Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at Virginia on March 23, 2026 , Loss , 7, to, 18
Final
Men's Lacrosse
at Virginia
7
18
Assist Man
4/13/2005 8:00:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
April 14, 2005
By Josh Kessler, Dartmouth Athletic Communications
Last summer, Dartmouth senior lacrosse player Ben Grinnell made a living doing one of his favorite things -- fly fishing.
Grinnell bided his time as a guide in Colorado, mostly taking small groups on day-long trips.
"It was definitely cool, just teaching people how to cast and catch fish," Grinnell said. He began fly fishing while at Dartmouth as a way to relax and get away from everything.
"I don't even care if I catch anything, I just want to be out there," Grinnell said. "It's just meditative being out on the river."
Born in Malibu, Calif., Grinnell moved at an early age to New York. For college, Grinnell decided to attend Dartmouth.
"I felt connected with the campus the moment I stepped on here," Grinnell said. "A bunch of guys on my recruiting trip actually are seniors now."
The Big Green qualified for its first NCAA tournament during Grinnell's sophomore year. He said Dartmouth's loss to Syracuse, which was played in the spacious Carrier Dome, was a blur.
Grinnell has remained a vital player for the Big Green, and this spring he shares captain duties with fellow seniors Pat Keeley and Adam White.
"I definitely enjoy it, take pride in it everyday," Grinnell said. "It's a tremendous responsibility."
Head coach Bill Wilson said Grinnell leads by example.
"Every day in practice, he comes to play hard, and in games, he comes to play hard," Wilson said. "He plays a physical brand of lacrosse, at times, like energizing the team with a big hit and bringing intensity. Rather than telling, he shows."
|
|
The second-year coach said Grinnell is a good role model for the Big Green players, and Grinnell's involvement with the Special Olympics has spread to his teammates.
Grinnell said he began bowling with the Upper Valley Special Olympics his freshman year.
"I knew I definitely wanted to give back, and I have been lucky to have found something I have been able to do for four years," Grinnell said. "Over the years, I have made some great friends who are inspiring. Bowling on Tuesdays is something I really look forward to."
Something else Grinnell looks forward to is his senior season. The Big Green went 0-6 in the Ivy League his freshman year, 5-1 the next and 3-3 last season. But, Grinnell said, this season will be different.
"I think we have the potential to run the table," Grinnell said. "We just need to get our ducks in a line. I've never been so excited for a season."
Grinnell had 15 total assists in his first two seasons before notching 22 helpers as a junior, the most by a Big Green player since 1997.
"I think assists are just as important as goals, if not more important," Grinnell said. "An assist is two people working together, where a goal could just be an individual effort." Thanks to many of those assists, Grinnell became the 18th member of Dartmouth's 100-point club last May 1, and the first since 1997.
After collecting 41 points and being named first team All-Ivy last spring for the second time, Grinnell was named last month to the Tewaaraton Trophy watch list, awarded each year to the top collegiate player.
"It's a great recognition," Grinnell said. "As much as it is an individual award, I'm a midfielder -- I run on a midfield line, and it's just a testament to the two guys I run with as it is to myself."
Grinnell is paired with juniors Brad Heritage and Alex Hufnagel, and he considers the trio one of the strongest midfield lines in the country.
Meanwhile, Wilson considers Grinnell an integral part of the team.
"Ben brings consistency at midfield and a competitive spirit," Wilson said. "He would be a pivotal player to lose."
On and off the field, Grinnell has shown Wilson strong character."First and foremost, he is a good person who lives his life the right way," Wilson said.
Players Mentioned
Men's Lacrosse Postgame vs Cornell 4-18-26
Saturday, April 18
Men's Lacrosse Postgame vs Yale 4-4-26
Saturday, April 04
Men's Lacrosse Postgame Media Availability vs Penn 3.28.26
Saturday, March 28
Men's Lacrosse at Boston University Postgame 2.15.26
Sunday, February 15
