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http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-740580.html

3 former Duke lacrosse players drafted by pro teams

EXCERPTS

DURHAM -- Two days after he had hoped to play for a national championship, former Duke lacrosse player Matt Zash finally got an opportunity to play the game he loves on a competitive level.

Zash and two former teammates, Kyle Dowd and Dan Flannery, took part in workouts hours before the Major League Lacrosse college draft. All three were selected in Wednesday night's draft, and Zash could make his professional debut as early as Saturday when his Philadelphia Barrage faces the New Jersey Pride.

(snip)

Meanwhile, Zash recognizes that he didn't lose nearly as much as some of his teammates.

David Evans, who graduated in May, and sophomores Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann still await their court date on charges of first-degree rape, sexual offense and kidnapping.

"They're strong individuals, and I'm confident they'll land on their feet," Zash said.

He declined to say whether he attended the March 13 party.

"I know this will blow over and they'll be found innocent," he said. "We're communicating frequently, and they're doing the best they can with it. They have unbelievable support because we all know it could have been any one of us who got picked in this lottery."

Zash, who ranked second on the team with 14 goals during Duke's 6-2 start, said he thought that the Duke program on the whole would bounce back.

"I'm very confident that they'll play [next season]," he said. "I hope and pray that they'll consider reinstating Coach Pressler, but I don't know how likely that is."

With 3 close-to-20 year olds, I always find it amazing how oblivious they are to the impact of what they do or don't do. Of course, when I was 20 I always thought ahead and carefully considered all my actions.
In this instance, however, this guy has to be really numbnuts. Let's hope that he lawyers up and that he was not at the party - I would hate to see Nifong get the kid to perjure himself to avoid a DUI and possession charge.

What you say is extremely true. All of the Duke Lacrosse team must understand that if they don't toe the line, their behavior could impact the lives of the three who were picked to take it for the team. It is so hard to tell kids who for some strange reason believe they are invincible, that the rules of engagement have changed. What one might have been forgiven as youthful indiscretion in days gone by might now place you and all those you love in peril. Even a righteous expression of indignation today -- directed in just the wrong tone of voice -- can have ramifications beyond any hell you can imagine. An innocent gesture can destroy a life. Teach you children to be on guard -- it is not a benevolent world anymore. Teach children to trust in God, stand for what is right, make a conscious decision to never let the world dictate what they are and who they must become. We used to call it breeding. Now, I call it survival. I love children. I want them to survive -- not just mine -- but every little face I see as I drive by on my way to work, I pray for their safety and protection. I hope my drive-by prayers will keep from them what we as a family have suffered. Finally, you guys have done a great job while I was away yesterday. Focus on facts, not speculation. That's all that can help the three chosen sacrifices.