May 4, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Former Army All-America attackman Jim Wagner, acquired by the San Francisco Dragons during the offseason, will participate in the Major League Lacrosse franchise's player training camp this weekend on the Golden Coast. Wagner is attempting to become the first Army lacrosse player to play professionally.
Wagner, currently a 2nd Lt., in the U.S. Army, is stationed at West Point serving as an athletic intern and working with Army's lacrosse team. His current duty schedule should allow the 2005 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy to participate in the Dragons' preseason training camps and dress for the regular-season later this summer.
"Talent-wise, the level should be pretty high," Wagner anticipated. "I just want to get out there and show them what I can do and try to live up to their expectations. The names of players joining me out there are pretty impressive."
Originally drafted by the Rochester Rattlers in 2005, Wagner is attempting to become the first Black Knight to appear in an MLL contest. Former teammates Tim Pearson and Jeff Bryan were both drafted after their senior years, but never dressed for a regular-season game. The expansion franchise is excited about the prospect of Wagner joining the squad in 2006.
"We are really high on Jimmy, and we are excited to see him come out here so we can see what he can do," Dragons' general manager Doug Locker said. "It looks like a great opportunity for both parties.
"After the (league's player pool draft for expansion clubs), we started to look at who was still available. We needed a strong left-hand shot. We were uncertain, considering his military commitment, but decided to take a chance."
"I'm sure the commitment scared off some people," Wagner responded. "That didn't surprise me. But, I think this is a great opportunity for the Army lacrosse program to gain some exposure. I'm looking to make this a multi-year experience. Hopefully, everything works out."
Wagner is ninth all-time at the Academy in scoring with 151 career points. He is tied for fifth all-time in goals scored with 118 and is one of only two Black Knights to post back-to-back 40-goal seasons, accomplishing the feat in his junior and senior seasons. The lefty with a rifle shot that is also deadly accurate was the team's offensive MVP in his final two years at West Point.
The San Francisco Dragons are conducting three training camps before the regular-season begins on May 28. This weekend's drill is the second such camp. With the roster currently at 35, the team must trim down to 23 active and three practice squad players by the middle of the month. Eight attackmen, of which Wagner is included, will be narrowed to five or six, according to Locker.