Ryan Powell (born February 23, 1978, West Carthage, New York) is a four-time All-American lacrosse player at Syracuse University and was on the US national team roster in 2006 and 2010.

Background

Powell did not begin playing organized lacrosse until he was in the seventh grade. He is the middle brother of three lacrosse-playing brothers, younger than Casey but older than Michael.^[1][2] He attended Carthage Senior High School where he was the quarterback for the football team and played on the lacrosse team.^[1] In 1996, Powell chose to attend Syracuse University, following his brother Casey.

At Syracuse, he was a four-time All-American (his brother Casey was also a four-time All-American). After his college career he was drafted third in the 2000 MLL draft. He currently plays for the Boston Blazers of the National Lacrosse League (indoor lacrosse) and the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse (outdoor). Powell owns and operates both Rhino Lacrosse and Powell Lacrosse.^[3] He was sponsored by Warrior Lacrosse with his brother Casey up until 2004-2005. After leaving Warrior, Ryan is now a prominent figure and representative for Brine Lacrosse. Still living in Oregon, Powell's entire income comes solely from lacrosse.^[4]

Professional career

MLL

Powell has played in Major League Lacrosse since 2001. He played for the Rochester Rattlers from 2001 to 2005, and the San Francisco Dragons in 2006 and 2007. In 2001 Powell earned MVP for the 2001 MLL season. In 2006, Powell was awarded both the Major League Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year Award and the MVP. He is the second lacrosse player to receive the MVP award twice, (John Grant Jr. did as well (NLL: '07, '12 MLL: '07, '08)). Prior to the 2008 MLL season, the San Francisco Dragons traded Powell to the Denver Outlaws in exchange for draft picks.^[5] He, Casey, and Mike all sat out for the 2009 MLL season, as they did not report to their respective teams by the contract deadline.^[6] This was Powell's first season sitting out, while it was Casey's second, and Mike's third.

NLL

Powell also plays indoor lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League with the Boston Blazers.

Team USA

Powell competed in the World Lacrosse Championships in 2006, and 2010.^[1] In 2006 the USA fell to Canada. He was the captain of 2010 team, which won the Gold medal.^[7]

Coaching career

In 2004, he helped take Syracuse University to another National Championship while being an assistant coach.^{[citation needed]}

In 2005, Powell founded Rhino lacrosse in Portland, Oregon.^{[citation needed]}

In 2021, Powell was named the head coach for Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse.^[8][9]

Accolades and awards

High school accolades

• All American
• 2x Empire State team member
• 5th All-time leading scorer in New York State High school history
• 244 Goals, 185 Assists, 429 Points

College accolades

• Tied for 2nd all-time for scoring in Syracuse Lacrosse History (287 points)
• Winner of the Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award as the Division I National Player of the Year
• Winner of the Lt. Col. Jack Turnbull Award as the Division I National Attackman of the Year in 2000.

Professional accolades

• 2001 MLL MVP
• 2006 MLL MVP
• 2006 MLL Offensive Player of the Year
• 2008 MLL All Star Game MVP
• Rochester Rattlers All Time Leading Scorer
• 6 x MLL All Star

He was the first player in MLL history to earn both the Offensive Player of the Year and Bud Light MVP awards in the same season.

In 2018, Powell was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.^[10]

Statistics

NLL

MLL

NCAA

^(a) 17th in NCAA Division I career assists

^(b) 10th in NCAA Division I career points

Other

He is the first fully endorsed Nike lacrosse athlete.^{[citation needed]}