June 6, 2001
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame seniors Mike Adams (Wilton, Conn.) and Kirk Howell (Nashville, Tenn.) have been to the 2001 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association of America (USILA) Scholar All-America team. Thirty-one student-athletes from Divisions I, II and III were named and will be honored at the annual Lacrosse All-American dinner on Sat., June 8 in Albany, N.Y. The dinner will be followed by the annual North-South All-Star games to be played on Sun., June 9 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The USILA Scholar All-America team recognizes student-athletes who have excelled academically, athletically, and as citizens in their respective communities. Athletes named to this team are seniors who have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and are a member of an All-America team or one of the North-South all-star teams.
Adams, who recently graduated cum laude with a cumulative grade point average of 3.439 from the University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. The Irish defenseman, a USILA honorable mention All-America selection, served as one of four captains this season as Notre Dame completed its best season in school history with a 14-2 record and advanced to the NCAA tournament national semifinals for the first time ever. A three-year starter, he anchored one of the best defenses in the country which ranked among the top teams nationally in scoring defense allowing just 6.93 goals per game as Notre Dame’s defense held six opponents to five goals and under this season. Adams registered three goals and an assist during his career and collected 118 ground balls.
Howell, Notre Dame’s starting goalkeeper the past three seasons, ranked among the nation’s leading goaltenders this season with a 7.07 goals against average and .632 save percentage. A USILA second-team All-America honoree, he started all 16 games and played all but 71 minutes this season. He allowed 105 goals and made 180 saves and held opponents to under 10 goals in all but three contests. His 498 career saves ranks third all-time at Notre Dame.
 |
| Kirk Howell |
Both players were first-team Great Western Lacrosse League selections at their respective positions.
Adams and Howell are the second and third Irish players in the history of the program to be named to the USILA Scholar All-America Team. In 1999, Chris Dusseau (1996-99) became the first Notre Dame player recognized for the honor.
The 2001 USILA Scholar All-America committee included: Mike Hanna, Hobart College director of athletics (chair), Bill Tierney, Princeton University head coach, James Stagnitta, Washington & Lee University head coach, Bryan Matthews, Washington College director of athletics, and John Spring, USILA executive director.
2001 USILA Scholar All-America Team
Mike Adams, Notre Dame, Mark Breier, Salisbury State, Scott J. Bross, Duke, Michael E. Brzezinski, Long Island University-C.W. Post, Andrew P. DeHass, St. Lawrence, Alexander Ellis, Bowdoin College, Pope T. Hackney, Washington & Lee, Christopher P. Hartofilis, Duke, Wes M. Haye, Washington & Lee, John J. Horrigan, Towson, Kirk Howell, Notre Dame, Peter M. Iwancio, Washington & Lee, Mark Juelis, Bucknell, David A. Kahn, Franklin & Marshall, David S. Key, Cornell, Michael Law, Denver, Lucas D. Little, Mercyhurst, Sean P. McCauley, Marymount, Ryan Mollett, Princeton, Timothy R. Nicholas, Denison, Bernard F. Norton, Washington & Lee, Stuart Schwartz, Duke, Brian Soper, Adelphi, Matt Striebel, Princeton, Christopher M. Sulllivan, Brown, Brett J. Sweeney, Western Maryland, Thomas Terzulli, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Trevor R. Tierney, Princeton, Brett D. Tillett, St. Mary’s College (Md.), Stephen D. Vallandingham, St. Mary’s (Md.), and Matthew A. Vallone, Penn State.