Player Spotlight

Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard.



03/16/02

"This is the end of an era in lacrosse" said Steve Govett of the Washington Power. In a 12 season career that followed three NCAA Championship seasons at Syracuse University, a career that lists him among the top three all-time in goals, points and shots coming into the season, Washington Power's Paul Gait had a few words with PLPA correspondent David Unkle following a 12-11 loss to the Philadelphia Wings in his last regular season game in Philadelphia. Paul retires at the conclusion of the Power's season.




Question How does it feel to be revered in the same category as Wayne Gretzky, Cal Ripken, or Michael Jordan, as the premier player in your sport?
Answer I'll tell you…it would feel a lot better if I were making that kind of money.


Question What impact have you made on the league throughout your career?
Answer I don't know what kind of impact I made [on the league], I just go out there everyday and try and do my job. I'm out there trying to play offense; I used to be out there trying to play offense and defense but now I'm pretty much an offensive player…I just go out there to try and score goals and make the offense happen.


Question How has the league changed since your career began?
Answer I've been involved in a lot of the changes in the league over the years…it's no longer a single owner entity, there are individual owners, there's lots of growth. I think that the biggest thing I've seen is the growth over the last three or four years.


Question Describe what it's been like playing alongside your brother Gary.
Answer I always think it great to play with some kid that you grew up with. He's a heck of a player, he draws a lot of attention and that can only help another guy on his line.


Question So who do you see as the up and coming players in the league?
Answer There are a lot of good young kids out there, way too many to name. There will be plenty of talent.


Question What do you plan to do after you retire from professional lacrosse?
Answer The same thing I do everyday now, this is a part time job playing professional lacrosse. We all have careers; I'm out there working my sixty hours a week in a regular job.


Question What has it been like playing in your final season?
Answer It's been pretty consistent for me. It's one of my most consistent seasons as far as production. I treated it like a job and a job that I don't have many chances to do...I just go out there and play every game like it's my last.


Question How about some final thoughts for your fans across the league?
Answer I just hope that the fans come out and continue to support the league over the years. I imagine that after I retire, I'll be involved somewhere down the line in the league...maybe a year or two out, but I hope to see the fans again.


PLPA Correspondent

David W. Unkle is the host of The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show aired on WNJC 1360-AM...Philadelphia's Renaissance Radio Station every Sunday from 4:30-5:30 PM (Eastern Time). The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show brings local and national sports figures of yesterday and today to the airwaves highlighting both the professional and personal dimensions.

David also is a Staff Writer for South Jersey Sports On-Line (www.SJSports.com) covering the Philadelphia Wings. A former semi-professional football player and ice-hockey enthusiast, David covers the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), Trenton Titans (ECHL) and Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (ECHL).

You can write to David at: dunkle@sjsports.com