Syracuse, N.Y. -- The leadership group of the Syracuse lacrosse team told star attack Chase Scanlan that if he tries to practice with the team, players will walk out of practice, according to Scanlan’s high school coach.
Scanlan relayed that update to Rob Genco on Tuesday evening. That came hours after Scanlan returned from a suspension to rejoin the team, only to meet resistance from many players.
Syracuse head coach John Desko arranged for Scanlan to work out on his own, and Genco said Scanlan later tried to plead his case in a late afternoon meeting with the team’s captains.
Genco said Scanlan was unsure how the situation will be resolved and whether he will remain on the team and continue to practice on his own. The Orange visits Notre Dame on Saturday, and while he could travel with the team, his playing status is also unclear.
Scanlan, a sophomore All-American who wears the Orange’s fabled No. 22, leads the team with 24 goals.
Genco, who coached Scanlan at Silver Creek High School outside of Buffalo, suggested the situation is beyond repair and told Scanlan he should explore a transfer.
“‘It seems like (the school has) moved on. I think you have to make another decision here,’” Genco said he told Scanlan. “I think the writing’s on the wall.”
Scanlan was suspended indefinitely last week for what Inside Lacrosse reported was an incident following an April 17 loss against North Carolina. He was reinstated on Monday.
Syracuse has five captains: redshirt senior midfielder Peter Dearth, redshirt junior midfielder Brendan Curry, redshirt senior midfielder Jamie Trimboli, sixth-year attackman Stephen Rehfuss and senior goaltender Drake Porter. It is unclear who or how many conveyed this ultimatum to Scanlan, and it’s unclear why the players don’t want him at practice.
Several messages were left for Desko and Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack through the school’s sports information department seeking comment. The school would only confirm Scanlan remains on the team. Desko is scheduled to address reporters Wednesday afternoon.
Scanlan transferred to Syracuse from Loyola two seasons ago. He had originally committed to SU out of IMG Academy in Florida but then switched to Loyola when the Orange’s financial aid package didn’t meet his needs.
Scanlan was immediately dominant, leading all Division I freshmen midfielders with 43 goals and earning Inside Lacrosse second-team All-American status. But he said he felt unwelcome at Loyola, excluded from team activities by some players in what he described as a divided locker room.
Genco still defends Scanlan and has said the player has told him, without discussing specifics, that the incident that has landed him in trouble was “nothing but it’s become something.” Genco said when he told Scanlan he should think about another school, Scanlan said he didn’t want to transfer again.
“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard of. He’s on the team, but the guys don’t want him on the team,” Genco said. “I honestly believe Chase doesn’t know what’s going on. I think he’s still hanging onto hope that he can still be a part of the team.”
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