In the next of our series of interviews with Stars of the NLL, we had a chance for some question and answer time from one of the brightest young stars in the world today; Portland’s Brodie Merrill. Enjoy!
GM: First congratulations on being nominated for the Harry Glickman award in Portland for Male Pro Athlete of the year. You were nominated along with Steven Jackson (NFL), Chad Johnson (NFL), Kasey Keller (U.S. National Team Soccer), and Zach Randolph (NBA). Describe that experience if you can.
BM: Thank you, it is a tremendous honor. Lacrosse is a relatively new sport in the Northwest, so it is nice to be recognized among the other elite professional athletes in Oregon. Being nominated for this award is a little surreal for me. Being a sports fan, I have followed the careers of the other nominees and really admire their contributions to their respective sports.
GM: You were very highly touted coming into the NLL, and many (including Coach Keenan) deem you the best defensive – transition player in the game today. Do you feel that that is a pressure and how do you handle the situation?
BM: Yes I do feel some pressure, but I try to channel that pressure in positive manner. Derek and the rest of the coaching staff have showed a great deal of faith in me. I feel I have a responsibility to the coaches and my teammates to give my best effort night in and night out. I think pressure can be a good thing if you use it to push yourself to get better.
GM: Describe playing for a Coach like Derek Keenan.
BM: It is kind of funny that I ended up in Portland playing for Derek, because he has a similar coaching philosophy as Dave Urick, my coach at Georgetown. He cares more about his players than wins and losses—I think that is rare in sports. He wants to win just as much as any other coach, but there is no hidden agenda. He also realizes that great teams are not just made up of great players, but great people too. He surrounds himself with character people. This is never compromised. Terrell Owens wouldn’t last two seconds on our team!
Derek and the rest of the coaching staff really commit to making sure that our team is in a position where we can perform at our highest level through preparation.
GM: What would you say is your best attribute, the one thing that got you to where you are in lacrosse today?
BM: I would say my commitment to working hard away from the game. Growing up playing minor lacrosse, I never really stood out on any of my teams. Once I got a little older and started to focus on training, I began to separate myself a little from other players. I’m definitely not the most skilled lacrosse player in the world, so I really need to focus on my preparation.
GM: Give us if you can a game day routine from the time you wake up until the opening face-off.
BM: Wake up early to read the paper and eat breakfast. Go to the shoot around; beat Ray Guze in shootout competition after the shoot around. From there I just like to relax and eat good pre game food. I’m very particular with what I eat on game day. I don’t like pre-game knaps. If we are in an opposing city, I typically like to walk around and check it out…otherwise I will just relax and watch tv or read until it is time to go to the area.
GM: Who was Brodie Merill’s lacrosse idol growing up?
BM: My older brother Patrick was and continues to be my idol in lacrosse. We have always pushed each other to get better. He plays with a great deal of heart, toughness, and character. He has always been my favorite teammate. He brings out the best in me and I think I bring out the best in him.
The Sanderson family also had a great influence on my lacrosse career. Similar to Jim Bishop in Whitby, the Sanderson family has really set the standard for the way lacrosse is played in Orangeville. They all have a great deal of passion for the game and continue to have an impact on the game at all levels.
GM: You were named to the All World Team, and the Worlds Best Defender in the 2006 Field Championships in London, Ontario. Describe that experience.
BM: The significance of the event really hasn’t sunk in yet. It was a big day for Canadian lacrosse, I just feel very fortunate to have contributed to it.
GM: Describe your time playing Field Lacrosse for the Hoyas of Georgetown and what you feel you have learned the most from it.
BM: Being a student-athlete at an institution like Georgetown was the best experience of my life. I had the opportunity to push myself academically, play lacrosse for one of the best programs in the nation, and experience life in the most powerful city in the world. It is hard to pinpoint just one specific thing that I learned in my time there. It was just a time where I was really able to grow and mature as a person.
GM: The NLL has really gained exposure in the last few years. Where do you see the game 10 years from now, and where do you see yourself?
BM: It is hard to say where the game will be in 10 years. Currently the game is at a very exciting point. I think we are on the verge of becoming a major sport in North America and internationally.
Hopefully in ten years I will still be playing the game. Regardless, I will be involved in the game at some capacity, whether it is coaching at The Hill Academy in Orangeville or the NLL, I want to be involved in the game for the rest of my life.
GM: What is the one accomplishment, championship or personal award you are most proud of?
BM: I would say graduating from Georgetown. I just felt like it was the culmination of all the work I put into school and lacrosse.
Ok so here are the fun questions for you that we ask all guests
GM: You are considered the best defender in the game, who is the toughest NLL player to defend?
BM: I would have to say John Grant Jr. He can beat you in so many ways…inside, outside, overhand, sidearm, underhand, behind his back….he is just one of those rare talents that come along in sport every once in a while.
GM: What is more invigorating for you, a big hit / stealing the ball, or scoring a big goal?
BM: I would stay stealing the ball from an opponent. I try to make the defensive position fun to play. Throwing stick checks is a way for defensemen to show some creativity and a make the position fun and exciting.
GM: Field Lacrosse or Box Lacrosse; if you could only pick one it would be……
BM: Box Lacrosse. I have really come to love the field game, but my heart will always be in the box game.
GM: What is your favourite NLL Arena to play in (not including the Rose Garden)?
BM: I like playing in Philadelphia. The fans are really passionate and a lot of my friends from school live in that area so it feels like a little bit of a reunion….also, we are 2-0 there!
GM: When people mention Brodie Merrill the one thing you want them to say is……
BM: He plays the game with a great deal of passion and intensity.
GM: Brodie, thank you for your time.
BM: Thank you.
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Great interview! An excellent player with a lot of heart. Congratulations on all your accomplishments!