Big Red senior attackman Rob Pannell was selected first overall in the National Lacrosee League’s annual collegiate draft, held on Friday, January 13 in Philadelphia. The 2011 National Player of the Year and Lt. Raymond Enners award winner was drafted by the Long Island Lizards.
Pannell is the first Cornell lacrosse player ever to be taken with the first overall pick.
Rob was one of four Big Red players taken in the draft, including Roy Land (11), Chris Langton (42), J.J. Gilbane (48). Only the University of Virginia (5) and University of North Carolina (5) were more represented.
Only senior athletes in their final year of collegiate eligibility qualified for the draft.
A former standout at Smithtown High School West on Long Island, Pannell’s former school is a mere 40 minute drive from the Lizard’s home stadium – James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University. This will be convenient, considering the average NLL player made $16,000 in 2009, and many are known to have second jobs, especially Ivy League graduates.
