Kyle Lewis

Intro

SPEAKER_01 0:32

Welcome, welcome, welcome to a special edition of the feast with Danny and Kevin, a coast-to-coast discussion of deep two mensacts. I'm your co-host, Kevin Stenstrom, and with me as always is the Consummant Knicks fan, Danny Moran.

SPEAKER_02 0:47

Oh, hell yeah.

SPEAKER_01 0:49

Oh, hell yeah, Consummant Knicks fan. How about those Knicks? Okay. I have to say something, Danny. I had another intro until I woke up this morning and saw the Knicks one. I'm like, I gotta change that for Danny.

SPEAKER_02 1:01

You're damn right. You can't be doing that. Like, what a what a series. What a team. Grit determination. Totally. You know, two sweeps, beating teams by 25. I'm a huge Knicks fan, Kev. I've been a Knicks fan my entire life since I'm a little kid. And to see that happen was it was cool.

SPEAKER_01 1:23

I've been watching you on social media talk about the Knicks four years. So I'm very happy for you that they made it. But Danny. Kev, it's summertime, man.

SPEAKER_02 2:06

Yeah, it's summertime.

SPEAKER_01 2:07

It's summertime. And it's a good thing. We did not have much of a break on this pod like we usually do in the summer. But this episode we had to do. You remember, Danny, in the beginning of our third season, we did a series of episodes where we talked with former D2 players who made it to the pros. Shane Jackson, Connor Farrell, Ethan Tysert, Charlie Beltran, Charlie Bertrand. Yeah. All great players in their own right. Well, now there's a former D2 player who just joined the PLL and is taking it by storm. Oh, yeah. So we needed to get him on as soon as possible and tell a story. So let's just welcome in. He's been here several times before on

Kyle Lewis

SPEAKER_01 2:51

this pod. Kyle Lewis of the Philadelphia Water Dogs.

unknown 2:55

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 2:55

Hey Kyle. How are we doing? Yes, Kyle Lewis is in the house. He is in the house, folks. I can't tell you how excited I am for this young man. And Kyle, welcome to the program by yourself, kid. No Adelphi no more. You're the former Adelphi Panther. Now the current rookie water dog. How are you doing, my friend? Doing good. Can't complain. You know, some are doing well. So if you complained, I'd be smacking you right now. It's funny, Danny.

SPEAKER_01 3:26

I I was actually texting with Coach Volpe. That's how I got Kyle's uh phone number. I'm like, hey, if you can give it to me, I just want to reach out and congratulate him. And Kyle being the the nice person he is, he actually responded to me with it wasn't like days. And maybe it was definitely a few hours. It was like the next day. Totally understand. I mean, he just had a I I first of all I have to ask Kyle, how many text messages did you get after that game?

SPEAKER_00 3:51

Oh yeah, a whole bunch.

SPEAKER_01 3:56

I bet. That is so congrats on what you've done in your first out in the POL, PLL. You were blowing up social media, but to be frank, we knew Danny and I talked about this, and I've talked to other coaches. We knew that you could do that in the pros. Because we've seen you play. Especially when I watched you in the final against Tampa, there were some plays that you just you were on a different stratosphere than the other players on the field. And and I was so excited to see you in that game. Like I said, I was saying this later. I was telling you a little bit earlier. I'm a huge Cannons fan. Well, they're my team because I grew up in Massachusetts. So I was excited for this game because not only can I watch the Boston Cannons, I thought they had a good chance of winning, but I could watch the Water Docs. Yeah, well, the Cannons weren't doing so well, so I was really just focused on when are they going to put Kyle back on the field so I can watch him play? How did that feel that day?

SPEAKER_00 4:54

Yeah, it was awesome. You know, I've been waiting for that for so long. So um it was just a great experience. The whole trip down to Charlotte and you know, the win to top it off. You know, we really wanted that win. So uh to get that win over the cannons was just awesome.

SPEAKER_01 5:09

Yeah, that's that's awesome. We'll get to some of that. But Danny, I think you had some other questions you wanted to get to.

SPEAKER_02 5:14

Well, you know, like I I have a million questions for Kyle because first of all, he's such a good kid, he's got such a great pedigree and background. Um, I wanted to talk to Kyle like how you got into the game of lacrosse. You're a Long Island kid, um, Franklin Square, Kerry High School. Uh, did you play like other sports? Did you play football, like youth football and stuff like that?

SPEAKER_00 5:38

Yeah, so it's actually funny. I was born in Queens. I was born in Flushing, Queens, where lacrosse isn't a thing. Right. And when I was in first grade, I moved out to Long Island. And you know, you come here and all the kids got on the neon shorts and all the lacrosse gear. So all my friends were wearing all the lacrosse stuff, and uh it kind of made me want to get into the game. So uh I started playing in I think I believe it was second, third grade. Wow. Just for PAL for my PAL team. Right. And um, I didn't play travel growing up really. Um, because I played baseball as well. I was I loved baseball, it was baseball, football, and lacrosse. Those are like my three. Um but um yeah, in 10th grade, I I quit baseball and joined Express with to play for Coach Shani, and and that's when I was kind of kind of took over.

SPEAKER_02 6:23

Well, for the folks that don't know about Express out there, because there's Kyle, everybody from across the country listens to us, and we have people from other countries that listen to us. So for people who don't know what Express is, it's a pay-to-play travel team here on Long Island, but it's one of the best in the country. They put together phenomenal teams, they go to the best tournaments, and Coach Chanachuk has been there for many, many years and has put more Division I players and people into the pros than maybe just about any other coach around on Long Island. So to play for Express is phenomenal. I I know that you must have played some great competition while you were with Express.

SPEAKER_00 7:06

Oh, yeah. And like my teammates were some of the best on Long Island, like Joey Terenzi, Jack Ascadon. Like that team was just unreal. And to be able to play like with them and against the teams we were playing, it helped my progress so much.

SPEAKER_02 7:18

Right. Now, so you played PAL, you're playing high school ball. Carrie has a pretty decent lacrosse team. You know, they they make it to the playoffs most of the time. Who'd you play with at Carey? That's a pretty good lacrosse players.

SPEAKER_00 7:32

Yeah, I think like my five best friends um are they played a big role in my development as a lacrosse player. So Jojo Todaro, he played at Johns Hopkins, he was one of the best defensemen on Long Island. Uh Mike Faron, uh, he plays at Penn State, he's a captain. Jimmy O'Connell led BU in in points just a year ago. Deed Metzger played at Providence, Nick Cowan at Delaware, and uh Brandon Tello, who played at Pace. Those guys, like you could imagine me training with them every, you know, every day over the summer. Like it helped me out so much. And then the coaches from Carrick, uh, Coach Aiello, uh, Coach Stefano, Coach Kemp, you know, and my JB coaches Snyder and Luzzi, like they helped they helped me out so much growing up just to learn the game and getting used to you know the sport. That's one that's one high school, public high school in one little town.

SPEAKER_02 8:19

Yeah, okay. I know that's how many players came out of that little town and that little high school.

SPEAKER_01 8:23

So I uh yeah, I have two questions off of that when you said all that. First of all, did your buddy from Penn State, was he the one that was trying to draw you to Penn State for your your final year? Was he one of the ones that were trying to get you to go there?

SPEAKER_00 8:35

Uh, you know, it was definitely Penn State was one of the schools that was that was already on my mind, like entering the school portal, but definitely him being one of my best friends. Uh, that definitely played a factor because I had visited up there. I'd stayed at his house, and um, you know, we see each other every day. We we grind over the summer. So, you know, talking to him every day definitely uh kind of Yeah, I bet.

SPEAKER_01 8:56

That's great. That's the the connections are important. It you yeah, you'll know more and more as you go through networking. It's and I don't mean networking in a bad way, but it's all your connections that you have that help you down the road and you help other people. That's just the way it works, right? And that's great. Now, all those guys that you played with, a lot of a lot of them, I'm sure there's other guys that you play with, maybe have gone D2 or whatever. So, did you get D1 looks recruiting and you decided to go to Delphi? Or were you mainly looked at by or was a Delphi always like I want to stay closer to home? What was kind of your thought process when you're going through your recruiting for college?

SPEAKER_00 9:32

Yeah, so it was kind of everywhere. Um, my I was late, I was very late to the recruiting process because um being like the younger kid, I'm the youngest kid in my grade, I'm supposed to be technically a still in college right now because of my birthday, but um like 11th grade, I was going through the recruiting process. I didn't know if I wanted to do football or lacrosse, and I was just kind of bouncing around from like showcases and prospect days. But um, I started to realize that being on Long Island, like the opportunity for lacrosse is just unreal. So I when I figured out that I was gonna go with lacrosse, I had um I got looks from a bunch of D1 schools, um, and it was actually funny. I just came from the Ruckers prospect day. I came home and uh like I didn't know what I wanted to do. And my mom was like, Look, like you gotta go to this Adelphi prospect day, like it's down the block. I'm like, like mom, I want to play Division I. But uh, and and and I didn't even think about Adelphi. And then I went to it, and you know, the the coaches sat me down after, and luckily it was the best decision of my life they took off. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 10:34

You know, they talk, they they say they say D2 isn't real, you know. You go on social media and you see all the D2 ain't real, dude. It's for real, it's real, man. And and you're a real good proof of that. Uh but I want to backtrack to the portal now. So you win your second national championship and you received a lot of accolades, you know, your junior year, you know, first team All-American and all of that. It's well deserved. What made you say to yourself, hey, I'd like to enter the portal and see? Did you just did you want to just see what was out there? What was Coach Purdy like? He must have been like, no, Kyle, no, no. Yeah, you know, like what what went through your mind to say to yourself, hey, listen, I I want to put my name out there. What what what brought you to that?

SPEAKER_00 11:22

I think it was kind of like the little kid in me who would, you know, watch all those big schools growing up. And um, I kind of just wanted to go into the portal just to see, you know, what other teams had for me, like what you know, what teams would reach out on, you know, what they're offering. And um, you know, yeah, like I said, it was like, you know, I I watched these schools on TV growing up, and you know, you wear their shirts like Penn State, you know, UNC, like all these big 10 AT schools, and um, you know, it was kind of a dream of mine uh growing up. So I guess entering the portal was kind of just like um just to see what what they would say. Right.

SPEAKER_02 11:56

So now Coach Purdy over the week over the championship weekend kind of let the cat out of the bag that you turned down a bucket load of money to do that. Yeah, I when I heard the the number, I was in shock, man. I was like, holy crap, I didn't know that that kind of money was getting tossed around to lacrosse players, you know. And to dude, I mean that's a big decision.

SPEAKER_01 12:20

I've listened to a lot of lacrosse podcasts that are like that trying to figure out that number, if that number was real or not, you know. So you can either tell us if it's accurate or not, but I'm I'm sure you were in at something.

SPEAKER_00 12:30

Yeah, it's definitely I I think it's definitely misleading the way the media put it because it kind of seems like it was that that amount of money in like NIL that was going straight to my pocket, like that's not what it was at all. Yeah, scholarship and yeah, I think Coach P was re referring to like because that whole package. The whole package, yeah. Okay, interesting.

SPEAKER_02 12:51

Okay, okay. Definitely, definitely was not that amount in my pocket.

SPEAKER_01 12:56

When I heard the number, I was like, God dog. But so then interestingly, like supposedly did you go to Penn State for like a week? Were you there for a little bit of time? Was that correct? I've heard that, or like what what was the and what made you decide to come stay at Adelphi?

SPEAKER_00 13:14

Yeah, no, I think I heard that too. Um I never went to Penn State. I didn't sign yet. So um I just committed for a couple verbally committed to Coach Tambroni for a couple of days, and then um and then you know, I was those two days, it was, you know, it was obviously unreal kind of calling Coach Purdy, who we have like a father-son relationship, and and telling him, you know, that I'm gonna be leaving him, and uh all my teammates just sending a text, you know, sending the text in that group chat. Um, it was a very emotional two or two days for me. Oh, I bet. And um, you know, just kind of thinking it through and talking with my mom and uh, you know, talking to the coaches, you know, I think it was the best decision to come back to Adelphi, and and I'm glad I made that decision. And um, you know, Coach Tambroni and and all the Penn State, the whole the uh the staff they have there, it was you know great talking to them, and I have the utmost respect for their their program because I think they run it really well and you know they don't just care about players, they care about people, and that's the reason that's kind of what drew me into bitting the first place. Um, but I think you know, overall I made the the right decision to to stay at Adelphi, and I'm glad I did. Yeah, I think Coach Purdy would agree with that decision too.

SPEAKER_02 14:27

I I agree with the decision, I think it's a good decision. Because Kyle, you know, because of the podcast, I get a lot of DMs, you know, like when stuff got happens and you know, Kyle entered the portal, and I was like, why wouldn't he, man? Like, why wouldn't he? He's just bawling out, like he can maybe do something at the next level. And then they said, Well, he's staying at Adelphi. And I said, you know what? It makes sense, it makes sense. You know, that's his boys, those are his guys, you know. They those are the guys he went to war with, you know, and you you go get a chance to get to that third national championship, which you almost got there. It's insane. I mean, it was just a what a run, man, huh?

SPEAKER_00 15:07

Yeah, it was unreal. Um, the you know, the the locker room at Adelphi and the you know the whole culture we have there is just it it was just a great four years. It was a great experience, and I'm so grateful to you know have the coaches that that I met um along the journey and and uh the players, like each and every one of those teams were just really special.

SPEAKER_02 15:27

I remember your sophomore year. You never came off the field. You were playing like two-way crazy. I was like, Kevin, this guy doesn't come off the field. It's amazing what this kid can do. You're only a sophomore. And I knew then, I was like, this kid's special, he's special. I could see your athleticism, I could see your speed, but just what you were able to do on the field, I was just crazy. And you know, Kyle, you've player of the year, midfielder of the year, all-American, any 10, just accolade after accolade, and every single one of them was completely well deserved. So now how'd the whole PL thing come about? The draft, the combine day. Talk to us about how that came to fruition.

SPEAKER_01 16:13

Yeah, I'm I'm curious. Yeah, did you get were you surprised that you were drafted, or were you contacted a little bit by some teams or the coach contacted? Because I would assume they were trying to do some some of their own due diligence.

SPEAKER_00 16:26

Yeah, so I I was I was a little surprised. Um, we I contact a couple coaches had contacted me before the draft, but um, you know, on draft day, we were playing pace at seven o'clock, and the draft was at seven o'clock. So that's right. You I had no idea like what was going on. You know, I'm just playing the game, you're not really thinking about it. But um, and then after the game, you know, I guess it was like one of the last draft picks, and and my mom just screamed out, you know, that I'm going to Philadelphia. And and you know, that was just a that was an awesome moment because the game, like I didn't hear anything. I was like, damn, like I didn't get drafted, like you know, but um it was just a great moment, and it definitely caught me by surprise.

SPEAKER_01 17:06

But uh so was your mom, was your mom like watching it on ESPN or something, trying to see, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:12

So the parents were all lined up to say hi to the kids after the game, and we were kind of still in our huddle, and my mom had it on ESPN on her phone, and she just started screaming, and uh, and uh, you know, the boys got hyped for me, and it was just an awesome experience.

SPEAKER_02 17:27

How exciting is that, you know, and you get to go go and play for coach a leg another legend coach in Bill Tierney, who I quote said this to about you this guy's legit. I don't have any doubt he belongs. That's what quote unquote what Bill Tierney said about you.

SPEAKER_00 17:48

Yeah, he he's a he's I mean calling him was like you know, he's one of the best coaches to ever do it. So to be able to play under him and and coach Cottle and Coach Lou and Coach Sheridan is just like it's unreal. They're they're such great coaches.

SPEAKER_02 18:02

Did you ever think you'd look that good in purple? Because you look good in purple, kid.

SPEAKER_01 18:10

My college color, too. Oh yeah, yeah. That's uh so you get drafted, but you're still playing for a Delphi when training camps start. So what was the team that Water Dogs telling you about your chances to play? Is that where they were? I mean, I'm just curious. Because they started the season earlier this year, what you were drafted, so like was that in question? Like, are you gonna be on the 25-man roster? Were you having discussions like that? Well, how did that transpire?

SPEAKER_00 18:41

Yeah, I didn't I didn't really know what to expect because they were just kind of letting us they didn't want to interfere with our college uh seasons, like we'd have Zoom meetings, but um, you know, they didn't want to interfere too much. So I didn't really know what to expect, but uh I got on a call with Coach Tierney and um he kind of brought up that that PLL the pro day uh as like an option. He didn't say you know I had to go or anything, but um and I I looked at it as a great way to kind of prove to them more that you know uh and show them my ability. So, you know, we played the national championship on on Sunday, and then uh that pro day was on uh Wednesday, and Coach Cottle called me before seeing if you know if I wanted to go. And you know, as a rookie, you know, I'm not gonna say no. Of course, of course.

SPEAKER_01 19:27

Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full.

SPEAKER_00 19:30

Yeah, so um, yeah, it was in Baltimore and had a nice drive down there with my mom, and uh it was a great experience, you know, meeting all the coaches and some of the division one players that you know I've watched these past couple of months. Um, and just to be able to play, it was it was great.

SPEAKER_01 19:47

They said you were the best on the field that you balled out, you were the stand every just what Danny said. Everything I've read, listened to, said you were the standout of the day. How did that feel? What did you walk us through playing that day?

SPEAKER_00 20:02

Yeah, so I I don't really know what to expect because my legs were still kind of beat up from the national championship. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I remember getting that that that um well it was that Tuesday we drove down and like I was like, oh god, like I can't I can barely walk. But um it was great, you know. I was just just playing, like I you know, uh just going out there playing my best lacrosse. And uh money. Yeah, and uh, you know, the players there were also they were good. So, you know, when you surround yourself with with good players, it I think it brings a little more out of you. And uh, you know, I'm glad I was able to, you know, play pretty good. Yeah, pretty good. Listen to him.

SPEAKER_01 20:42

His his interview after the the first game against the Canons was so he was so humble and and did everything to his team. And he's been that way, Kyle. You've been that way ever since on any podcast. We've had you on any episode. And and that's the other thing I love about you because you downplay and and I and I don't think you do it, I think you do it subconsciously. Like you downplay what you have done because you're always looking to improve.

SPEAKER_00 21:16

Yeah. Yeah, I was just gonna say, like, you know, as much as I you know, I had a couple good highlight plays of the pro day, I I still didn't think I played my best lacrosse, and like, you know, coming at home from that, it's kind of like, all right, what do I need to improve on? You know, so back on the field, you know, working on on what I need to get better.

SPEAKER_02 21:32

So you know, you mentioned about you know playing with better players, bringing out the best in you. Let's talk about some of the players that are on the dogs. Guys by the name of Michael Sowers. Yeah, a little guy by the name of CJ Kurst, Connor Kelly, Karen McCardle, Zach Currier, and Josh Iago, just to name a few. What the heck is that like to play with these guys on this level, man? These guys are all sick.

SPEAKER_00 22:00

You know, it's it's unreal. You know, I it feels like yesterday I was slowing down videos of Michael Sowers trying to copy his moves. But like, you know, just to be able to play with them, you know, the whole offense is just is just loaded with talent and um just smart lacrosse players and and you know, really good lacrosse players, especially with CJ and Sours, in my eyes, the the two best players in the world. So to be able to catch passes from them is just unreal. And um, along with the other middies, like obviously Josh Iago, like we're kind of rookie buddies, so yeah. I watched him a couple months ago, and you know, it's great to be able to play with all of them. Yeah, unbelievable.

SPEAKER_01 22:38

What has that locker room been like for you as a rookie coming in and as a D2 player? And oh, by the way, you have Connor Farrell on your team, another D2 player. So, what has that been like? Have they been like totally welcoming? How how did are they trying to help you out in your game as well to better the team? Because your rookie middies, you and Yago balled out to really help that team and and make a lot of points for them against the Cannons.

SPEAKER_00 23:05

Yeah, so I didn't really know what to expect, obviously. You know, going in, these are the best of cross players in the world. Yeah, but you know, it turns out like they were so welcoming, and I think it helped me so much. Like my teammates would give me pep talks, and you know, they'd kind of tell me, you know, you're here for a reason, just go out there, play your game. And even though I met them for it was only a day I was with them before our first game, it kind of felt like you know, we went to high school together. The way they were just they were all so cool and welcoming, and and it definitely helped my confidence out going into the game.

SPEAKER_02 23:32

Yeah, your first goal, beautiful dish, and then bang, behind the back. I was like, okay, that's a hell of a way to start off your career.

SPEAKER_01 23:41

That's a statement.

SPEAKER_02 23:42

That was awesome. And and the you know, I'm sure you watch the game, the announcements and niche and cark, and those guys just were like, wow, this kid is just unreal. But the second goal, Kyle, the second goal. What you mean when they're yelling out, righty, righty, he goes lefty down the alley and rips one, man. That was some goal. I was like, Oh my god, you no one's stopping that. That must have been such a great feeling to know that you could stick one in the back of the net in your first game. And tell us what was the emotion like?

SPEAKER_00 24:17

Yeah, it was it was just exciting, like super exciting. That's something I've literally dreamed about, you know, is is scoring on the big stage. So to be able to put two in was just unreal. And um, you know, the first one, you know, Sours made it easy for me. He I didn't have to move my stick at all. You know, it was kind of just threw it behind my back, and uh, you know, luckily it went in. And then the second one, like you said, like he called out righty. So, you know, I I had to go to my left. Oh, yeah. They probably knew I was going right. So yeah, and it was actually funny. Uh Coach Tierney, um, on one of the first plays of the game, he was like, you know, get to your strong hand, like you know, get to your strong hand, and then you know, they call out righty, and I went to my left. So that was a pretty cool moment.

SPEAKER_01 25:01

So now Coach Tierney say anything to you when you got off the field after that goal and when you went left.

SPEAKER_00 25:06

Yeah, so he he was like, because he was telling me in the beginning, like, get to your strong hand, like you know, I I didn't get you to be a lefty, and then when I scored lefty, he was like he was like laughing jokingly, like trying to prove me wrong. Like just a great moment.

SPEAKER_02 25:19

It was a great moment with Coach Tierney. Oh, that's fantastic, man. That's fantastic.

SPEAKER_01 25:24

Were what was it like? Were you just were things just opening up for you on the field? Could you you know what was your it just it seemed like it was very comfortable to you out there? It w what were you seeing? What was making it easy? Was it because of some of the other players on your team, some of the things that Canon's defense was doing, or was it just you know, you're just out there balling, you had some good opportunities. The lefty, though, like we just talked about, was classic.

SPEAKER_00 25:51

Yeah, I think uh the biggest uh reason why I was able to succeed that game, I think, is because obviously all the attention is going to CJ Sours, you know, uh CK, T Mac, like Jack Hannah, like all these unreal players. You know, they're not really thinking about you know the D2 kid who's who's playing in his debut. So you know, that definitely played a huge role in why I was able to score. But um, I think also just kind of playing my game. Like that's something that the um Sours kind of said to me before the game, like, hey, just go out there, play your game. Like, you're here for a reason. So um, I was just playing uh, you know, uh, you know, the game of the short stick. So that's you know do your thing, man. Just kind of going out there and playing, and uh, you know, I'm glad we got it done. It was a it was a big one for you.

SPEAKER_02 26:36

You know what, Kyle, you do belong. You do belong. I don't want you to ever think that for a second that maybe this is just a flash in the pan. You do belong. You're one of the best athletes I've seen at the division two level, maybe maybe the best offensive player to come out of division two. It's it's you're up there, man, and you belong in the PLL. And talk, let's talk about the speed of the game at that level. How's how fast is it?

SPEAKER_00 27:03

Yeah, so that's that's something I was uh I kind of know what to expect. Like it is just a different game. You know, the obviously the shot clock's a lot shorter, the lines are different. Um and then that you know, it took me definitely took me a game to get used to the pace. Um, and then the talent is obviously just unreal. Like off the charts. Usually when you know in college you get a short sticky midi and your eyes light up, but you know, in the PLL you realize that you're going against one of the best short sticky middies in the world. So um, you know, the talent is unreal, but at the same time, you're playing with other really talented players, so that helps out. And um, yeah, it it it it was definitely something to get used to. But I think uh I think after that game, I'll be pretty comfortable.

SPEAKER_01 27:47

So what's next? I mean, uh there's a bye week for the whole uh PLL this week, and then Water Dogs have another by have your bye week. Yeah, so you're not playing until you get into July, is that correct? Um no, so you so they got a game on the 29th or something like that.

SPEAKER_00 28:04

Yeah, I think it's the 28th or the 27th. We uh like you said, the league's on a bye week this week, and then the PL actually plays at Hofstra at the final. I know. And and we're all we're all like uh it's crazy because we have the most probably the team with the most Long Island guys on the team.

SPEAKER_01 28:21

And you're not playing.

SPEAKER_00 28:22

Philly's not playing. So uh the week after, though, we head to San Diego and we play the Archers, so that'll be a fun one.

SPEAKER_02 28:28

That's cool. I gotta be honest with you, when the PLL first started, I was like, man, I gotta pick a team. You know, I just can't roll with everybody. I gotta pick a team. So my high school was the Bulldogs, and my two kids went to Wingate. They played for the Bulldogs, so I went with the dogs. I went with the water dogs. I was like, all right, I'm gonna go with the water dogs. Now that had to have been the second second season.

SPEAKER_01 28:49

Yeah, that had to be the second, they weren't even the first season, they weren't a team yet.

SPEAKER_02 28:52

That's right. I'm I'm a complete water dogs fan now.

SPEAKER_01 28:55

Well, and I have to say, like, I I've switched back and forth. Uh, and I went when when the water dogs came out, because they're water dogs, I I immediately thought about the Navy, have watered water dogs. And I always wanted, I always liked like them. Obviously, I had to pick the cannons first when they came in and did that, but tell you what, I am definitely a a water dog fan and just can't wait to see you on the field again, Kyle. And I have to say this, I have to say this, Danny, just before you go. I texted with Coach Vol Coach Volpe after that game, and he could not have said it better. He said that you are a true ambassador for the D2 world. You put Adelphi and D2 on your back that night and rang the bell. And I couldn't think of a better quote to exemplify what you did that night, but what you have done. I mean, you are a true ambassador for the sport of lacrosse and certainly for D2.

SPEAKER_00 29:52

Thank you. Yeah, I appreciate it. You know, it's uh it was a pleasure playing at Adelphi, and I'll always, you know, I'll always rep D2. So absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 30:01

Hey, Kev. You know what time it is, right?

SPEAKER_00 30:05

Oh.

SPEAKER_02 30:10

We gotta take Mr. Lewis through the firing round. What do you say? I I totally agree. All right, 10 questions, Kyle. You ready to go? Do it. I'm ready. Mom's best meal. I'd say probably chicken cutlets. She's Italian. All right, sounds good. Mom, I like chicken cutlets too. She's back there listening. Uh uh PlayStation or Xbox?

SPEAKER_00 30:35

Uh I'll go Xbox. Definitely Xbox.

SPEAKER_02 30:37

ESPN or Netflix? ESPN.

SPEAKER_00 30:40

I don't watch Netflix.

SPEAKER_02 30:41

Me neither. Morning Bird or Night Owl? Uh, definitely Morning Bird. Yeah?

SPEAKER_00 30:46

What's your go-to breakfast food? Just some eggs, probably some you know, sourdough toast.

SPEAKER_02 30:52

Alright, sounds good. Favorite music?

SPEAKER_00 30:55

Uh I I'm everywhere music. I love country, I love rap, I love house. I love I listen to all good music.

SPEAKER_02 31:01

Okay, so when you're putting your your your iPod on and before a game, what are you listening to to pump you? Probably rap music. Rap. Okay, who, what's your artist? Um I like rod weave. I really like rod weave. Okay. All right, sounds good. Favorite thing to do off field. I love to golf. Oh, wow, me too, man. Kevin, too. Yeah. I love to golf. Maybe one day we'll get a threesome or four summer. Get Volpe to come out with us. There we go. Yeah. Um, something like you like to do to relax and decompress.

SPEAKER_00 31:35

Uh definitely go to the beach, especially in the summer. I like to, you know, or actually me and my buddies uh go on bike rides.

SPEAKER_02 31:42

So that meant you and I are a lot alike. Because first of all, I live on the beach. I can hear the whistles from the lifeguards right now. And I ride my bike all the time in the summer. I do like six, seven miles. It's awesome. Yeah, I love it. Um give us tell us something on your bucket list.

SPEAKER_00 32:02

Um definitely to go on a vacation. I I haven't really left the country and uh I've only been on a plane with my uh with my teams, whether it's Adelphi or Philly, so I definitely want to go on a vacation with either my family or my buddies. Where would you like to go? I don't know, somewhere, somewhere like probably like Aruba or something. I don't know too much about traveling, so Aruba's pretty nice.

SPEAKER_02 32:25

I've been there. It's pretty cool. Okay. What was your favorite class at Adelphi?

SPEAKER_00 32:32

My favorite class? I'd say probably one of the health classes, uh, because I'm a Phys Ed major, so I don't remember the exact names, but all the health classes and the phys ed classes were awesome. Okay, great.

SPEAKER_02 32:45

What has been your most rewarding lacrosse memory?

SPEAKER_00 32:50

Uh I'd say probably winning that first national championship. That was amazing. Like we hadn't done it in 23 years, so to be able to win that and you know, to see all the reactions was just awesome.

SPEAKER_02 33:01

I was there. We were there. Kevin and I were there. It was awesome. I was hanging out with all we were hanging out with the parents.

SPEAKER_00 33:08

I remember seeing you guys at at Drexel. I think it was Drexel we were practicing at the end. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 33:12

Yeah, we're at Drexel. Um, okay. Last question. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

SPEAKER_00 33:21

Ooh, that's a good one. Um, you know, I see myself still playing in the in the PLL. There you go, kid. There you go. Maybe the NLL and you know, just kind of going full-time lacrosse coaching and all that. So I'm gonna try to take lacrosse as far as it can go. That's great, man.

SPEAKER_02 33:37

That's great. Uh well, folks, there you have it. Kyle Lewis, former Adelphi Panther now, Philadelphia water dog, rep in D2. D2 is real. Uh, Kev, what do you got to say? What a great, what a great interview today.

SPEAKER_01 33:53

Yeah, we loved having you on, Kyle. Again, and really being able to spend some time with you. Most of the times we had you on, it was with the other teammates of Adele with Adelphi. So uh really appreciate you coming on. And we always say this, but we really do mean this. We wish you the best in your career going forward in whatever you do. You're a very special player and you're a better person. So thank you so much for taking the time and doing this special edition episode within the crease.

SPEAKER_00 34:21

Thank you guys.

SPEAKER_01 34:22

Go D2. Thanks, Kyle. Real. All right, see you guys.

Final Thoughts

SPEAKER_01 34:27

Danny, that was a lot of fun, and I would say, well worth coming off the summer break, however short it was, to spend a little time with Kyle Lewis.

SPEAKER_02 34:36

What a great kid. That's all I can say. You know, he's a great player, but just a really good kid. What great job his folks did, huh?

SPEAKER_01 34:45

Yeah, and the smile on his face when he's talking about playing and and and talking about his buddies and everything else. It just was just a lot of fun and really, really appreciate uh that he came on. I don't have any shout-outs because I'm my only shout out is, I guess, to Kyle Lewis and the Philadelphia Water Dogs.

SPEAKER_02 35:02

Yeah, well, D2 is real. Get on the batch real. And you know what?

SPEAKER_01 35:07

You still have to be behind the Boston Cannons for me. I still have to root for them first.

SPEAKER_02 35:10

But that's okay. You're allowed. You're allowed. But uh just to watch him and just to see what he's been able to do just in one game on the field, and just the way the you know everybody, Clark and Anish and all the guys on ESPN spoke about him, and just what you know Bill Tierney had to say about him. Yeah, telling him he's legit. Like he's a legend. If he says you're legit, you're legit.

SPEAKER_03 35:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 35:34

You know what? It's just he's just a great kid, you know, just a great human being. He's gonna be very successful at whatever he does. You know what I mean? Whatever he puts his foot down to do, he's gonna be successful. So great having him on.

SPEAKER_01 35:51

Yeah, it was. And and so with that, Danny, I think for this special edition, that's a wrap.

SPEAKER_02 36:08

Hey, the merch store is still open for all our folks out there.

SPEAKER_01 36:13

24-7. Yeah, in the crystalcross pod dot com.

SPEAKER_02 36:17

We got t-shirts for you know for the summertime. We got some hats to keep that sun off your face so you don't get melanoma. So let's put t-shirts. I got one on today, guys.

SPEAKER_01 36:29

I love it. I love it. I like it in the gray.

SPEAKER_02 36:36

That's a wrap.