The Class of 2017: A National Run, A Lifetime of Memories

The Brown men's lacrosse Class of 2017 concluded its time on College Hill with three Ivy League Tournament appearances, two Ivy League titles, two NCAA Championship berths, an appearance in the NCAA National Semifinals, and the second-most wins for a class (46) in program history. Along the way, Dylan Molloy '17 won the 2016 Tewaaraton Award and became Brown's all-time leading scorer while Larken Kemp '17 and Alec Tulett '17 each earned All-America honors in 2016 and 2017.

Q: During your time at Brown, you won multiple Ivy League titles and earned multiple selections into the NCAA Championship. When you reflect on your careers, what is your most memorable team accomplishment?

Dylan Molloy: The most memorable team accomplishment for me was my junior year (2016) when we made it to the Final Four. Playing in the Final Four is every lacrosse player's childhood dream. The time leading up to the Final Four game against Maryland is personally memorable to me because I had broken my fifth metatarsal in my right foot and was in a boot/on a scooter up until game time. We did not know if I would be able to walk in my cleat, let alone run and be able to compete in a lacrosse game. Being able to walk onto the field with the rest of my team for that Final Four game was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a truly unforgettable memory for me.

Alec Tulett: While I consider back-to-back Ivy League Championships to be a very proud moment in my experience as a Brown lacrosse player, the 2016 end-of-season and playoff run that ended in the Final Four was, in my opinion, our greatest team accomplishment, and one that reflected the successful history of the Brown lacrosse program.

Q: Your class finished with 46 wins, the second-most wins for a class in program history. Given the storied tradition of Brown men's lacrosse, what does it mean for you for your class to rank so highly?

Larken Kemp: It is humbling and in many ways emotional. Playing Brown lacrosse was the privilege of my life, and I will always look back on my four years in brown and white with pride and joy. The number itself is of little relevance to me over the long run other than as the constant reminder of how fortunate I was to be surrounded by incredible teammates both as classmates, players, and most of all human beings.

Q: All three of you earned All-America honors on the field while also earning accolades for your academic accomplishments. How does your combined success on the field and in the classroom represent the program's culture?

DM: Great academics and athletics is the culture of Brown University. I was thrilled at the opportunity to play a sport that I love while getting an Ivy League education. Looking back now, I realize that my experience at Brown gave me all that I could have hoped for. Being a student-athlete at Brown helped me develop all the tools that I need to be successful in my career and in life. The academic culture at Brown allows for individual growth and encourages self-expression and experimentation in different areas of study. The balance of rigorous academics along with a full-time dedication to the sport is invaluable when preparing for life after college. My preparedness to handle new challenges in the future is a testament to the positive influence from Brown's culture.

AT: I see the accolades in both athletics and academics that many of my teammates shared in as a reflection of the dedication to a balance of on-field and off-field responsibilities that ultimately comes from the leadership and understanding of our coaching staff. I believe that Brown lacrosse has established a culture that encourages us to be the best people we can be, not just the best lacrosse players we can be.

Q: How did your relationships with teammates and coaches shape your Brown experience, and how do you hope others remember your time at Brown?

LK: Human happiness is derived from social interaction. The benefits of having 40 best friends and brothers during my time on College Hill are immeasurable. What makes team sports so unique is that through the ups and downs of a grueling Division I season, the student-athlete is faced with many challenges and decisions each of which has real world value that often correlates to the classroom, the workplace, and in his/her personal life. I would not be who I am today without lacrosse, specifically my coaches and teammates, for the role they played on my personal development. I hope I am remembered as a kind person who wore my heart on my sleeve and always gave my all to my friends, this program, and ultimately Brown University.

DM: The relationships that developed at Brown as a student-athlete – on and off of the lacrosse field – truly exceeded my expectations. Those lifelong bonds are what made my overall experience so incredible and memorable. My teammates became like a family to me, and that bond contributed to our success as a team. I experienced two different coaching staffs, and I am happy to say that I am still friends and in contact with every one of them. I hope that my time at Brown is remembered as a fun and exciting transition time for the lacrosse program and the beginning of its continued success.

Q: Dylan, you won the Tewaaraton Award as the nation's top player as a junior. How much did winning this award mean to you both as an individual and as a representative of Brown?

DM: The Tewaaraton Award is really a reflection of the 2016 Brown team because without all of the hard work and dedication of the team and coaches, I would not have won that award. Personally, I was excited that Brown lacrosse was getting respect for having dedicated, hard-working student-athletes that can compete with any of the top ranked teams. Unfortunately, Brown lacrosse does not get the television exposure and national attention that many of the other teams get on a regular basis. The 2016 team surprised a lot of people and demonstrated to upcoming student-athletes that they can get a superior Ivy League education while also having an incredible lacrosse experience at Brown University. This award was a testament to great players, great coaches, and great school support, and I am truly excited to have that Tewaaraton trophy displayed in my house and at Brown University.

Q: Larken and Alec, you both concluded your careers ranked in the top seven in NCAA history in long pole scoring. How much did you enjoy playing in a style that allowed you to enter into the offensive equation?

LK: What many people who are perhaps foreign to the game often overlook when discussing Mike Daly's fast-paced style of lacrosse is that at its fundamental core it is built around a belief and trust in his players. What more can you ask for as an athlete than to have the unwavering support and trust from your coaching staff to make the right play regardless of the circumstance. Mike is the model of what it means to be a "players" coach, and I will always be grateful to him for without our system change I can tell you with certainty that I would still be a "nobody from nowhere." However, beyond the accolades and the stats the reasons I will always love this coaching staff is that they made it fun and never lost sight of the biggest tool a player can have: confidence.

AT: I am very lucky and grateful that I was able to play for a coaching staff that "let the players play." Coach Tiffany recognized a team with high-caliber players and the right combination of talent to change the style of play that had been the norm for years, and with the help of Coach Kirwan and Coach Turner, they evolved the way the game was played at the Division I level. Playing with the full confidence of your coaches and freedom to make creative mistakes is a perfect environment for success. Since Coach Kirwan was a product of the Tufts lacrosse dynasty, the transition to playing under Coach Daly as well as Coach Callahan and Coach Schoenhut was a best-case scenario. Our style of play allowed our players similar latitude with the ball and a freedom to make our own decisions on the field. I am confident this staff will lead my former teammates and future classes to success, and I am excited to come back and watch at every opportunity.

NCAA Career Points
Rank	Student-Athlete	School	Years	Points
1.	Lyle Thompson	Albany	2012-15	400
2.	Rob Pannell	Cornell	2009-13	354
3.	Matt Danowski	Duke	2004-08	353
4.	Joe Vasta	Air Force	1983-86	343
5.	Tim Nelson	NC St./Syracuse	1982-85	320
6.	Dylan Molloy	Brown	2014-17	318
7.	Darren Lowe	Brown	1989-92	316

NCAA Career Long Pole Points
Rank	Student-Athlete	School	Years	Points
1.	Mason Poli	Bryant	2010-13	61
2.	Larken Kemp	Brown	2014-17	56
3.	Brian Farrell	Maryland	2007-11	59
4.	Scott Ratliff	Loyola	2010-13	44
5.	CJ Costabile	Duke	2009-12	42
6.	Connor Keating	Penn	2015-17	34
7.	Alec Tulett	Brown	2014-17	32

Brown Career Points
Rank	Student-Athlete	Goals	Assists	Points
1.	Dylan Molloy '17	197	121	318
2.	Darren Lowe '92	111	205	316
3.	David Evans '96	145	87	232
4.	Tom Gagnon '86	109	99	208
5.	Andy Towers '93	150	53	203
6.	Kylor Bellistri '16	124	48	172
7.	Oliver Marti '93	144	27	171
8.	Rick Handelman '80	59	109	168
9.	Tom Draper '64	123	39	162
	Andrew Feinberg '11	124	38	162

Brown University Athletics

The Class of 2017: A National Run, A Lifetime of Memories

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