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CROSBIE TAKES OVER HEAD COACHING DUTIES FOR BROOKLIN LACROSSE CLUB
By Sam Laskaris
The general manager of the Brooklin Lacrosse Club decided it was time for the team to have a new head coach.
But there wasn’t much of an argument from the previous bench boss. That’s because Brad MacArthur, who was doubling as the head coach and GM of the Major Series Lacrosse squad, has decided to relinquish his coaching duties.
MacArthur, however, will continue to serve as Brooklin’s GM. And he will also retain his GM responsibilities with Brooklin’s Ontario Series Lacrosse affiliate, the Oshawa-based Merchants Lacrosse Club.
As for Brooklin’s new head coach, he’s no stranger to the organization. Former Merchants’ head coach Jason Crosbie, who had served as Brooklin’s assistant coach the past couple of years, will now be calling the shots.
“This is another opportunity to learn and grow and get better,” Crosbie said. “And for me it’s a chance to sort of build the coaching toolbox.”
Crosbie originally thought he would be MacArthur’s assistant with the Brooklin squad for a number of years.
“It’s not something that was on the radar a couple of years ago,” he said of his new head coaching gig.
As for MacArthur, he’s confident Crosbie will fare well in his new role.
“Jason is well qualified and has earned everything he’s achieved in the coaching ranks,” he said. “We’ve coached together for a long time so it’s hard to not be there with him. But this is the right move for the organization.”
Since he’ll continue to be the Brooklin GM, MacArthur said he’ll be available for any input Crosbie seeks.
“Croz knows I’ll be there to support him through everything he needs,” MacArthur said. “And it helps that we’re surrounded by some great dedicated people.”
MacArthur is stepping back in large part because his time commitments changed earlier this year when he was named the head coach of the Florida Tech Panthers, an NCAA Division II men’s field lacrosse club. MacArthur is also the head coach of the Israeli men’s national team program. MacArthur said he’ll continue to be involved with the Brooklin Lacrosse Club. “I’ll still assist behind the scenes as much as I can,” he said. “But my wife (haven’t seen her in almost three months) and the program at Florida Tech have to come first.”
Crosbie, an Oshawa high school teacher, certainly has plenty of coaching credentials. Besides coaching Brooklin and the Merchants, his resume includes stints with the Clarington-based Green Gaels, a Junior B team. He was on the coaching staff for two national Founders Cup championship teams with the Green Gaels. Since July of 2020 he’s also been the offensive co-ordinator with the NLL’s New York Riptide. Crosbie believes his NLL job provided him with some additional credibility and was in part why he was considered for Brooklin’s head coaching job.
“I think the stars aligned for me once I got the job in New York,” said Crosbie, who has also assisted MacArthur with various teams that competed in international events.
Brooklin is scheduled to start its 2022 MSL regular season on May 23 against the host Six Nations Chiefs.
Brooklin’s home opener is set for June 1 versus the Chiefs. That match, which will be at Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby, will have an 8 p.m. faceoff.