Chicago Machine
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- For the Chicago political machine, see Chicago machine.
| Chicago Machine | |
 |
|
| Conference | Western |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Home stadium | Toyota Park |
| Based in | Bridgeview, Illinois |
| Colors | red, black, gold |
| Head coach | Lelan Rogers |
| General manager | |
| Local media | Chicago Daily Herald |
| Website | www.chicagomachine.com |
| Championships | |
| Conference Championships | |
The Chicago Machine is a lacrosse team based in Bridgeview, Illinois. Since the 2006 season, they have played in Major League Lacrosse.
Contents |
[edit] Franchise history
The establishment of a Chicago Major League Lacrosse expansion franchise was announced on August 21, 2005. Along with expansion teams representing Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver, the Chicago Machine became part of the Western Conference of the MLL in 2006. The team played its home game in 2006 at Sports Complex at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.
The Machine finished the 2006 season on August 12. The team became the first MLL team to go the whole season without a victory. The team lead most of game against the Dragons on August 12 only to see the Dragons tie the game at the end of regulation and then win the game in overtime.
The Machine are committed to both the expansion and improvement of lacrosse in the midwest by running clinics and camps to try and bring lacrosse to the next level.
In December of 2006, the Machine announced that its home field for the 2007 season would be Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois.
[edit] Players of note
Both current Machine star Doug Shanahan (midfielder) and former star Todd Rassas (defensemen) were named to to the 2006 USA team after competing together in the 2002 World Championships. The 2006 USA team competed in the IFL World Championships in Ontario, Canada from July 13-22, 2006.
Machine attackman, Kevin Leveille, was named to play in the 2006 Major League Lacrosse All-Star game on July 6, 2006 in Boston, MA. Leveille was also named an alternate on the 2006 USA team to compete in the IFL World Championships in Ontario, Canada from July 13-22 2006.
Michael Culver, Machine defenseman, was voted 2006 New Balance Sportsman of the year by both general managers and coaches of each of the ten Major League Lacrosse teams. Culver received this award after starting all 10 games for the Machine and recording 27 ground balls. Culver is a leader both on the field and off. Off the field he helped the community by donating half of his 2006 salary to the [www.childrensheartfoundation.org Children's Heart Foundation].
In the November 2005 expansion draft, the Chicago Machine drafted Philadelphia Barrage Midfielder Doug Shanahan as their first pick.
The Chicago Machine also drafted Todd Rassas in the 2005 supplemental draft. He is a local product from Northfield, Illinois. He was a three time All-American at Notre Dame, Captain of the 2002 Gold Medal Team USA and part of the 2006 Team USA.
It is not uncommon for retired athletes to become sports broadcasters when they retire. However, the Chicago Machine may be the first team to have a former broadcaster become a professional player. In the December 2005 supplemental draft, the Machine drafted former WCAV-TV anchor Zach Heffner.
Another Machine draftee, Lyle Shirley, is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame at Lake Forest College.
[edit] Coaches and others
- Kevin Finneran(Coach/GM) 2006
- John Meister (President) 2006
- Lelan Rogers Coach 2007
[edit] Current Team
- Attack: Steve Brundage #33, Ryan Danehy #29, Dan Flannery #24, Kevin Leveille #19, Sean Morris #2
- Midfield: Adam Goodwin #11, Zach Heffner #14, Brad Heritage #12, Chris Keating #23, Kevin Kelley #1, Chris Malone #45, Dan Paccione #3, Brent Rothfuss #21, Doug Shanahan #26
- Defense: Jeff Brigas #6, Michael Culver #36, Damien Davis #25, Jake Deane #17, Zach Gagel #43
- Goal Tender: Mike Gabel #9
[edit] Season-by-season
| Year | W | L | Regular season finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 12 | 4th Western Conference | - |
| Major League Lacrosse | |
|---|---|
| Eastern Conference: Boston Cannons | Long Island Lizards | New Jersey Pride | Philadelphia Barrage | Rochester Rattlers | Washington Bayhawks | |
| Western Conference: Chicago Machine | Denver Outlaws | Los Angeles Riptide | San Francisco Dragons | |
| Related articles: Steinfeld Cup | All Star Game | Most Valuable Player | Rookie of the Year | Coach of the Year | Defensive Player of Year | Offensive Player of the Year | Iron Lizard Award | Goaltender of the Year | Sportsman of the Year | Most Improved Player | Community Service Award | First draft selections | MLL Seasons | Stadiums | |
