They say the only thing harder than making the playoffs is raising a child!
With so many newborns popping up in every corner of the National Lacrosse League, these new parents certainly have their work cut out for them as we near the end of the regular season. But with these newfound challenges, players and their families welcoming newborns have discovered new motivations, new inspirations to be the best and new examples to set.
For many players, parenthood came with a higher calling: the realization that they were no longer suiting up for just themselves or their cities. Players welcoming their first child, especially, admitted they felt a surreal sense of newfound purpose or motivation.
“He came on a Saturday morning and then Wednesday night came before I even knew it,” said Church, recalling the initial absurdity and speed at which his life had changed and resumed. “I was like ‘holy crap, I have to pack and travel and leave my wife.’ You feel a little guilty.”
But despite the turnaround, he found the support he and his family needed the second he landed on home turf.
“When I walked in the locker room, there were a lot of hugs from the guys and congratulations,” he said. “It was nice to see how excited they were for me and Deborah.”
Fellow Rush player Frank Scigliano also welcomed his first child to the Rush family this season, and with the support of their teammates and coaching staff, has been able to accustom himself to the life of a new parent who is a traveling athlete.
“The coaching staff, [Quinlan] and [Tallevi] both have young kids and have been excited to share tips and whatnot,” said Church. “And the conversations with [Scigliano] about what we’ve been going through, it’s been fun to share that with him.”
Even with a team-wide support net, becoming a new parent is still a jarring experience, one that even the most seasoned parents can confirm.
“We actually had to miss a game because we didn’t know if she was going to be due that day,” said Halifax Thunderbirds’ transition Colton Armstrong, who also welcomed a son. “That was a scary moment and I think that’s when it finally settled in that lacrosse is second and my kid is first.”
“You could call [my son] a curse because I had to miss that game,” Currier joked. In the Lover’s Weekend upset, the Seals took Buffalo to overtime and gave the Bandits their first loss. Playing a back-to-back two-game series, the rematch was slated for San Diego the following weekend.
Much to the Curriers’ surprise (or perhaps, lack thereof), after making the trip back out West, Eva’s water broke the morning of the game. “The one date on the calendar that wouldn’t work was the 22nd, and of course, he picked that day,” Currier laughed. Though the Seals gave up game two without him on the bench, the arrival of the Curriers’ first child brought with him good fortune through the remainder of the season. “After that, we got on a hot streak and started winning a bunch of games, so I guess you could call him a good luck charm.”
Players across the League, both new and seasoned parents, found a new or revitalized sense of purpose.
“I’m thinking about him, you know, you’re playing for someone else,” said Church. “I’m trying to make him proud, even though he doesn’t really know anything yet.”
“I think that hit even before walking into the locker room, just walking out of the hospital when number one was born,” said Colorado Mammoth goalkeeper Dillon Ward. The Wards happily welcomed their second child to the Mammoth family this season. When his first was born, Ward had a PLL home game in Denver, and had to leave the hospital for practice at the University of Denver. “On that drive, it hit me: ‘wow, this is more than just for me and my wife.’”
For seasoned parents in the League, the arena life has provided them the opportunity to share key experiences at home and on the road with their kids.
Evans became a father in 2019 and raised his two kids in the arena.
Now welcoming their third into the world, Evans has made a considerable effort to share his professional athletic experiences with his children, including Knighthawks home games and nights spent in hotels on the road.
“I wanted to be able to play for my kids; for them to be able to watch me and enjoy watching me, and to see what I do for part of my living.”
In other corners, raising a child in the League is a promise of continued dedication and excellence, on and off the field. Rochester goalkeeper Riley Hutchcraft has spent extensive time around locker room parents since his drafting by the Toronto Rock in 2017. His experiences with former teammates such as Paul Dawson have held him to a higher personal standard as a parent and a player.
“Seeing how they act around the dressing room and how they love their kids, that’s something I wanted to [emulate] when I grew up,” said Hutchcraft. Now the father of two healthy children, he hopes to share his professional successes with them as they grow up, inspiring them to pursue their own passions. “It adds a little bit of extra motivation. You want to make [your team] proud as much as you want to make your family proud.”
Jamieson is a teammate he credits as being the template for his approach to fatherhood in the arena.
“I look up to Jamieson, I see him in the stands before games, and he always FaceTimes the kids [on the road],” said Armstrong. Jamieson’s dedication and connection to his family inspired Armstrong to do the same, who has made chatting with his wife and son an integral part of his gameday ritual. “I’m just happy to see his face, this whole season now I’ve been playing for him,” said Armstrong. “It’s so cool to have the little guy in the stands, or back at home watching me.”
“I’ve been a father for five years now. I think going from two to three [kids], there hasn’t been much change,” said Evans, noting that his gameday motivations have remained the same as his children have grown up. “[We’re] just trying to do the same things with the kids even though we just threw another one in the mix.”
Their situation, as with many other players’ families, presents its own set of challenges on the home front, rather than on the field.
“It is very, very busy around the house, so you have to learn how to let a couple of things go,” said Hutchcraft, a rare thing for a goalie to admit, especially given the job description. Despite the irony, Hutchcraft also credits his becoming a father to his gradual change in game day mentality, providing a sense of calm that has translated into the locker room and onto the floor. The Knighthawks’ “business-as-usual” mindset, as well as the support of their loved ones, has allowed them the opportunity to focus on the games in front of them, contributing to their six-game hot streak and clinched postseason appearance. “It’s great to have [my wife’s] support, to have her taking care of them while… I’m out on the road,” said Evans.
Rather than a change in their gameday motivations, some players have developed something similar to a boxer’s-style mentality regarding the competitive nature of their sport.
“Whether I have a big win, or a tough loss like [against Saskatchewan], when I come home, my kids don’t know what’s going on,” Ward laughed. “They don’t care, they’re just happy to see dad, and that’s made it a little bit easier.” Fatherhood has changed his perspective on riding the highs and lows after games, instead shifting his focus to playing his best and getting home. “Seeing my family and seeing a smile on all my kiddos’ faces means the world to me,” said Ward.
As their kids get older, each player hopes to make a lasting impact beyond the wins and losses and set a positive example for their children. Whether it’s through fostering resilience, leading by example, or showing them that success comes by taking the long road, each player hopes to pass on the lessons and wisdom to their kids.
“The biggest thing I think I’ve been told by my dad, my grandpa, and from mentors of mine is just never give up,” said Armstrong. “I took the long road, and that’s kind of a bumpy road, but hopefully he sees that and takes that inspiration and follows in his dad’s footsteps.”
“Go out and always work your hardest, be a good teammate and don’t be result-oriented,” said Currier. “Just focus on doing your best individually, and hopefully you can contribute to your team’s success.”
THE ABSOLUTE AUDACITY OF ZACH CURRIER 😱@SealsLax pic.twitter.com/vtjst4pDyo
— NLL (@NLL) March 16, 2025
They also hope to emphasize the importance of hard work, dedication and perseverance in their children’s lives. They want to encourage their children to put in the effort, and to embrace challenges and struggles as part of the process.
“I just want to make sure that whatever they’re into, whether it’s sports or academics or arts or whatever it is, that they’re just all in on it, and they enjoy the grind,” said Ward. “When things might not seem like they’re going their way, I want them to know that what they put into it is what they’re gonna get out of it.”
But above all, these parents and players want to emphasize enjoying the journey.
“I definitely don’t want to be one of those crazy parents pushing them to do anything,” said Church. “If you love what you’re doing, you’ll put the time in, put in the work and improve upon yourself.” Enjoying the process, whether it’s playing sports, learning or working hard, and putting in the work for the love of the game rather than worrying about the results will always lead you down the right path.
“Just have fun, that’s the main thing.”
