Professional Lacrosse

A psychology degree recipient from Connecticut College, Eamon O'Leary, recently served as a business development representative at Bullhorn Inc. in Boston. While in high school, he played for his school's lacrosse team for one season, where he was the captain. Eamon O'Leary won the lacrosse coaches' award in high school for his team leadership qualities before proceeding to Conn College.

Colleges and universities are the hotbeds of lacrosse. A professional version is also played, mostly in North America.

The oldest existing league is the National Lacrosse League, a box-lacrosse (indoor) league. It started in 1987 and has 14 teams from Canada and the United States.

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) is the oldest professional field lacrosse league, started in 2001. It features six teams that play 10 to 16 games in a regular season, along with playoffs. Many professional lacrosse players play in both indoor and field leagues.

In 2018, the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) was founded. It features seven field lacrosse teams that play for 14 weeks, touring 12 cities. PLL provides healthcare benefits, stock options in the league, and the highest player salaries in professional lacrosse.

The oldest professional lacrosse league for female players is the United Women's Lacrosse League, which started in 2016. In 2018, another female league, the Women's Professional Lacrosse League, was formed. It consists of four teams.

Derek Hines Scholarship and Unsung Heroes Award Honor Athletes

Since 2019, Eamon O’Leary has served as a business development representative with Bullhorn Inc., a provider of operating solutions for the staffing industry. Holding a degree from Connecticut College (Conn College), Eamon O’Leary is also a graduate of St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts, where he was an accomplished lacrosse player and recipient of the St. John’s Coach’s Award and the Lt. Derek Hines Scholarship.

The Lt. Derek Hines Scholarship is awarded annually to a varsity athlete who demonstrates leadership, school pride, and sportsmanship. The scholarship honors the life of Derek Hines, a graduate of St. John’s Prep who went on to attend the United States Military Academy. He died in 2005 in Baylough, Afghanistan, while he and his unit were conducting a security operation.

During his time at St. John’s Prep, Derek Hines played on the lacrosse and hockey teams, and was a member of National Honor Society. He later played hockey at the United States Military Academy, serving as captain of the team his senior year. In addition to the Lt. Derek Hines Scholarship, he has been honored with the creation of the NCAA Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes NCAA Division I athletes who exemplify qualities of hard work and competitiveness.