thanks to Megan Danner , Director, Public Relations & Operations – Florida Launch for this write up   Florida Launch attackman Casey Powell was named The Palm Beach County Sports Commission Professional Athlete of the Year after a historic 2014 season with the Launch. He received his award this past Sunday at the Palm Beach County Hall of Fame Banquet in front of a room full of Hall of Famers and incredible athletes from all different sports. After Vice President and General Manager of ESPN West Palm Steve Politziner announced Powell as the award recipient, Powell took the stage to bring the Florida Launch front and center in people’s minds. “People always say Jim Brown is the best lacrosse player to ever play but I say the best lacrosse players are the players that are playing here in South Florida on the Florida Launch – those are some of the best lacrosse players in the world. And they are right here for all of you to enjoy!” Powell went on to educate the audience that included Hall of Famer and legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, former Oakland Raiders Derrick Crudup Sr. and former Kansas City Royals Pete Dunn, about the fastest growing sport in the country and what they can find in their own backyard of Palm Beach County with the Launch.  

  Powell, who became the first ever lacrosse player to receive this award, was humbled by the honor and thanked his family, friends and teammates. He thanked them for helping him get to where he is today and helping him continue his dream of playing the sport he so dearly loves. “It’s an incredible feeling to play in front of my family and friends in Florida and represent this state at the highest level. Receiving this award is a great honor and I dedicate this honor to my Florida Launch teammates and the great sport of lacrosse.” At 38 years old, Powell entered into his 11th Major League Lacrosse season in 2014 and dominated an extremely young and competitive league. Powell ended the season as the MLL’s leading scorer with 63 total points and with this became the MLL’s all-time leader for points with 468. Because of his historic season, Powell was voted as the MLL’s 2014 Warrior Offensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career and 2014 Coca-Cola Most Valuable Player, making him the oldest MLL player to win both. “After his legendary performance this past season with the Launch I’m not surprised Casey has received this prestigious honor,” said Launch Head Coach Stan Ross. “He had an unbelievable year for us, especially at age 38. He is the kind of player you want on your team on and off the field. We couldn’t have asked for anything more from him in our inaugural season and congratulate him on being named professional athlete of the year by the Sports Commission.”  

  Powell has not only created a legacy in the MLL but also at Syracuse University where he attended from 1995 to 1998. There he was a four-time All-American and set the Orangemen scoring record of 287 points. To round out his lacrosse tenure, Powell was selected to represent the United States during the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship and led the U.S. Men’s National Team as captain to a silver finish. “You couldn’t ask for a better ambassador to the sport of lacrosse or for the state of Florida than Casey Powell,” said Launch President Brian Clinton. “Casey is an unbelievable athlete who continues to prove to everyone why he is one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time. Being recognized by the Sports Commission is a great honor for him and well-deserved.”