Submitted by Mike Virgintino
The inaugural James C. Metzger Leadership Award for Nassau County high school lacrosse was presented to one player on each of the six teams competing in the finals of the 2014 Section VIII Nassau County high school boys’ lacrosse championship.
The matches were held on Tuesday, May 27, at Hofstra University. The participating high school teams were:CLASS A - Massapequa versus Syosset CLASS B - Manhasset versus LynbrookCLASS C - Cold Spring Harbor versus Locust Valley Each award recipient reflected the tenacity, honesty, commitment and positive attitude required in Nassau lacrosse. Each player also possessed the ability to inspire others on and off the field.
One of the six award recipients was Syosset High School senior defender Liam Blohm, who always received the team assignment to defend the opponent's top scorer. He's now headed to Ohio State.
The awards were presented personally by James Metzger, a Long Island high school and college lacrosse star. Metzger set assist records (82 in one season) and won many awards during his days at Half Hollow Hills East High School, including All-American honors and the 1977 Ray Enners Award for outstanding Suffolk County lacrosse player when he scored 102 points. Metzger also starred in football and played varsity basketball as a sophomore in the Suffolk County playoffs.
After graduation from high school, Metzger played lacrosse for two years at Hofstra University. As an All-American, he led Hofstra in assists during his freshman and sophomore seasons (1979 and 1980). His single season points per game average (4.9) ranks fourth all-time and his single season assist average (2.8) ranks eighth.
Metzger recently was inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame. He is the CEO of The Whitmore Group, a leading insurance services and estate planning company in the New York metropolitan area that is headquartered in Garden City.
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