Brutality

Reason #1 that Brown is awesome: Brutality.

Two words: Providence Weather.

Photo by browngreensports.com

I know it may not seem that terrible to play sports in the winter, but I tell you from personal experience, it is. While other teams bask in the glory of their indoor playing facilities (ahem, Harvard), the Bears bask in the glory of being prepared for the beginning of the outdoor season.

To put things in perspective for those of you who aren't on the team, or didn't play lacrosse preseason in February in your lives, it is not fun. Five weeks (or less, depending on when your first game is) of cold, wet, snowy, icy pain. Imagine how brittle your fingers feel just walking to your car or work every day. Then, add a team of 38 barbaric boys whacking the living daylights out of your fingers, arms, bodies and every other part of your body they can find for three hours straight. Um...thanks, but no thanks.

Not only do they practice outside but these warriors tested outside too. A week before the NCAA allows these teams to legally practice beginning February 1st, the bears returned early from winter break for testing. On the agenda: leg press, squats, bench press, pull ups, sit ups, 300 yd shuttles, 1-mile relay, 2-mile run, 4.2 mile run, stick skills and one or two additional categories.

They have a team motto and it's called "Brown State." Here is an interview with senior face-off specialist and defensive midfielder, Joel Tracy, to explain more of what kind of Brutality the Bears have to offer.