FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2019
Staats is the first lacrosse athlete to be so honored
One of the rising stars of international and professional lacrosse, Austin Staats, has been selected as The World Games Athlete of the Month for January 2019.
Staats is the first lacrosse player ever to be so honored.
NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 02, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisc. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/AP Images for Panini)
In his rookie season with the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League, Staats is among the league leaders in points (31) and goals-scored (18). He has helped lead the Seals to a 4-2 record and first place in the NLL Western Division standings in this, the team’s inaugural season.
In January, Staats registered 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists) in San Diego’s 15-9 victory over Calgary, and he scored 2 goals in San Diego’s 11-10 win over Vancouver.
Last year, at the 2018 FIL World Championships in Israel, Staats scored 16 goals in helping Iroquois National Team secure the bronze medal. He was named to the All-World Team at the tournament.
“We would like to thank The World Games for recognizing the dedication, talent and accomplishments of one of the rising stars in men’s lacrosse, Austin Staats,” said Federation of International Lacrosse President Sue Redfern. “Equally, we extend our congratulations to Austin, his teammates and coaches with both the Iroquois Nationals and San Diego Seals.
Calgary Roughnecks at San Diego Seals 01.18.19
Mike McGinnis
01/18/2019
National Lacrosse League
“Austin’s performance in the 2018 FIL World Championship was a preview of the success he is now enjoying in his first season in the National Lacrosse League,” added Redfern. “For our sport to have an athlete recognized by The World Games is yet another important step in our ongoing efforts to expand awareness and participation in lacrosse worldwide.”
Austin Staats was the first player selected in the 2018 NLL Entry Draft.
Calgary Roughnecks at San Diego Seals 01.18.19
Mike McGinnis
01/18/2019
National Lacrosse League
“Austin is off to a great start. He has bought in to the culture and has learnt a lot from the veterans around him. We knew when we drafted him how NLL-ready he was, and now he’s proving it to the rest of the league. He’s a fierce competitor and a good teammate. We rely on him to be a difference-maker every week, even though he’s a young player, and he’s risen to that challenge so far,” said San Diego Seals’ General Manager and Head Coach Patrick Merrill.
The 20-year-old forward is originally from Six Nations, Ontario, Canada. He will receive The World Games Athlete of the Month diploma as well as a branded gift from the Official Sponsor of Athlete of the Month, Protective Life.
About Protective Life Corporation
Protective Life Corporation provides financial services through the production, distribution and administration of insurance and investment products throughout the U.S. The company traces its roots to the corporation’s flagship company, Protective Life Insurance Company – founded in 1907. Throughout its more than 110-year history, Protective’s growth and success can be largely attributed to its ongoing commitment to serving people and doing the right thing – for its employees, distributors, and most importantly, its customers. The company’s home office is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and its nearly 3,000 employees are located in offices across the United States. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had assets of approximately $91.8 billion. Protective Life Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (TSE:8750). For more information about Protective, please visit www.Protective.com
