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News Release

MEN'S LACROSSE PROGRAM SIGNS SIX STUDENT-ATHLETES TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

11/30/2004

UMBC Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Don Zimmerman has announced that six prospective student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the university in the fall of 2005.

Five of the six future Retrievers hail from the state of Maryland. They are midfielder Bobby Atwell (Dunkirk, Md./Southern HS), goalkeeper Jeremy Blevins (Cockeysville, Md./Calvert Hall College), midfielder Michael Burch (Silver Spring, Md./Good Counsel HS), attackman Eric Gurnsey (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville HS), and midfielder Alex Hopmann (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis HS). The other fall signee is defenseman Mike Ims, who comes to UMBC from Ballston Spa, New York (Saratoga Springs HS).

Atwell is a 6’1”, 185-pound midfielder who competes in both football and lacrosse at Southern. He has earned All Anne Arundel County honors in lacrosse. “Bobby is a tremendous athlete with unlimited potential,” said Coach Zimmerman.

Blevins is a 5’6”, 135-pound All Metro netminder for the Cardinals of Calvert Hall. He has also lettered in soccer. “Jeremy is one of the premier goalkeeper recruits in the country,” according to Coach Zimmerman.

At 5’10” and 155 pounds, Burch earned All WCAC honors for his play at midfield. “Michael is an opportunistic player with excellent potential,” said Coach Zimmerman.

An All Baltimore County attackman, Gurnsey will not have to travel far to trade in his blue and gold Catonsville colors to the black and gold of UMBC. He is a 5’8”, 160-pound “athletic all-around attackman”  and also lettered in football for the Comets.

Hopmann is a “dangerous offensive threat,” according to Coach Zimmerman. The 5’10”, 155-pound student-athlete earned All Anne Arundel County honors as a junior at Annapolis and has earned letters in soccer as well. 

Ims is 6’0” and 180 pounds and this dual sport athlete competes in ice hockey as well as lacrosse. He was a member of the 2004 Adirondack Region Empire State team in lacrosse. “Mike is a gifted athlete with excellent range and ability,” said Zimmerman.

"Our coaching staff is excited about this group of student-athletes,” said Coach Zimmerman. “Throughout the recruiting process we have been extremely impressed with the quality and character of these young men and look forward to working with them during their collegiate careers playing lacrosse here at UMBC."