Mammoth debut for Wittig
Former St. Catharines Athletic Jeff Wittig recently made his NLL debut with the Colorado Mammoth. PHOTOS BY: JACK DEMPSEY, NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE.
Jeff Wittig couldn’t have dreamed of a more auspicious professional lacrosse debut.
The 21-year-old St. Catharines native began the season on the practice roster with the Colorado Mammoth before being activated recently for a game versus San Diego.
The former St. Catharines Athletic made the most of his chance, collecting two goals and two assists in a 13-11 loss.
“I went to camp and made the practice roster and was travelling with the team. I finally got my opportunity to get into a game and I didn’t take it for granted, that’s for sure,” Wittig said.
Wittig’s debut came in Colorado before a big crowd on Colorado State Night.
“It was surreal. It was honestly a dream come true,” he continued. “To play in it was incredible. We had over 15,000 people there. I was ecstatic out there. Running through the tunnel out there was pretty crazy.”
Wittig said his time on the practice roster helped him prepare for the jump to the National Lacrosse League.
“It was good. Watching the game and interacting and practicing with the players every week and getting inside scoops from them and the coaches,” he said. “All the boys have been a big help and I have a lot more to show for it.”
Former A’s Ian Llord and Dan Coates are also members of the Mammoth.
Wittig said he made sure to try and not let the situation overwhelm him.
“You’re unsure. It’s a big step,” he admitted. “It’s faster and quicker and you have to be thinking before you get the ball. I always believed in myself that I could play there if I pushed myself.
“I had a positive mindset the whole time I was on the practice roster and was thinking when I got my shot I didn’t want to go out there and be nervous. I wanted to go out there and show them I belong here.”
Wittig, who works for with former A’s captain Dan Bowman at Niagara Fitness, flies back and forth each week for games. The Mammoth are in Vancouver this weekend.
“It’s a grind. If you love the sport you’re going to do it and I love it,” he said. “I don’t mind it. It takes a lot out of you but it’s part of growing the game and hopefully one day we make that kind of money to be a full time player.”
He also appreciates his employers who are well aware of the demands of working full time and playing pro lacrosse.
“They are very good and allow me to leave and are very understanding. I’m very thankful to them for allowing me to do this.”
Wittig also plans to play summer lacrosse in Brooklin. The Redmen recently selected him as their first pick in the Major Series Lacrosse draft.
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