TJ Malone ready to lead the future of Penn State men’s lacrosse
“Leadmon snakes around the crease, inside rollllll, Leadmon, if it’s good Duke wins. The Blue Devils win it! Garrett Leadmon, the game-winner.”
Anish Shroff’s masterful palette of words echoed across televisions worldwide, but on Lincoln Financial Field, there was an eerie silence for all Penn State lacrosse fans.
A clear crease violation occurred on the field, but due to no replay review or coach’s challenges in NCAA Lacrosse games, Duke won the game.
The NCAA released a new rule change almost two months later because of this specific goal that altered the course of the college lacrosse season.
The new rule allows for coach's challenges and instates replay review in all competitions.
Along with the new rule being announced, some more exciting news has been headlined for Penn State Lacrosse fans this summer. Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year TJ Malone announced he is returning for his final year of eligibility.
When asked about the new rules, Malone was unsure how it would affect the game.
“It is just a new rule that got changed, and I’m not really sure how it will affect each game,” Malone said.
Although Malone did not have much to say about the new changes there is nothing but excitement for the Graduate Student who will receive his Master of Business Administration from the Smeal College of Business at the end of the year.
The decision to return was tough for Malone because he had a chance to try to play lacrosse professionally after being invited to training camp for Chaos LC of the PLL.
“The minute I touched the field at training camp, I would’ve lost eligibility for this upcoming season,” Malone said. “Unfortunately, I could not go.”
Malone mentioned that earning his MBA wasn’t his only motivation for returning to Happy Valley.
“I’ve had four surgeries since being at school and missed a lot of time,” Malone said. “Having the chance to educate and mold some of the younger players to leave the lacrosse program better than I found it was something I could not skip out on.”
During his freshman year at The Haverford School, Malone was taken under the wing by former Penn State Attackmen Grant Ament when Ament was a senior at Haverford.
The relationship carried on when Ament told coach Jeff Tambroni about Malone during Malone’s senior season resulting in Malone switching his commitment from Amherst to Penn State.
Malone paid homage to the players who came before him when he spoke to the media on Friday afternoon.
“Matt Lazaro and Kyle Lehman are two guys that I think of off the bat because they are lefty attackmen,” Malone said. “I would love to just pour everything I can into them and help the future of Penn State Lacrosse.”
Malone is working lacrosse camps with United States National Team players who just won a gold medal in the World Lacrosse Games in San Diego.
Not only are the young guys on his mind, but transfer Sean Donnelly is someone Malone is looking forward to suiting up with.
“I’ve heard nothing but great things about Sean, and he’s a really good player,” Malone said. “I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Molding younger players and being a great leader isn’t the only thing on Malone’s mind. His own personal growth and play are also a major focus for being back in blue and white.
The ultimate goal for Malone and Penn State is a National Championship, and with his leadership and willingness to do everything it takes to make the entire team better, there is a good chance the blue and white return to Memorial Day Weekend.
“Part of my hesitancy for not coming back was just, ‘Oh man, we had such a great year.’ But I think that is a cowardly answer.” Malone said, “I want to be able to try. If I failed trying to win a National Championship this year, I would be happy. I would regret not trying to win a National Championship when I had the eligibility in my future life.”
Hayden Lewis is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email lewis1818hayden@gmail.com.
