Sporty
Apr 20th, 2009 | By lance | Category: Past B Articles“Stick Figures”
Story: Jacob Roeschley
Ryan Powell is an anomaly among American athletes. Though certainly one of the best of his game, his name isn’t one you’re likely to recognize— yet. Brilliant caught up with lacrosse’s star athlete at the PureSport Lacrosse Performance Clinic to learn how he’s planning to bring the sport to a television near you. 
“I have a stick in my hands at all times,” reveals American lacrosse player Ryan Powell. “My goal is to be the best I can possibly be, and I’ve always been the type of person that doesn’t settle.” With a determination in his voice, Powell sounds like any other professional athlete—enthusiastic and passionate for his game. The only Major League Lacrosse player to earn two MVP awards, several all-star game appearances, and more than a handful of collegiate honors, Powell is one of the best lacrosse players on the field today. But what sets Powell apart from the Kobe Bryants or Barry Bondses of the sporting world is the air of modesty in his speech. While he may enjoy the top spot of his game, lacrosse is not yet held in the high regard of other sports.
For most people the idea of the All-American sport involves a ball and mitt or a team of helmeted giants rather than a stick and a rubber ball. Phrases such as “Baltimore Crab” or “Canadian Egg Roll” bear little meaning to them beyond peculiar Asian-fusion dishes. However, before today’s beloved baseball and football rose to fame, lacrosse was the game of choice played on American soil. Invented by Native Americans long before Europeans arrived, lacrosse is possibly the oldest team sport still played in North America. A full contact sport, lacrosse involves high speeds, high scoring, and hard hits. Yet, despite its appeal, over the last century lacrosse has seen little action beyond that of prep schools and northeastern universities—a point that Powell is working to change.
Powell devotes most of his time to the growth of the game. While most professional lacrosse players treat the game as a part-time gig, Powell remains one of the few athletes to participate year-round. In addition to playing for two professional teams (one indoor, one outdoor), he runs camps and clinics and owns and operates Rhino Lacrosse, Powell Lacrosse, and the Ryan Powell Foundation, an organization dedicated to the promotion of lacrosse to underserved communities in the Portland, Oregon area. Last December in Austin, he also participated in the PureSport Lacrosse Performance Clinic at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, where he taught local students a few of his signature “stick tricks.”
Powell has worked to increase people’s exposure to lacrosse, and in the process, his own marketability has also increased. Powell holds endorsement deals with such brands as Nike and PureSport, a Texasbased sports drink company. Of PureSport, Powell says, “After getting some sample products sent out my way and realizing that this was something that really worked, it was easy for me to make the decision [to endorse PureSport.] I’ve noticed a big difference taking the recovery drink 30 minutes after working out.”
“Ryan Powell is one of the most recognizable names in his sport,” says Michael Humphrey, CEO of PureSport. “To be affiliated with a guy like him is a great opportunity for us… He’s one of the busiest athletes going today, and our product allows him to play at a high level and to recover and go again the next day.”
For his efforts, Powell has witnessed tremendous results. Within the last 10 years, lacrosse has begun to catch on, spreading to high schools and universities across the country. In 2001, Major League Lacrosse (America’s professional outdoor league) made its debut with just six teams and has now expanded to include 10 teams. Major media outlets such as ESPN have enabled lacrosse to reach a wider audience. “This past year, my pro indoor team, the Portland Lumberjax, played in the championship game,” Powell enthuses. “It was one of my all-time favorite moments going out in the beginning of the game. Just seeing how far lacrosse has come and how loud the arena was put chills through my body.”
