Saturday afternoon in May, 2005.

Check out these recaps of JHU's stunning win over Virginia in the 2005 NCAA Semifinals:
HopkinsSports.com
Washington Post 

Other Notable “37s” in JHU Lacrosse History
Lucky Mallonee – Mallonnee was a three-time All-American midfielder for the Blue Jays from 1963-65, garnering first team honors as a junior, third team honors as a sophomore and honorable mention status as a senior. He totaled 24 goals and eight assists in his career.

Famous “37s” in Other Sports
Doak Walker – Detroit Lions (NFL)
The 1948 Heisman Trophy winner played just six years in the NFL, but made a lasting impression. He was voted Rookie of the Year, All-NFL and led the NFL in scoring in 1950. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he helped the Lions to a pair of NFL Championships, earned five Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro nods.

Note: Johns Hopkins men’s lacrosse rosters are generally available back to 1950. In many years after 1950, only an alphabetical list is available. The Blue Jay Jersey Countdown is intended to be an enjoyable way to count down to the 2013 season. It is not intended to rank in any way the players who wore a particular number.

HopkinsSports.com Men's Lacrosse

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